15 Mar SHABBOS IS IN THE AIR: SOUL TRAITS

“Ma’aseh avos siman l’bonim. The deeds of our forefathers are a sign for the children.” (Midrash Tanchuma, Parshas Lech Lecha)

Radak understands it to mean that our ancestors’ actions transmit lessons to us and for us. Ramban adds that history repeats itself time and time again, with the generations going through similar experiences as the ancestors.

There is yet another understanding, that of transmitting spiritual genes. As we inherit physical characteristics, and even different talents and skills, so too, we are the recipients of our ancestors’ spiritual DNA.

Neshamah, soul traits, passed down from one generation to another.

As I was studying the words of the Megillah, this concept became more and more apparent.

The Megillah relates that Mordechai was Ish Yemini, from the tribe of Binyamin. Mordechai’s niece, Esther, was also a descendant of Binyamin. Binyamin, the son of our Matriarch Rochel, brother of Yosef. Spiritual genes, all intertwined, passed down to Esther and Mordechai.

After the brothers sold Yosef, he ended up in Egypt as a slave in the house of Potiphar. He was a young boy of seventeen, alone, without the support of a family or a Jewish network. Yet, he never forgot who he was or where he came from. When Potiphar’s wife tempted him, Rashi tells us that it was “diyukno shel oviv, the image of his father, Yaakov”, which appeared to him, reminding Yosef of his heritage and the morals he was raised with. (Rashi, Bereishis 39:11)

Generations later, Esther finds herself in the “Beis Hanashim, Achashverosh’s harem. “U’vehagiya tor Esther, bas Avichayil…, When the turn came for Esther, daughter of Avichayil… (Megillas Esther 2:15). Esther is previously mentioned in the Megillah by her name only. We first learn of her father’s name when she is in the harem.

Avichayil. Avi – my father, Chayil – my strength. It was the strong memory of her father that gave Esther the power to persevere.

Yosef, and then Esther. Survivors and fighters. All because of a father’s image that never left them.

Mordechai instructed Esther to remain “hidden”, not revealing her nationality or birthplace. While at first, he may not have understood all of the reasons, he was aware through ruach hakodesh that Esther’s becoming queen was all part of HaShem’s plan, and he didn’t want to her to reveal any information that might jeopardize her being chosen. No matter how many times Achashverosh prodded her, Esther remained silent. It was only when she exposed Haman as the enemy of her people, did Esther reveal her true identity.

How did she remain silent and then find the courage to be an advocate for her people? It was the spiritual DNA she inherited from her grandmother, our Matriarch Rochel, the “root” of the tribe from which she came.

Rochel knew when to remain silent and when to speak up. She held her tongue when her father, Lavan, carried out his scheme to switch her and Leah. But she also knew when to speak, and willfully shared with her sister Leah, the secret signs that she and Yaakov made up between them. Here too, Rochel understood that this was all part of HaShem’s plan.

Binyamin also understood the power of speech and of silence, and did not share with his father his knowledge of the brothers selling Yosef. Like Rochel, he recognized that this was all part of HaShem’s plan.

On the choshen, the breastplate of the Kohain Gadol, each of the shevatim is represented by a precious gemstone. Binyamin’s stone is the yashpeh, jasper. Yashpeh can be divided into two words – yesh and peh, there is a mouth. The strength of Rochel, Binyamin and Esther. They all understood the importance of thinking before speaking, and choosing one’s words carefully.

Rochel mevakah al boneha, a mother who cries for her children. Who pleads, begs, and davens for Am Yisroel – for all of us.

As her grandmother before her, Esther cried out for Am Yisroel. She asked Mordechai to gather everyone together in tefillah, to daven and to fast. To this day, Purim is a day of prayer. A day to daven for our people, our families, ourselves.

It is said that on Purim, when a person is collecting tzedakah, one should give generously without making judgment calls or asking questions. To just find it in our heart to give. In that vain, Purim is a most auspicious time to stand before HaShem, to speak to Him like a child before a father. For just as we don’t judge others on Purim, HaShem also doesn’t judge, but answers the prayers that come from the heart.

We find another interesting similarity between the circumstances confronting Yosef and Mordechai. The Torah relates with regard to Yosef, “Vayehi k’dabrah el Yosef yom yom, v’lo shomah eileho, and so it was, as she (Potiphar’s wife) coaxed Yosef day after day, but he would not listen to her…” (Bereishis 39:10). And in the Megillah, we read regarding Mordechai’s refusal to bow down to Haman, “Vayehi k’amram eilav yom yom, v’lo shomah aleihem, and they (the King’s servants) said to him (Mordechai) day after day, but he did not heed them…” (Megillas Esther 3:4)

Ma’aseh avos siman l’bonim. How amazing it is that Yosef and Mordechai are amongst the very people to receive the appellation “HaTzaddik”, and are referred to respectively as Yosef HaTzaddik and Mordechai HaTzaddik. What better evidence of them sharing a common spiritual DNA.

What happens to the fathers happens to the children. We find that Pharaoh gave Yosef his signet ring, dressed him in royal clothes, and had him ride in the royal chariot. Similarly, Mordechai was rewarded for his loyalty by being given the king’s ring, dressed in royal clothing, and was paraded through the city on the king’s horse.

Ma’aseh avos siman l’bonim. Rochel Imeinu is a mother to all of us. Just as Esther and Mordechai inherited her attributes, so too, should we aspire to follow in their path, and show love and care for our fellow Jews.

Simchas Purim and Shabbat Shalom!