This week’s parsha has the terrible tragedy of the Golden Calf. A few months before the Golden Calf, all of the Jews witnessed the greatest miracle that ever happened, the Splitting of the Sea of Reeds. Our Sages teach us during the Splitting of the Sea, a simple maidservant saw G-d more clearly than many of our greatest Prophets . How could these people after an event like the Splitting of the Sea turn against G-d by committing the worst sin of all time? The answer is that the maidservant remained a maidservant. People saw the miracle but then went back to their life without changing at all. They had the moment of inspiration but did nothing about it. Therefore, their excitement was lost forever.

We just celebrated Purim. For a long time, I had a question on an event in the Megillah. Haman got Achoshverosh to sign a document stating that all Jews were to be killed on the 13th of Adar. This document was signed in the beginning of Nissan. Esther asked all of the Jews to fast for three days. Our Sages teach us that these 3 days of fasting were 13 Nissan, 14 Nissan, and 15 Nissan. My question is that the 15th of Nissan is Pesach so how could Esther ask people to fast on Pesach? She couldn’t push off the fast a few days until Pesach was over? The decree was not to be fulfilled for another 11 months!

Rav Bentzion Shafier gives an amazing answer. He points out that the Jews had just found out about the decree to wipe out the whole Jewish nation. They were shocked and upset. They wanted to do something. Therefore, Esther and Mordechai decided that something needed to be done IMMEDIATELY. If any time was wasted, then the inspiration would disappear and it would be even more impossible to change the decree. Immediate action needed to be taken so for that year, the first day of Pesach was a fast day.

At some time in our life, we all get a spark of inspiration. Don’t let the spark fizzle out. Act upon the inspiration immediately. A person can see the most amazing miracle but still be the same person if they don’t respond to the miracle. Sometimes taking immediate action is proper. When someone experiences an inspiring moment, it is necessary. Don’t let these moments slip away from you because as quickly as they come, they can disappear.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
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