Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
Today is the Fast of Esther, one day before Purim. Evyatar Galai from Yeshivat Ma'aleh Adumim wrote me the following insight regarding this day:
"In the face of Haman's decree to exterminate the Jews, Mordechai the Jew asks Esther to go to King Achashveirosh and plead with him to save her people. In response, Esther tells Mordechai: 'Go, gather together all the Jews.'
Esther's message is clear: I cannot begin a dialogue with the enemy if the nation of Israel is not behind me. In order to go to the king and save the people, I need the entire nation of Israel to be as one, to pray for me, to be part of the story, to support me spiritually.
The Fast of Esther was instituted in remembrance of what Esther did before she went before the king. I thought it would be fitting to dedicate this day to Esther's words: 'Go, gather together all the Jews.' Prior to engaging in arguments (that are important), prior to each individual enunciating grand ideas and a particular ideology, prior to all the prayers and entreaties that are made on a fast day, it would be worthwhile to devote one moment of thought to the concept that we really are one. I do not have too many connections for the purpose of disseminating this message, but do you think it would be possible to publicize it in some way so that more people could benefit from it?"
