We all know the story: Haman, the wicked advisor to King Ahasuerus, plots to annihilate all the Jews in Persia. But thanks to Esther, the Jewish queen, and her wise cousin Mordecai, Haman's evil plan is foiled. He's not only stopped, but forced to parade Mordecai through the streets in royal robes, proclaiming his greatness.
But the humiliation didn't stop there!
According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Mordecai, worn out from a three-day fast, was too weak to even get on his horse by himself. Can you imagine? He needs help just to mount the animal! And who has to provide that help? None other than Haman himself.
Picture this: Haman, the man who wanted to wipe out Mordecai's entire people, now has to act as a footstool, bending low so Mordecai can climb onto the horse. It’s a stunning reversal of fortune.
And Mordecai doesn't just step on him gently. Oh no. He gives Haman a good kick for good measure!
Talk about adding insult to injury.
Haman, in his utter degradation, even tries to quote scripture. He reminds Mordecai of the verse, "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he is overthrown." (Proverbs 24:17)
But Mordecai isn't having it. He refuses to apply that verse to this situation. Why? Because, as the story goes, Haman wasn't just a personal enemy. He was an enemy of the entire Jewish people.
And when it comes to enemies of the Jewish people, the rules are different. As it says in the Scriptures, "And thou shalt tread upon the high places of thine enemies." (Deuteronomy 33:29) In other words, you shall utterly vanquish them.
Mordecai saw his actions not as personal vengeance, but as righteous justice against an existential threat. He wasn't just getting even; he was defending his people.
So, what does this tell us? Is it right to revel in an enemy's downfall? The story, as told, suggests a nuanced answer. Personal vendettas might be frowned upon, but standing up against those who threaten an entire people? That's a different story altogether. It's a reminder that sometimes, justice demands a firm, even forceful, response.