The first step in spiritual awareness is the realization that when life does not proceed according to our personal plans, we are witnessing a specific moment of divine intervention. We must ask ourselves what this moment represents, recognizing it as a movement toward redemption. It is a moment defined by the question of "what"—an acknowledgment that the unfolding events carry a deeper significance than what is visible on the surface.
This inquiry is modeled by Esther, who sought to understand both the nature of the crisis and the specific reason for its occurrence. When she asked "what is this" and "on what is this," she was delving into the mechanics of the redemption process. Her question suggests that it is not enough to simply identify a moment as a step toward salvation; one must also understand the underlying cause and the required response.
The second part of her question, "on what is this," addresses the human responsibility in the redemptive process. It asks how we can perpetuate, effectuate, and ignite the potential for change. While Borei Olam is the ultimate source who brings redemption into the world, we must determine what steps we are required to take to ensure it happens. This is an investigation into how we can invest our own efforts to invigorate the process from our side.
Ultimately, this approach defines our partnership in a divine relationship. We must ask what our specific contribution will be and how we can participate in the unfolding of events. By seeking to understand our role, we identify the necessary actions we must take to contribute to the redemption, transforming a moment of uncertainty into a purposeful collaboration with the Creator.