וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֔ם וְאַתָּ֖ה אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֣י תִשְׁמֹ֑ר אַתָּ֛ה וְזַרְעֲךָ֥ אַֽחֲרֶ֖יךָ לְדֹרֹתָֽם׃
Dieu dit à Abraham: "Pour toi, sois fidèle à mon alliance, toi et ta postérité après toi dans tous les âges.
Kohelet Rabbah
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
There was a time for Adam the first man to enter the Garden of Eden, as it is stated: “He placed him in the Garden of Eden” (Genesis 2:15). And there was a time to depart from there, as it is stated: “He banished the man…” (Genesis 3:24). There was a time for Noah to enter the ark, as it is stated: “Come…to the ark” (Genesis 7:1). And there was a time to emerge from there, as it is stated: “Emerge from the ark” (Genesis 8:16). There was a time for the [mitzva of] circumcision to be given to Abraham, as it is stated: “You shall observe My covenant” (Genesis 17:9). And there was a time for his descendants to be circumcised, [and for many] of them to be circumcised [at once. This occurred] in two places, once in Egypt and once in the wilderness, as it is stated: “All the people who departed were circumcised [and all the people born in the wilderness…were not circumcised]” (Joshua 5:5).1Joshua saw to their circumcision.
“And a time for every purpose under the heavens” – there was a time for the Torah to be given to Israel. Rav Beivai said: It was time for a certain thing that was located above the heavens to now be given under the heavens. What is that? It is the Torah, as it is stated: “God spoke all these matters, saying” (Exodus 20:1).
There was a time for Adam the first man to enter the Garden of Eden, as it is stated: “He placed him in the Garden of Eden” (Genesis 2:15). And there was a time to depart from there, as it is stated: “He banished the man…” (Genesis 3:24). There was a time for Noah to enter the ark, as it is stated: “Come…to the ark” (Genesis 7:1). And there was a time to emerge from there, as it is stated: “Emerge from the ark” (Genesis 8:16). There was a time for the [mitzva of] circumcision to be given to Abraham, as it is stated: “You shall observe My covenant” (Genesis 17:9). And there was a time for his descendants to be circumcised, [and for many] of them to be circumcised [at once. This occurred] in two places, once in Egypt and once in the wilderness, as it is stated: “All the people who departed were circumcised [and all the people born in the wilderness…were not circumcised]” (Joshua 5:5).1Joshua saw to their circumcision.
“And a time for every purpose under the heavens” – there was a time for the Torah to be given to Israel. Rav Beivai said: It was time for a certain thing that was located above the heavens to now be given under the heavens. What is that? It is the Torah, as it is stated: “God spoke all these matters, saying” (Exodus 20:1).
Esther Rabbah
“In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Aḥashverosh, he had cast a pur, that is, the lot, before Haman for each day and for each month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar” (Esther 3:7).
“In the first month, that is, the month Nisan” – it is taught: When the wicked Haman sought to eliminate Israel, he said: ‘How can I gain control over them? I will cast lots.’ The Holy Spirit cried out: “Over My people they cast lots” (Joel 4:3). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Wicked one son of wicked one, your lot is drawn to be hanged.’ “He cast a pur, that is [hu],11The midrash is claiming that pronoun hu refers to Haman: He cast a pur; upon him was the lot. the lot” – upon him the lot fell. Why? “Indeed, the rod of wickedness will not rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous extend their hands for wrongdoing” (Psalms 125:3).
First, he cast a lot for the days, as it is stated: “for each day.” He cast the lot on Sunday. Its [Sunday’s] angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The heavens and the earth were created on me [my day], and You said: “truly My covenant is day and night, have I not set the statutes of heaven and earth?” (Jeremiah 33:25). There is a covenant in their flesh, as it is written: “You shall observe My covenant [you and your descendants that are after you for their generations…circumcise for yourselves every male]” (Genesis 17:9–10), and it is written: “My covenant shall be in your flesh” (Genesis 17:13). And there is a covenant in their mouths, that is the Torah, as it is written: “The book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth” (Joshua 1:8). And You said: “If the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below probed…”( Jeremiah 31:37) and it is written: “[when these laws should ever be annulled before Me, says the Lord,] so too will the descendants of Israel cease from being a nation before Me all the days” (Jeremiah 31:35), and this wicked one seeks to eliminate them? Uproot the heavens and the earth first, and then annihilate them.’
He cast the lot on Monday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: On the second day you separated the upper waters from the lower waters, and likewise, Israel is separated from the nations. That is what is written: “I have distinguished you from the peoples to be Mine” (Leviticus 20:26), and this wicked one wants to eliminate them? Overturn the upper and the lower worlds and then annihilate them.’
He cast the lot and it fell on Tuesday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The third day – on it, seeds were created, from which Israel separates teruma and tithes, and on it trees were created, with which Israel lauds you. That is what is written: “You shall take for you on the first day: The fruit of a pleasant tree…”12The verse refers to the four species; a palm branch, an etrog, myrtle branches and willow branches, that are taken on Sukkot. (Leviticus 23:40). On it the waters were gathered into the sea [during Creation], and the sea split into twelve segments for Israel’s sake. Now, if Israel is eradicated, how do we exist?’
He cast the lot on Wednesday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The fourth day – on it the lights were created to provide light for Israel’s use; that is what is written: “Nations will walk by your light and kings by the aura of your shining” (Isaiah 60:3), and on it the stars were created, and your children were likened to stars; if You eliminate them, how do we exist?’
He cast the lot on Thursday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The fifth day – on it were created birds [and animals], from which you commanded to present offerings, and with which You grant atonement to and are reconciled with people; if they are eradicated, who will present an offering?’
He cast the lot on Friday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The sixth day – on it Adam the first man was created, and you called Your children by his name; that is what is written: “You, My flock, flock of My pasture, you are men [Adam]” (Ezekiel 34:31). If you seek to uproot them, uproot all men and then let him [Haman] gain control over them.’
He cast the lot on Shabbat. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The Shabbat day – on it all your creations were completed and perfected; that is what is written: “God completed on the seventh day” (Genesis 2:2), and it is written: “It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever” (Exodus 31:17). If you seek to uproot them, uproot the Shabbat and cancel it; then eliminate them.’
Once that wicked one saw that the lot would not fall on the days, he moved to months.
He began with the month of Nisan, and the merit of Passover arose.
Iyyar had the merit of Pesaḥ sheni,13This refers to the fourteenth of Iyyar, when those who had been impure or were too distant from the Temple on the fourteenth of Nisan, could present the Passover offering. and the merit of the manna that was provided to Israel on the fifteenth of the month.
Sivan had the merit of the Torah.
Tammuz had the merit of the land.14The allusion is obscure. It perhaps refers to the fact that Ezra came to the Land of Israel on the first of that month (Ezra 7:8-9). Alternatively, there are midrashic traditions that Joshua stopped the sun in his war with the five Emorite kings during that month (Seder Olam Rabba:11).
Furthermore, why didn’t the lot fall on Tammuz and Av? Because they said to the Holy One blessed be He: Master of the universe, the calamities that befell your children in us, five in Tammuz and five in Av, are enough.
The possibility of Elul arose – [but it had] the merit of the completion of the wall of Jerusalem that was completed during it. That is what is written: “The wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul” (Nehemiah 6:15). There was also the merit of the animal tithe, as it is taught there: On the first of Elul is the New Year for the animal tithe (Mishna Rosh HaShana 1:1).
The possibility of Tishrei arose – [but it had] the merit of the shofar, Yom Kippur, and the festivals.
The possibility of Marḥeshvan arose – [but it had] the merit of Sarah our matriarch, who died during it.
Kislev – [but it had] the merit of Hanukkah.
The possibility of Tevet arose – [but it had] the merit of Ezra. That is what is written: “The exiles did so. Ezra the priest…sequestered themselves; [they convened on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter]...they finished with all the men who had settled with foreign women” (Ezra 10:16–17).
The possibility of Shevat arose – [but it had] the merit of the members of the Great Assembly. On the twenty-third of it [the month of Shevat] all Israel gathered over the concubine in Giva (Judges 19–21) and the idol of Mikha (Judges 17–18).
The possibility of the first of Adar arose, and no merit was found for it. The wicked one began rejoicing.
He then checked the signs of the Zodiac. Lamb [Aries] had the merit of the paschal lamb; that is what is written: “Each man, a lamb for each extended family, a lamb for each household” (Exodus 12:3).
Bull [Taurus] – the merit of Joseph, who was called a bull, was found. That is what is written: “A firstborn bull is his majesty” (Deuteronomy 33:17). And the merit of an offering, as it is stated: “A bull, or a sheep, or a goat, when it is born…” (Leviticus 22:27).
Twins [Gemini] – the merit of Peretz and Zeraḥ [the sons of Judah], who were called twins, was found in it; that is what is written: “And behold there were twins in her womb” (Genesis 38:27).
Lion [Leo] – the merit of Daniel, who was from the tribe of Judah, who was called a lion, [was found in it], as it is stated: “A lion cub is Judah” (Genesis 49:9).
Virgin [Virgo] – the merit of Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya, who were comparable to a virgin with whom no man was familiar other than her husband, [was found in it]; thus they did not change their God and their laws, and clung to their Judaism.
Scales [Libra] – that is Job, as it is stated: “If only my anger were weighed” (Job 6:2).
Scorpion [Scorpio] – that is Ezekiel, as it is stated: “And you sit among the scorpions” (Ezekiel 2:6).
Bow [Sagittarius] – that is Joseph, as it is stated about him: “His bow remained taut” (Genesis 49:24).
Kid [Capricorn] – that is Jacob, as it is stated: “And the hides of the kids of the goats” (Genesis 27:16).
Bucket [d’li] [Aquarius ] – that is Moses, as it is stated: “And he drew water [dalo dala] for us” (Exodus 2:19).
He arrived at the sign of Fish [Pisces], that serves during the month of Adar, and no merit was found for it. He immediately rejoiced and said: ‘Adar has no merit and its Zodiac sign has no merit. Not only that, but Moses their teacher died in Adar.’ And he did not know that Moses died on the seventh of Adar and Moses was born on the seventh of Adar. He said: ‘Just as fish swallow, so, I will swallow them.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Wicked one, fish sometimes swallow and sometimes are swallowed. Now, this man will be swallowed by the swallowers.’ Rabbi Ḥanan said: That is what is written: “It was reversed, so that it was the Jews who ruled over their enemies” (Esther 9:1). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: “But the Lord had not determined to expunge [the name of Israel]” (II Kings 14:27); rather, so He spoke: “For I will expunge the memory of Amalek” (Exodus 17:14).
“In the first month, that is, the month Nisan” – it is taught: When the wicked Haman sought to eliminate Israel, he said: ‘How can I gain control over them? I will cast lots.’ The Holy Spirit cried out: “Over My people they cast lots” (Joel 4:3). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Wicked one son of wicked one, your lot is drawn to be hanged.’ “He cast a pur, that is [hu],11The midrash is claiming that pronoun hu refers to Haman: He cast a pur; upon him was the lot. the lot” – upon him the lot fell. Why? “Indeed, the rod of wickedness will not rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous extend their hands for wrongdoing” (Psalms 125:3).
First, he cast a lot for the days, as it is stated: “for each day.” He cast the lot on Sunday. Its [Sunday’s] angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The heavens and the earth were created on me [my day], and You said: “truly My covenant is day and night, have I not set the statutes of heaven and earth?” (Jeremiah 33:25). There is a covenant in their flesh, as it is written: “You shall observe My covenant [you and your descendants that are after you for their generations…circumcise for yourselves every male]” (Genesis 17:9–10), and it is written: “My covenant shall be in your flesh” (Genesis 17:13). And there is a covenant in their mouths, that is the Torah, as it is written: “The book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth” (Joshua 1:8). And You said: “If the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below probed…”( Jeremiah 31:37) and it is written: “[when these laws should ever be annulled before Me, says the Lord,] so too will the descendants of Israel cease from being a nation before Me all the days” (Jeremiah 31:35), and this wicked one seeks to eliminate them? Uproot the heavens and the earth first, and then annihilate them.’
He cast the lot on Monday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: On the second day you separated the upper waters from the lower waters, and likewise, Israel is separated from the nations. That is what is written: “I have distinguished you from the peoples to be Mine” (Leviticus 20:26), and this wicked one wants to eliminate them? Overturn the upper and the lower worlds and then annihilate them.’
He cast the lot and it fell on Tuesday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The third day – on it, seeds were created, from which Israel separates teruma and tithes, and on it trees were created, with which Israel lauds you. That is what is written: “You shall take for you on the first day: The fruit of a pleasant tree…”12The verse refers to the four species; a palm branch, an etrog, myrtle branches and willow branches, that are taken on Sukkot. (Leviticus 23:40). On it the waters were gathered into the sea [during Creation], and the sea split into twelve segments for Israel’s sake. Now, if Israel is eradicated, how do we exist?’
He cast the lot on Wednesday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The fourth day – on it the lights were created to provide light for Israel’s use; that is what is written: “Nations will walk by your light and kings by the aura of your shining” (Isaiah 60:3), and on it the stars were created, and your children were likened to stars; if You eliminate them, how do we exist?’
He cast the lot on Thursday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The fifth day – on it were created birds [and animals], from which you commanded to present offerings, and with which You grant atonement to and are reconciled with people; if they are eradicated, who will present an offering?’
He cast the lot on Friday. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The sixth day – on it Adam the first man was created, and you called Your children by his name; that is what is written: “You, My flock, flock of My pasture, you are men [Adam]” (Ezekiel 34:31). If you seek to uproot them, uproot all men and then let him [Haman] gain control over them.’
He cast the lot on Shabbat. Its angel stood before the Holy One blessed be He and said: ‘Master of the universe: The Shabbat day – on it all your creations were completed and perfected; that is what is written: “God completed on the seventh day” (Genesis 2:2), and it is written: “It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever” (Exodus 31:17). If you seek to uproot them, uproot the Shabbat and cancel it; then eliminate them.’
Once that wicked one saw that the lot would not fall on the days, he moved to months.
He began with the month of Nisan, and the merit of Passover arose.
Iyyar had the merit of Pesaḥ sheni,13This refers to the fourteenth of Iyyar, when those who had been impure or were too distant from the Temple on the fourteenth of Nisan, could present the Passover offering. and the merit of the manna that was provided to Israel on the fifteenth of the month.
Sivan had the merit of the Torah.
Tammuz had the merit of the land.14The allusion is obscure. It perhaps refers to the fact that Ezra came to the Land of Israel on the first of that month (Ezra 7:8-9). Alternatively, there are midrashic traditions that Joshua stopped the sun in his war with the five Emorite kings during that month (Seder Olam Rabba:11).
Furthermore, why didn’t the lot fall on Tammuz and Av? Because they said to the Holy One blessed be He: Master of the universe, the calamities that befell your children in us, five in Tammuz and five in Av, are enough.
The possibility of Elul arose – [but it had] the merit of the completion of the wall of Jerusalem that was completed during it. That is what is written: “The wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul” (Nehemiah 6:15). There was also the merit of the animal tithe, as it is taught there: On the first of Elul is the New Year for the animal tithe (Mishna Rosh HaShana 1:1).
The possibility of Tishrei arose – [but it had] the merit of the shofar, Yom Kippur, and the festivals.
The possibility of Marḥeshvan arose – [but it had] the merit of Sarah our matriarch, who died during it.
Kislev – [but it had] the merit of Hanukkah.
The possibility of Tevet arose – [but it had] the merit of Ezra. That is what is written: “The exiles did so. Ezra the priest…sequestered themselves; [they convened on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter]...they finished with all the men who had settled with foreign women” (Ezra 10:16–17).
The possibility of Shevat arose – [but it had] the merit of the members of the Great Assembly. On the twenty-third of it [the month of Shevat] all Israel gathered over the concubine in Giva (Judges 19–21) and the idol of Mikha (Judges 17–18).
The possibility of the first of Adar arose, and no merit was found for it. The wicked one began rejoicing.
He then checked the signs of the Zodiac. Lamb [Aries] had the merit of the paschal lamb; that is what is written: “Each man, a lamb for each extended family, a lamb for each household” (Exodus 12:3).
Bull [Taurus] – the merit of Joseph, who was called a bull, was found. That is what is written: “A firstborn bull is his majesty” (Deuteronomy 33:17). And the merit of an offering, as it is stated: “A bull, or a sheep, or a goat, when it is born…” (Leviticus 22:27).
Twins [Gemini] – the merit of Peretz and Zeraḥ [the sons of Judah], who were called twins, was found in it; that is what is written: “And behold there were twins in her womb” (Genesis 38:27).
Lion [Leo] – the merit of Daniel, who was from the tribe of Judah, who was called a lion, [was found in it], as it is stated: “A lion cub is Judah” (Genesis 49:9).
Virgin [Virgo] – the merit of Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya, who were comparable to a virgin with whom no man was familiar other than her husband, [was found in it]; thus they did not change their God and their laws, and clung to their Judaism.
Scales [Libra] – that is Job, as it is stated: “If only my anger were weighed” (Job 6:2).
Scorpion [Scorpio] – that is Ezekiel, as it is stated: “And you sit among the scorpions” (Ezekiel 2:6).
Bow [Sagittarius] – that is Joseph, as it is stated about him: “His bow remained taut” (Genesis 49:24).
Kid [Capricorn] – that is Jacob, as it is stated: “And the hides of the kids of the goats” (Genesis 27:16).
Bucket [d’li] [Aquarius ] – that is Moses, as it is stated: “And he drew water [dalo dala] for us” (Exodus 2:19).
He arrived at the sign of Fish [Pisces], that serves during the month of Adar, and no merit was found for it. He immediately rejoiced and said: ‘Adar has no merit and its Zodiac sign has no merit. Not only that, but Moses their teacher died in Adar.’ And he did not know that Moses died on the seventh of Adar and Moses was born on the seventh of Adar. He said: ‘Just as fish swallow, so, I will swallow them.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Wicked one, fish sometimes swallow and sometimes are swallowed. Now, this man will be swallowed by the swallowers.’ Rabbi Ḥanan said: That is what is written: “It was reversed, so that it was the Jews who ruled over their enemies” (Esther 9:1). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: “But the Lord had not determined to expunge [the name of Israel]” (II Kings 14:27); rather, so He spoke: “For I will expunge the memory of Amalek” (Exodus 17:14).
Vayikra Rabbah
Rabbi Avun, Rabbi Neḥemya, and Rabbi Yaakov bar Abba said in the name of Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon: It is a dispute between Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Let the mitzva of the omer not be insignificant in your eyes, as by means of the mitzva of the omer, Abraham merited to inherit the land of Canaan. That is what is written: “I will give to you and to your offspring after you” (Genesis 17:8) – provided that “you will observe My covenant” (Genesis 17:9). Which is that? It is the mitzva of the omer. Reish Lakish said: Let the mitzva of the omer not be insignificant in your eyes, as by means of the mitzva of the omer, the Holy One blessed be He made peace between a man and his wife. That is to say: Due to the merit of barley flour.18Barley flour is the primary component in the omer offering, as well as in the flour offering of the sota. The sota ritual is intended to restore trust and peace between husband and wife.
Rabbi Abahu, Rabbi Simon, and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: It was this that stood them in good stead in the days of Gideon, as it is stated: “Gideon came, and behold, a man was relating a dream to another, saying: Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a loaf of barley bread [tzelil leḥem seorim] [was tumbling in the camp of Midyan, and it came to a tent and struck it, and it fell, and it overturned it, and the tent fell]” (Judges 7:13). What is tzelil leḥem seorim? The Rabbis said: It is because that generation became clear [tzalal] of the righteous. By what merit were they saved? It was by the merit of the barley bread. What is that? It is the mitzva of the omer.
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: It was this that stood them in good stead in the days of Hezekiah. That is what is written: “It will be that with the passage of the staff on every established place that the Lord will place upon it, there will be drums and harps, and He will wage war against them with the waving of the hand [tenufa]” (Isaiah 30:32). Was there a war involving the waving of the hand in that generation?19Hezekiah and the people were passive and God smote the Assyrian camp (see II Kings chapter 19). You must say it is the mitzva of the omer.20They were saved in the merit of the mitzva of the omer offering, which is waved before being offered on the altar.
The Rabbis say: It was this that stood them in good stead in the days of Ezekiel. That is what is written: “You, take for you wheat and barley, [beans and lentils, millet and spelt, and put them in one vessel, and make them for you into bread]” (Ezekiel 4:9). Rabbi Ḥama bar Rabbi Ḥalafta said: He included a large proportion of barley.21The verse shortly after the one cited here states: “You shall eat them as barley cakes” (Ezekiel 4:12), implying that barley was the most significant ingredient. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: He included a large proportion of items that quicken the function of the intestines. Shmuel said: There22In the Land of Israel. they say: They prepared it for the dog, but it did not taste it. A certain noblewoman asked Rabbi Yosei, she said to him: ‘How much did that righteous one suffer! How many servants and maidservants did he have, who would prepare him food and drink.’23Ezekiel was used to eating high quality food, yet now he had to eat the low quality bread described above. He said to her: ‘Why to that extent? It is to inform you that as long as Israel is suffering, the righteous among them are with them in suffering.’
Rabbi Levi said: It was this that stood them in good stead in the days of Haman, as Rabbi Levi said: When Mordekhai saw Haman approaching him with the horse in his hand, he said: ‘It seems to me that this wicked one is coming only to kill me.’ His students were sitting and studying before him. He said to them: ‘Get up and flee so that you will not be burned in my coal.’ They said to him: ‘Whether for death or for life, we are with you and we will not forsake you.’ What did he do? He wrapped himself in his prayer shawl and stood in prayer before the Holy One blessed be He, and his students were sitting and studying. [Haman] said to them: ‘In what are you engaged?’ They said to him: ‘In the mitzva of the omer that Israel would offer in the Temple on this day.’ He said to them: ‘That omer, what was it, of gold or of silver?’ They said to him: ‘Of barley.’ He said to them: ‘What was its monetary value, ten silver kantars?’24A kantar is the equivalent of a silver talent. They said: ‘Ten maot was sufficient.’25This was a very small sum of money. He said to them: ‘Arise, as the ten [maot] of yours have overcome ten thousand silver kantars.’
When Esther heard this,26When she heard that Ahasuerus had commanded Haman to lead Mordekhai through the city on a royal horse as a sign of honor. she dispatched a herald throughout the city and said: ‘Let no person open his store in the marketplace, let all the people go outside, a leader of the Jews must be hanged.’ When [Mordekhai] finished praying, Haman said to Mordekhai: ‘Don this royal garment, place this crown on your head, and go up and ride this horse.’ He said to him: ‘You great fool, do you not know that I have come from sackcloth and ashes? Is there any person who would wear the king’s royal garment who did not bathe? What, do you seek to demean the kingdom?’ [Haman] went for a bathhouse attendant but did not find one. What did he do? He tied the filthy garment on himself, warmed the water and scrubbed the bath and went in and bathed him. When [Mordekhai] finished, he donned the royal garment. [Haman] said to him: ‘Place this crown of the king on your head.’ He said to him: ‘Is there a person who would place the king’s crown on his head without a haircut? Why do you seek to demean the kingdom?’ [Haman] went for a barber but did not find him. What did he do? He took the haircutting tools and sat and cut his hair.
While he was sitting and cutting his hair, he began sighing. [Mordekhai] said to him: ‘What [ails] you?’ He said: ‘Woe unto this person what has befallen him. The one who appointed court officials, the one who appointed officers, the one who appointed palace officials, should become a bathhouse attendant and a barber?’ He said: ‘Do I not know the father of this man,27Haman. may his bones be crushed, who was a bathhouse attendant and a barber in the village of Kerinus, and these are his haircutting implements?’28Mordekhai reminded Haman that his father had served as a barber and bathhouse attendant, therefore this was befitting Haman’s true, lowly background.
When he finished cutting his hair, he said to him: ‘Go up and ride this horse.’ He said to him: ‘I do not have the strength, as I am an old man.’ He said to him: ‘Am I not an old man?’ He said to him: ‘But did you not bring it upon yourself?’ He said to him: ‘Stand, I will lower my neck for you, step on me, and go up and ride the horse,’ in fulfillment of what is stated in your Bible: “Your enemies will deceive you and you will tread on their backs”’ (Deuteronomy 33:29).
When he was riding on the horse, he began lauding the Holy One blessed be He: “I extol You, Lord, for You lifted me… Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. Lord, You lifted my soul from the grave” (Psalms 30:2–4). What did his students say? “Sing to the Lord, His pious ones, and give thanks in remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but a moment…” (Psalms 30:5–6). What did that wicked one [Haman] say? “I had said in my tranquility: [I will never stumble]. Lord, by Your will You put in place mighty mountains; [You hid Your face, and I was terrified]” (Psalms 30:7–8). What did Esther say? “To You, Lord, I called…. What gain is in my blood, in my descending into the pit? Can the dust thank You? Can it declare Your truth?” (Psalms 30:9–10). What did Israel say? “Hear me, Lord, and be gracious to me…. You transformed my mourning into dancing” (Psalms 30:11–12). Rabbi Pinḥas said: He was engaged in the reciting of Shema and he did not stop,29Rabbi Pinḥas asserts that when Haman first came for Mordekhai, Mordekhai was reciting the morning Shema and that he continued without interruption. as it is stated: “So that he may sing praises of glory [unceasingly to You. Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever]” (Psalms 30:13).
Rabbi Abahu, Rabbi Simon, and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: It was this that stood them in good stead in the days of Gideon, as it is stated: “Gideon came, and behold, a man was relating a dream to another, saying: Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a loaf of barley bread [tzelil leḥem seorim] [was tumbling in the camp of Midyan, and it came to a tent and struck it, and it fell, and it overturned it, and the tent fell]” (Judges 7:13). What is tzelil leḥem seorim? The Rabbis said: It is because that generation became clear [tzalal] of the righteous. By what merit were they saved? It was by the merit of the barley bread. What is that? It is the mitzva of the omer.
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: It was this that stood them in good stead in the days of Hezekiah. That is what is written: “It will be that with the passage of the staff on every established place that the Lord will place upon it, there will be drums and harps, and He will wage war against them with the waving of the hand [tenufa]” (Isaiah 30:32). Was there a war involving the waving of the hand in that generation?19Hezekiah and the people were passive and God smote the Assyrian camp (see II Kings chapter 19). You must say it is the mitzva of the omer.20They were saved in the merit of the mitzva of the omer offering, which is waved before being offered on the altar.
The Rabbis say: It was this that stood them in good stead in the days of Ezekiel. That is what is written: “You, take for you wheat and barley, [beans and lentils, millet and spelt, and put them in one vessel, and make them for you into bread]” (Ezekiel 4:9). Rabbi Ḥama bar Rabbi Ḥalafta said: He included a large proportion of barley.21The verse shortly after the one cited here states: “You shall eat them as barley cakes” (Ezekiel 4:12), implying that barley was the most significant ingredient. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: He included a large proportion of items that quicken the function of the intestines. Shmuel said: There22In the Land of Israel. they say: They prepared it for the dog, but it did not taste it. A certain noblewoman asked Rabbi Yosei, she said to him: ‘How much did that righteous one suffer! How many servants and maidservants did he have, who would prepare him food and drink.’23Ezekiel was used to eating high quality food, yet now he had to eat the low quality bread described above. He said to her: ‘Why to that extent? It is to inform you that as long as Israel is suffering, the righteous among them are with them in suffering.’
Rabbi Levi said: It was this that stood them in good stead in the days of Haman, as Rabbi Levi said: When Mordekhai saw Haman approaching him with the horse in his hand, he said: ‘It seems to me that this wicked one is coming only to kill me.’ His students were sitting and studying before him. He said to them: ‘Get up and flee so that you will not be burned in my coal.’ They said to him: ‘Whether for death or for life, we are with you and we will not forsake you.’ What did he do? He wrapped himself in his prayer shawl and stood in prayer before the Holy One blessed be He, and his students were sitting and studying. [Haman] said to them: ‘In what are you engaged?’ They said to him: ‘In the mitzva of the omer that Israel would offer in the Temple on this day.’ He said to them: ‘That omer, what was it, of gold or of silver?’ They said to him: ‘Of barley.’ He said to them: ‘What was its monetary value, ten silver kantars?’24A kantar is the equivalent of a silver talent. They said: ‘Ten maot was sufficient.’25This was a very small sum of money. He said to them: ‘Arise, as the ten [maot] of yours have overcome ten thousand silver kantars.’
When Esther heard this,26When she heard that Ahasuerus had commanded Haman to lead Mordekhai through the city on a royal horse as a sign of honor. she dispatched a herald throughout the city and said: ‘Let no person open his store in the marketplace, let all the people go outside, a leader of the Jews must be hanged.’ When [Mordekhai] finished praying, Haman said to Mordekhai: ‘Don this royal garment, place this crown on your head, and go up and ride this horse.’ He said to him: ‘You great fool, do you not know that I have come from sackcloth and ashes? Is there any person who would wear the king’s royal garment who did not bathe? What, do you seek to demean the kingdom?’ [Haman] went for a bathhouse attendant but did not find one. What did he do? He tied the filthy garment on himself, warmed the water and scrubbed the bath and went in and bathed him. When [Mordekhai] finished, he donned the royal garment. [Haman] said to him: ‘Place this crown of the king on your head.’ He said to him: ‘Is there a person who would place the king’s crown on his head without a haircut? Why do you seek to demean the kingdom?’ [Haman] went for a barber but did not find him. What did he do? He took the haircutting tools and sat and cut his hair.
While he was sitting and cutting his hair, he began sighing. [Mordekhai] said to him: ‘What [ails] you?’ He said: ‘Woe unto this person what has befallen him. The one who appointed court officials, the one who appointed officers, the one who appointed palace officials, should become a bathhouse attendant and a barber?’ He said: ‘Do I not know the father of this man,27Haman. may his bones be crushed, who was a bathhouse attendant and a barber in the village of Kerinus, and these are his haircutting implements?’28Mordekhai reminded Haman that his father had served as a barber and bathhouse attendant, therefore this was befitting Haman’s true, lowly background.
When he finished cutting his hair, he said to him: ‘Go up and ride this horse.’ He said to him: ‘I do not have the strength, as I am an old man.’ He said to him: ‘Am I not an old man?’ He said to him: ‘But did you not bring it upon yourself?’ He said to him: ‘Stand, I will lower my neck for you, step on me, and go up and ride the horse,’ in fulfillment of what is stated in your Bible: “Your enemies will deceive you and you will tread on their backs”’ (Deuteronomy 33:29).
When he was riding on the horse, he began lauding the Holy One blessed be He: “I extol You, Lord, for You lifted me… Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. Lord, You lifted my soul from the grave” (Psalms 30:2–4). What did his students say? “Sing to the Lord, His pious ones, and give thanks in remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but a moment…” (Psalms 30:5–6). What did that wicked one [Haman] say? “I had said in my tranquility: [I will never stumble]. Lord, by Your will You put in place mighty mountains; [You hid Your face, and I was terrified]” (Psalms 30:7–8). What did Esther say? “To You, Lord, I called…. What gain is in my blood, in my descending into the pit? Can the dust thank You? Can it declare Your truth?” (Psalms 30:9–10). What did Israel say? “Hear me, Lord, and be gracious to me…. You transformed my mourning into dancing” (Psalms 30:11–12). Rabbi Pinḥas said: He was engaged in the reciting of Shema and he did not stop,29Rabbi Pinḥas asserts that when Haman first came for Mordekhai, Mordekhai was reciting the morning Shema and that he continued without interruption. as it is stated: “So that he may sing praises of glory [unceasingly to You. Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever]” (Psalms 30:13).