What happened next? Well, Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating and often imaginative work of aggadah (Jewish storytelling and folklore), gives us a glimpse.
Rabbi Eliezer tells us that Haman, the arch-villain of the Purim story, had forty sons. Forty! Can you imagine? Ten of them, he says, served as scribes for the king, carefully copying and maintaining the royal records. The other thirty? They held positions of power, ruling over various provinces within the vast Persian empire. We see a hint of this in the Book of Esther itself (Esther 9:12), which mentions Haman’s ten sons scattered throughout the kingdom.
But justice, or perhaps revenge, was swift and absolute. According to Rabbi Eliezer, all forty of Haman’s sons met the same gruesome fate as their father: hanging on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordechai. The text emphasizes this point with a repetition, driving home the completeness of the victory: "And they hanged Haman's ten sons... And they hanged Haman's ten sons" (Esther 9:14). It's a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in this ancient drama.
But what about Mordechai? How did he fare after the dust settled? Rabbi Phineas paints a picture of Mordechai's elevated status, mirroring that of the king himself. Just as the king wore purple robes, so too did Mordechai, as we learn in Esther 8:15: "And Mordechai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel." And just as the king wore a crown, so too did Mordechai, "with a great crown of gold" (Esther 8:15). The text isn't just talking about clothes and jewelry; it’s emphasizing the power and authority now vested in Mordechai.
The influence of Mordechai extended beyond mere appearances. According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, the fear of Mordechai fell upon the people, just as the king's fear did. "Because the fear of Mordechai was fallen upon them…" (Esther 9:3). He had become a figure of immense respect and, perhaps, even a little awe.
And what about money? Even Mordechai’s currency was recognized throughout the land. What did this money look like? The text offers a striking image: on one side, the face of Mordechai; on the other, the face of Esther. A powerful symbol of their combined influence and the miracle they orchestrated.
Why this immense success and honor? Because, the text tells us, Mordechai was "a good man, and a man of peace and seeking the peace of his people" (Esther 10:3). He was not just a political figure, but a righteous one. The text concludes by quoting Psalm 37:37: "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the latter end of (that) man is peace." Mordechai's story, as depicted here, is a testament to the enduring power of integrity and the ultimate triumph of good.
So, when we celebrate Purim, let’s remember not just the costumes and the hamantaschen, but also the complex aftermath. Let’s reflect on the price of victory, the responsibilities of power, and the enduring legacy of those who strive for peace and justice. What does it mean to be "a good man" or "a good woman" in a world that so often rewards something else? And how can we embody the spirit of Mordechai and Esther in our own lives, seeking peace and justice for all?