PURIM - Mordechai didnot bow down

Haman had the king agree that all the people in the empire should worship him. However, Mordechai refused to comply.

Mordechai saw Haman approaching. Everyone else knelt to prostrate himself before Haman, but Mordechai stood upright. As Haman approached, his eyes met Mordechai's. He saw someone with the resolute gaze of one who knows what he stands for and chooses whom he stands with.

At that moment, Haman decided that he would try to rid the kingdom of Mordechai and his people.

Now, why didn't Mordechai bow down to Haman? Mordechai was a realistic person. He could have foreseen the consequences of his refusal. Why was he willing to risk everything - not only his own life and position, but that of the entire Jewish people?

So WHAT IF Haman was asking to be worshiped like a god. Big deal. Bow down to him and move on. It definitely doesn't make sense to give up one's life - and risk those of one's entire people - not to bow down.

But that's the point. There are some things that are above making sense. And some rules that may never be broken.

Acknowledging G-d and refusing to acknowledge any other power are the two most fundamental of these rules. Mordechai saw bowing down to Haman as a challenge to the fundamental core of his existence.

Would he bow down to Haman and thus show his acceptance of the Persian empire as the most powerful force in his life? Or would he defy Haman's decree and incur his wrath, but demonstrate his connection to G-d?

For Mordechai, it wasn't a question. Mordechai didn't separate his faith from his life. He lived what he believed in; he believed in what he lived.

And the entire Jewish people stood behind him. Even when a decree issued calling for every Jew to be executed, they did not try to hide their Jewishness. On the contrary, they intensified their adherence to the Torah and its commandments.

In the end, Haman was killed. And instead of the Jews being slain by their enemies, they defeated all those who rose against them.

It's G-d's world. And when Mordechai and the Jewish people affirmed that, they were successful.