Mordechai learned from Yaakov, Yosef and Daniel

Hi,

"[When considering whether to warn wicked Achashverosh regarding the plot against his life, Mordechai said:] 

"Yaakov blessed Pharaoh as in Bereishit 47:7, 'And Yaakov blessed Pharaoh'.

"Yosef revealed the future to Pharaoh.

"Daniel revealed the future to Nevuchadnezzar. 

"I will do likewise.  And so Esther 2:22 says, 'And he told Queen Esther.'"

אמר: יעקב בירך את פרעה שנאמר (בראשית מז) ויברך יעקב את פרעה, יוסף גילה לו, דניאל גילה לנבוכדנצר אף אני כן (אסתר ב) ויגד לאסתר המלכה 

(Midrash, Bereishit Rabbah 39:12)

Purim sameach,

Mordechai

A proper leader

Hi,

The Jews' charge to Yehoshua in the end of the first chapter:

"With all of the Divine assistance and all of the nation's loyalty and conquest, a third support will be required, and this will be from you: to be strong and courageous like a proper leader. Should someone transgress your word, you must punish him immediately; as Kiddushin 32b says, 'If a king forgives his honour, his honour is not forgiven,' for the honour of the throne and the sake of the nation."

אבל עם כל העזר האלקי ועם כל שמיעת העם וכבישותם יצטרך עוד עזר שלישי והוא ממך, שתהיה חזק ואמיץ כמנהיג הגון, ואם אדם יעבור פיך שתענישנו מיד, כי (כמו שאמרו רז״ל, קדושין פ״א לב:) מלך שמחל על כבודו אין כבודו מחול, לכבוד המלכות וצורך העם.

(Abarbanel to Yehoshua, pg. 19)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Symbolism

Hi,

On the power of symbolism:

"Our sages taught: Kings are annointed only next to a spring, to indicate that their monarchy should flow forth, as it is written, 'And King David said, 'Bring him (Solomon) down to the Gichon and annoint him there.'"

(Talmud, Keritot 5b)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Appropriate awe

Hi,

"Although we are taught not to be in awe of flesh and blood, we are warned to have awe of kings, the community and Torah scholars."

(Rabbeinu Bechayye, Kad haKemach, Yirah)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Awe for the king

Hi,

"You should always feel awe for the king; [Moshe said to Pharaoh,] 'All of your servants will come down to me,' and he did not say, 'You will come down to me.'"

(Talmud, Zevachim 102a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Who controls the heart of the king?

Hi,

"It is written [Mishlei 21:1], 'The heart of a king is like streams of water in Divine control; wherever He chooses, He will incline it.'

"Rabbi Yishmael explained: 'Streams of water in the hand of Gd' because just as when you place water in a vessel you can incline it to any side you choose, so when flesh and blood ascend to the throne, his heart is put in Divine control. If the world merits then Gd inclines the king's heart toward positive decrees, but if the world is guilty then Gd inclines it toward bad decrees. Every decree he produces first emerges from Gd. This it says, 'Wherever He chooses, He will incline it.'"

(Midrash, Midrash Mishlei 21)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The authority of a military commander

Hi,

"There is no greater rodef [murderous pursuer] than one who causes the Jewish people to fall in battle… And this is what Reuven and Gad meant when they said to Yehoshua, “If anyone will rebel against your say and not listen to your word for all you command, he will die; only be strong and courageous.” Why would this person be liable for death? Yehoshua was not a king, but a shofet [justice]! Further, why would matters of the throne be of concern for Reuven and Gad? Those are for the entire nation!

"Rather, this was relevant for wartime, since Yehoshua was gathering the nation for war. The commander for war, at that moment, fills the role that a king fills at all times… And if anyone would rebel against Yehoshua’s say, for any mission, that would weaken the heart of Yehoshua, and there could be no greater act of undermining the Jewish nation in their war with the Canaanites. This person would be a rodef and would be liable for death."

(Netziv, Haamek She’eilah Vaetchanan 142:9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai