HaRav Chizkiyahu Yosef Mishkovsky opens his words with the following fact: "HaRav Shlomo Zalman Ulman z"l, Ra'aved of Modi'in Illit, once told the following insight to HaRav Shach regarding the halachic rule: 'Whoever reads the Megilloh lemafrei'a, retroactively, has not fulfilled his obligation.'
The standard meaning — which is the authoritative halachah — is that this means reading the Megilloh out of order. HaRav Ulman suggested another understanding: This refers to one who reads the Megilloh as if it were a historic record, as something that happened a long time ago and no longer has relevance. He has failed in his duty.
The reading of the Megilloh comes to reveal Hashem to us, to instill in our lives its vibrant message of better knowing Hashem and His Providence. HaRav Shach so appreciated this insight that he said to all those who came to him that day that he had heard an amazing thought from HaRav Ulman — and repeated it enthusiastically.
What, indeed, must we apply from the Megilloh to our present times?
Rav Mishkovsky: There are many relevant messages to be learned throughout the Megilloh but let us focus on some that are specifically pertinent to these days.
Chazal tell us that the decree was made because the Jews partook of and enjoyed Achashverosh's festive meal. Of that celebration, the Megilloh tells that it intended to satisfy the pleasure of each and every ish. Chazal suggested that this refers to the separate wills of Haman and Mordechai.
Let us clarify: were only Haman and Mordechai at the feast? No. Rather, all the Jews partook of it while the righteous ones, like Mordechai, abstained from even going.
I heard that in Yerushalaim it was said that those two were the only ones who really knew what they wanted. The others simply followed along.
Professor Chaim Weizman (who later became the first president of Israel) stated: "I know what I want. HaRav Yosef Chaim Zonnenfeld also knows exactly what he wants, while those lukewarm people in the middle who sometimes lean to the left or to the right — I can't understand them at all."
This is an apt description of the situation today. Here in the Holy Land, a battle is being waged on the principle of religion. The heads of the Leftist camp knew full well what they want. Their destructive objectives are fearfully very obvious. They want to be in power so that they can carry out whatever they plot.
On the other side is the Torah true public which also knows exactly what it wants: that the incitement cease, that the enemy desist from stomping on all that is holy and allow Torah to flourish in the land.
Still, there are many who do not sway either way but do blindly follow the Leftist herd without given it a thought. They simply lack any clarity in what they do but seek to side with the Left in trampling all that is holy.
We must stand steadfast at the head of what is right and ethical for man. The days of Purim bring in their wake much power, strength and courage to follow Mordechai's example of not bowing or kneeling and not give in to the many and different incidents of incitement and hate-mongering. This is the proper time to realize in action what we stand for and what is our obligation in the world. Our guiding light is Hashem's will, which is not influence by the masses and the idea of joining the benighted majority or thinking of the world.
HaRav Yaakov Galinsky zt"l was once talking with the Steipler, and he said that many times when he talks he sees that the audience is receptive to what he has to say, but he lacks that way to make a definitive impression that will be fully accepted.
The Steipler asked if he remembered the days when they were both in the Bialystok yeshiva, there were places in Russia that were very distant. There were ten close-by cities, but after the last one the weekly train would ride uninterruptedly for a full day. If one missed one of the stops at the nearby cities he could just take a horse and buggy to the next stop, because the trains were very slow. But if one missed the train at the last stop, he would have to wait until next week because there was no way to catch the train any more.
The Steipler explained the moshol. In Olam Hazeh there are many stops. There are a lot of opportunities to do the right thing and to reach Olam Haboh. Our generations are the last ones, however, and we must not miss the last stop.
We all see how the world is taking giant steps towards the Geulah. All the signs of Chazal are here. Hashem is calling to us. These are the last opportunities. Soon it will be too late. One has to open his ears and heart. Listen and your souls will live!
