In the story of Purim, Haman who descended from Amalek, the quintessential Anti-Semite, prevailed upon King Achashverosh to decree that the entire Jewish nation will be annihilated, G-d forbid.
The Jews, led by Mordechai, the greatest Sage of that time, engaged in prayer and repentance in order to reverse the terrible decree hanging over them.
Queen Esther the Jewess who under duress had to marry Achasveirosh, was in the right place at the right time. Not a coincidence.
When she risked her life to enter Achashveirosh’s palace uninvited (even the queen needed a personal invitation in order to appear before the queen) she found favor in his eyes and he asked her, “What is your petition?”
The first thing she requested was a private banquet with just the king, Haman, and herself.
The Talmud wonders, why invite Haman her archenemy to the private feast? The Sages explained that she had 12, yes twelve, separate reasons for inviting Haman!
One of the primary reasons is, “Shelo Yoamru Achos Lanu B’veis Hamelech-So the Jews should not say we have a sister in the king’s palace!” Mordechai and Esther were concerned that instead of placing their hope and trust in Hashem, the Jews might pin their hopes on the Jewish queen. They might think, “We have nothing to be afraid of. The queen herself (although unbeknownst to King Achashveirosh at that time) is a Jewess. NO one would dare start up with the nation of the queen!”
For this reason, Esther gave out the appearance of a traitor and turncoat towards the Jewish cause by inviting Haman himself, so they should not desist from the praying and repentance even to a small degree.
Although Esther herself interceded with the king on the Jews behalf the next evening this was only because she knew Hashem had placed her in that position for that very purpose not because she placed her faith on a flesh and blood king. One proof of this is the fact that she fasted for 3 consecutive days before approaching the queen even though this would obviously negatively affect her appearance. She knew that it wasn’t through natural means that the decree would eventually be annulled rather through the orchestrations of Hashem.
This is a timeless lesson for us. At times we may be tempted to place our hopes on natural events (e.g. the president has a Jewish son-in-law). We must realize that ultimately these factors play no role in determining the final course of events. Rather there is an unseen Hand that guides the course of events in a way that will bring out the ultimate purpose of this world in a seemingly natural way!

By Rabbi Sharaga Thav
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