Queen Esther’s Legacy of Faith

Purim is a profound testament to the unyielding faith we must place in the Almighty, the sovereign ruler of all existence. Though the Megillah itself omits explicit mention of G-d, this absence is a purposeful invitation—an impassioned call for us, as mere mortals, to peer beyond the veil of the ordinary and discern the divine hand orchestrating every moment, even when it remains concealed from our earthly eyes. On this sacred holiday, we commemorate the harrowing tale of Haman’s genocidal plot to eradicate the Jewish people, a scheme thwarted by the courage and unshakable emunah (faith) of Esther and Mordecai. Through their heroic intervention, King Ahasuerus was moved to nullify the wicked decree, empowering the Jews to rise in self-defense and triumph over their malevolent foes.

Mordecai’s refusal to bow before the vile Haman was not mere defiance—it was a blazing declaration of trust in the Almighty, a conviction that all would be rectified by divine will. Likewise, Esther, fortified by three days of fasting and fervent prayer, cast aside her fears and placed her life in peril. Unsummoned, she approached the king, unveiled her Jewish identity, and pleaded for the salvation of her people—a plea that resounded with success. Across the vast Persian Empire, Jews were granted the right to take up arms, securing not only a physical victory but a spiritual triumph that echoes through the ages.

At its core, the story of Esther unveils a timeless truth: no matter the trials we endure, our ultimate refuge lies in our faith in G-d, the transcendent force above nature itself, who wields the power to weave miracles into the fabric of our lives. In The Garden of Emunah, Rabbi Shalom Arush illuminates three ascending tiers of this sacred faith: first, the recognition that every event flows from Hashem’s divine providence; second, the belief that all He ordains is for our ultimate good; and third, the understanding that each divine act carries a purpose, urging us to seek the messages He imparts. Our very existence is a quest—a passionate pursuit to uncover Hashem in the rhythm of our daily lives and forge an intimate, enduring bond with Him. This we achieve through an unwavering awareness that G-d is ever-present, guiding every step, and even in life’s darkest trials, He sends us a tikkun—a soul correction—to elevate us to loftier spiritual heights.

As in the saga of Purim, G-d’s presence is not always overt. Yet, we are called to look beyond the surface, past the evil that rises to confront us, and hold fast to an unshakable certainty: when we anchor our faith in the Almighty, pour out our hearts in prayer, honor His commandments, and strive to bring goodness into the world, He will unfailingly be there guiding us for our ultimate good. This promise holds true not only in times of joy but also in moments of adversity (G-d forbid). Even when a modern Haman—a descendant of the evil Amalek—emerges to threaten our annihilation, we can rest assured that G-d harbors a plan and will teach, grow, and redeem us. Through our devotion to Him, we transcend our mortal bounds, ascending to the celestial realms to dwell in the radiant embrace of G-d’s divine holiness—our beloved Father, whose love and might know no end.