THEMES of Featured Chasidic Masters Articles

A lottery transcends rationality. Haman cast lots when scheming to wipe out the Jews in imitation of the Jews' relationship with G-d; to "rise" to that level where intellect has no say and cannot deny him the power he wants.

Naked evil has no ability to exist or power to attract. In order for evil to exist and to gain popularity among the masses, it must be "packaged" well; it must be "dressed" in nice garments that will cover up its ugly face. If unhealthy cravings were presented without any masks, we would immediately cast them away.

The Ari teaches that Esther was a reincarnation of Eve, the Serpent was enclothed in Haman, and Mordecai was the reincarnation of Jacob. Esther (as Eve) was bitter to Haman, who was the Serpent who had brought her to sin - and sweet to Mordecai, who, as a reincarnation of Jacob, was also the reincarnation of Adam.

When G-d's will is not done, it is as if He is asleep. The King can be awakened through self-sacrifice, such as that demonstrated by the Jews at the time of Purim. Denying one's Jewish identity afforded escape from the deadly decree but not a single Jew in Persia took this option, and this integrity and self-sacrifice woke up the king.

Nothing that a person sees or hears is accidental. This [fallen] thought is called "Nukva", and wants to receive holiness. If a person uplifts them, his reward will be very great.

Shem miShmuel notes that the kohanim had to wear special clothes, because their service required that they draw down spiritual light from such a high source that their work demanded secrecy and modesty. So too, the spiritual illumination that Esther could bring down from the hidden worlds above to heal the desperate plight of the Jews also needed concealment.