Your Enemies Shall Shrink Before You

ME'AM LOEZ - The Torah Anthology - The Book of Esther

via Pasuk Post [links to FB]

Haman took the robes and the horse and dressed Mordecai. He led him on horseback through the main boulevard of the city and called before him, "Thus shall be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor." [Esther 6:11]

Seeing that he had no choice, Haman went to the royal storehouse, depressed and defeated. He was in a state of shock and could hardly walk. He took the king's coronation robes and placed them on his shoulder. Then he went to the royal stables and got the king's first horse. Trembling, he went to Mordecai. 

Mordecai had his head covered with his tallith, and he was reciting the Sh'ma and the morning prayers. As he finished he saw Haman approaching, and seeing the horse, assumed that he was coming to kill him. 

Haman could barely open his lips. "Mordecai. Come. G-d always does miracles for you. I planned evil for you, but I am suffering for it. Rise and let me dress you with these royal robes. Get up on the king's horse. The king gave me orders and I dare not disobey." 

"Where's your respect?" replied Mordecai. "Don't you see that I'm wearing sackcloth and ashes? Should I put on the king's robes without first bathing? Don't you have any respect for the king? Before I put on the royal robes, I'll have to have a bath and a haircut. I have been fasting for three days and nights, and I have very little strength." 

Esther had heard that Mordecai was to be paraded through the city and honored for saving the king's life. She issued orders that all stores and businesses should be closed so that everyone could witness the parade. When Haman tried to find a bathhouse and barber shop, none were open. Finally, Haman had no other choice but to heat water and draw a bath for Mordecai. 

Haman went to find a barber to cut Mordecai's hair but he could not find one. They had all closed their shops and were waiting for the big parade. Not having any other choice he cut Mordecai's hair. 

The haircut was finished, Haman dressed Mordecai in the royal robes and placed the crown on his head. "Come mount the horse, " said Haman. 

"I can't," replied Mordecai. "I am too weak from my long fast." Haman was desperate. He had to follow the king's orders. "Come mount the horse. I'll bow down and you can climb up on me." 

Very fitting, thought Mordecai. A fulfillment of the verse, "Your enemies shall shrink before you, and you shall step on their highest ones" [Deuteronomy 33:29]. 

Mordecai mounted the horse and began to praise G-d. "I will praise you, O my G-d, for you have lifted me up, and have not allowed my enemies to make merry with me." 

Twenty-seven thousand men carrying gold cups and pillows marched before Mordecai, all chanting, "Thus shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor." All the Jewish men followed Mordecai, overflowing with happiness. Jewish women who could not leave home watched from the windows and took up the chant, "Thus shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor." 

Esther stepped forward to greet Mordecai. Seeing him riding the royal horse and wearing the robes of state, she offered thanks to G-d. She said to Mordecai, "It is a fulfillment of the verse, 'G-d lifts the impoverished from the dust; from the dung-heap, He raises the hopeless' [Psalms 113:7]. Because of your sackcloth and ashes, G-d raised you up in this manner."