Haman attempted to destroy the Jewish People through promising the Persian King Achashverosh the sum of 10,000 talents of silver.

The Talmud explains that whenever we find the word "King" in the Megillah it refers not only to Achashverosh, but also to G-d, the ultimate King of Kings. Indeed the very name Achashverosh refers to G-d. "Achar" means after, whereas "Rosh" means beginning. Hence, Achashverosh means the One who is the "master of the beginning and the end" – G-d.

This means that the Persian king was nothing but an agent of G-d. Everything he said and did was according to G-d's Will. (In truth, this applies not only to Achashverosh but to all rulers, as it says in the Book of Proverbs: "the heart of Kings (and Ministers) is in the Hand of G-d".

As such, Haman was attempting to bribe not only the King, but G-d A-lmighty Himself! He would present to the King of Kings the 10,000 silver talents that he would seize from the Jews.

The Talmud however explains that this tactic did not work. G-d told Haman, "Their silver has preceded your silver". By giving the Half Shekel donation that each Jew is required to contribute each year during the month of Adar - the decree against the Jewish People was ultimately averted.

What is the Midrash telling us?

There are things that we are all destined to "give up". It may be money, it may possessions, or it may be our creative talents, our energy, effort and toil. We may have been given control over their use, but they were never really ours to keep.

We can choose to keep G-d's gifts to ourselves until seized from us in what is often a painful manner. Or we can chose to give of them freely to a worthwhile cause. The choice is entirely ours.

In the words of the Victorian artist and sculptor, George Frederic Watts, "What I spent, I had, What I saved, I lost, What I gave, I have".

A very powerful lesson for our times.

On behalf of the Rebbetzen and all of us at South Head, I wish you a safe, healthy and peaceful Shabbos. 

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM