The Beginning of the Megillah Tells the Whole Story

“The beginning tells us what kind of story this is,” wrote Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in reference to the opening of the Chumash. In other words, at the very outset of a biblical story, we can already sense its central theme and narrative direction.

So too with the Megillah; just three words in – and it was in the days of Achashverosh— Rabbi Yehuda Lowe, the Maharal of Prague, states that we should buckle up, as we’re in for an unexpected ride.

Where does he see this indicated? From the fact that the Megillah does not immediately introduce Achashverosh as a king. Whenever an important character is introduced, especially royalty, we expect that the title of the character is introduced along with him or her. The fact that he’s not introduced as the king tells us immediately that we’re dealing with an unsavory and unpredictable character.

Not only that, but the fact that the word “king” is missing is additionally instructive. Kingship or governance represents order, stability, and coherence. By not emphasizing the royal title at the outset, the Megillah hints that the narrative itself will unfold in an unusual and unexpected way.

And as the story unfolds, we see exactly that; Achashverosh acts impulsively and uncharacteristically. What kind of king sentences his own subjects to death? It defies logic, especially since we see Achashverosh’s love of money throughout the story.

Additionally, at the beginning of the story, he sentences his wife to death at the urging of his most beloved advisor. At the end of the story, he does the opposite, sentencing his beloved advisor to death through the urging of his wife.

The Maharal calls Achashverosh a Melech Mepachpech, a king who turns this way and that, as if his head was on a swivel. This phrase gave me a new insight into the grogger; a grogger turns in the direction of the one who spins it. This is Achashverosh, spun in one way by Haman, and then in the opposite direction by Mordechai.

How could a story with such an unpredictable leader end up well for the Jews? Here our sages offer a critical insight; true the Megillah does not mention Hashem’s Name. Yet they teach that the phrase “HaMelekh,” The King, with the definite article, alludes to the true King. While Achashverosh appears inconsistent and malleable, the true King is behind the scenes, bringing order and salvation to a story of complete chaos.

I’m writing these words between sirens, going in and out of our safe room, amidst news of further victories, while listening to the loud booms of ballistic missiles being shot out of the sky. Just as in the Megillah, the death of Haman and his sons is not the end of the story, so too with Khamenei and his sons who were wiped out this past Shabbat morning.

The chaotic and unprecedented story of the Jewish people continues into these very uncertain moments. And the power of the Megillah is that it reminds us that the King is always present, even in a world that spins one way one day, and then its opposite the next. May we see the joyous completion of the story soon!