Although it was an admirably selfless act, why was Esther’s attribution worthy of triggering the process of geulah?
So back to the Purim story we go — and where better to turn first but to the start of the magical turnabout, the auspicious scene of Mordechai Hatzaddik riding atop the king’s horse, garbed in royal splendor, led through town by the nefarious Haman. This was the beginning of the ensuing geulah, a glorious taste of the eventual orah v’simchah v’sasson vikar (Esther 8:16) that captures the awesomeness of this special time.
What precisely engendered such a momentous event? We find the answer in “Vatomer Esther l’melech b’sheim Mordechai” (Esther 2:22). Chazal (Megillah 15a) inform us that Esther’s mention of Mordechai as the one responsible for saving the king’s life, taking no credit at all for herself, was the harbinger for Achashveirosh to shower his gratitude upon Mordechai and set the stage for the v’nahafoch hu redemption.
Although it was an admirably selfless act, why was Esther’s attribution worthy of triggering the process of geulah? For a poignant answer and a crucial historical lesson, we turn to the Maharal in his Derech Chaim on Avos (6:5). There he elucidates the significance of the last in a long list of prerequisites for truly acquiring Torah: “ha’omer davar b’sheim omro — one who properly attributes a saying to the one who originated it brings redemption to the world.” If HaKadosh Baruch Hu typically acts toward us middah k’neged middah, how are we to understand the connection of omer davar b’sheim omro with meriting geulah?
When the King of all Kings sends us a redemption, explains the Maharal, He wants us to recognize clearly that He alone is the One Who wrought our salvation, and there is simply no room for kochi v’otzem yadi. The concatenation of events leading to the geulah from Mitzrayim was orchestrated entirely by Hashem; none of it was due to our wisdom, brute strength, astute tactics, or military strategies. It is the omnipotent Creator Who freed us from the abject bondage of ancient Egypt, and the same Al-mighty who redeemed us from all subsequent exiles as well.
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