The Daily Strengthening – Humiliation Saves from Death

Sunday, 28th of Adar II, 5784

Esther grew up her entire life without a father or mother; she only danced with Hashem (G-d), she only prayed to Hashem, she only saw Hashem.

Mordechai was her guardian, and eventually, he married her; she only saw Hashem. When she arrived at the house of idols in the palace of Ahasuerus, she said, "My G-d, my G-d, why have You forsaken me?" (Psalms 22:2).

Why? Because she called Ahasuerus a dog! "Save my soul from the sword, my only one from the hand of the dog" (Psalms 22:21). After Esther called him a dog, Hashem, may He be blessed, said: I intended for him to die, but you called him a dog and humiliated him.

Even if it is only between her and herself, any humiliation (bizayon) caused to a person makes them liable for death. The humiliation saves him from death, in the aspect of 'raglin' (feet/lowest levels), for Esther represents 'raglin'; Esther is the height of 'hester' (hiddenness).

It is written in Likutey Halachos (Yoreh Deah, Part 2) that Esther is comprised of all people. Esther includes all people; every woman has a spark of Queen Esther, and all the righteous women in the world are sparks of Queen Esther.

For Mordechai was a gilgul (reincarnation) of Moshe (Moses), the Yesod (foundation) of Moshe, and Moshe is above mazal (luck/fate), above nature.

"What has been is what will be" (Ecclesiastes 1:9); the main thing is to bind oneself and be included in that which is "above time." Purim is above time; therefore, all the festivals will be nullified in the future except for Purim.

Moshe died in Adar because Adar is the final month. Therefore, we intercalate (add) Adar II, because through Adar II, we merit to see above time, the aspect of Moshe.

Haman the wicked, yimach shemo (may his name be blotted out), did not know that Moshe was also born on the 7th of Adar. Moshe was born and passed away on the same day. For Hashem wanted Moshe to die on Shavuot; Hashem (as it were) requested that he die on Shavuot. Hashem said to him: I want you to die on the day you were born, for that is the greatest segulah (spiritual remedy/virtue).

The day Moshe was born was the same day he died, and the main thing is that the soul of Moshe descended into the world. The moment he was born, the Geulah (Redemption) was already known. It is written, "For he had told them that he was a Jew" (Esther 3:4) — for Mordechai was literally Moshe, who is above time.

Therefore, Moshe died in Adar, because Adar II is above time.

And Esther came to the house of Ahasuerus, for Esther included all the women of all generations; she included all generations. Therefore, Esther subdued Ahasuerus, and therefore Mordechai was permitted to enter the house of Ahasuerus.

"She is the woman who fears Hashem" (Proverbs 31:30), who is comprised of all the women in the world. All of this is brought in Likutey Halachos (Milah 4, Section 24), that Esther includes all the women in the world until the end of all generations. She includes Miriam the Prophetess and everyone else.

Esther restored the 370 (Shin-Ayin) myriad lights; therefore, this is called a "deed" (ma'aseh), the 370 myriad lights.

Esther merited the level of "And if I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). She had to completely sacrifice herself (by entering the King's inner court without an invitation); she nullified herself entirely, reaching the absolute peak of bittul (self-nullification) possible.

Esther already knew: "Now I am already lost, it is over." She thought, "Now, from the day he knows I am a Jewess, he will hang me."

He will say to her, "What, you are a Jewess? Are you not ashamed? A despicable Jewess, a leper, trying to touch the King!"