Welcome to the Daily Chizuk. When Esther heard about the decree to annihilate the Jews, she sent a message to Mordechai. The Midrash (rabbinic teaching) says she was asking, “Why is this happening? What does this mean?” At Kriyat Yam Suf (Splitting of the Sea of Reeds), the Jewish people pointed with their fingers and said, “It was so clear and obvious to them that there is a Hashem, and that He is my Hashem.” We have to know with such clarity that Hashem is here, and He wants a relationship with us. He wants you to feel connected to Him. Who do you turn to when you need something? Who do you turn to when something is bothering you? But people say, “I’m not worthy to ask.” There is no such thing. Hashem’s love is unconditional to you. You don’t have to be worthy.
The Chatam Sofer says that if you look through the Megillah, everything that happened seemed normal. Achashverosh wanting to pay back Mordechai for saving his life, even when Haman died, seemed normal. If Esther wants to get rid of Haman, it’s natural to listen to your wife. But there is one thing, he says, that makes no sense. After 180 days of partying, Achashverosh asked Vashti to come, and she refused, and he killed her. That is insane. Nobody does that. That was a clear Yad Hashem (hand of God), because Hashem was planning the salvation. He was paving the way for Esther to become the queen.
What was the situation of the Jewish people at that time? The Chazal (the Sages) tell us that the whole decree to wipe out the Jews was because they benefited from that seudah (party). And now we are talking about the 180th day of that party, after six months of indulging, when the Pasuk (verse) says—which is also referring to Hashem—He was burning with anger, and within that anger, says the Chatam Sofer, He was planning our yeshuah (salvation). He was so angry, He made a Gezerah (decree) to wipe us out, but at the very same moment, He was planning our salvation. Hashem’s love for us is at every moment. When a person knows that Hashem’s love is unconditional, then they will feel comfortable turning to Him for help whenever they need. And when you make Hashem part of your life, you will see new worlds and opportunities opening up before you. Have a great day.