A lesson in mercy

Hi,

"And Gd said to Yonah:

"You had mercy on a kikayon [a wild shade plant] for which you did not work and which you did not raise, which came in a night and was lost in a night. Should I not have mercy upon Nineveh, the great city, which contains more than 120,000 people who do not know their right from left, as well as many animals?"

(Yonah 4:10-11)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Esther's instructions to the Jews

Hi,

"A reason why Esther instructed the Jews to fast for three days was this: Gd will not leave the righteous in trouble for more than three days.

"We find with Rachav [in her instructions to the Jewish scouts she sheltered], 'You will hide in the mountains for three days.'

"We find with Yonah, 'And Yonah was in the innards of the fish for three days.'

"And so regarding the future redemption it is written, 'He will renew our life after two days.'"

(Taamei haMinhagim 868, from Kad haKemach of Rabbeinu Bechayye)

Have a great day,
Mordechai