This article is courtesy of Innernet Magazine

Rabbi Meir Leibush was a great 19th century Talmudic scholar who lived in Eastern Europe. Known as the Malbim -- the acronym of his name -- he wrote a powerful and enduring commentary on the Megillah, the Book of Esther that we read on Purim.

In this essay, the Malbim takes one verse from the Megillah, asks a series of penetrating questions, and then answers them with profundity and wisdom. It is a classic example of sharp Talmudic analysis.

“Then Haman said to King Achashverosh, 'There is a certain people, scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their religions are different from all people, and they do not adhere to the king's laws. It is not worth it for the king to leave them as they are.'” (Scroll of Esther 3:8)

THE MALBIM ASKS
1) Why would a ruler assent to the extermination of an entire people that committed no crime?

2) If, in his inhumanity, Achashverosh had agreed to this genocide, why does he express such surprise when Esther tells him about it, exclaiming to her, "Who is this and what is this, that he dares to do such a thing?" (Esther 7:5) Is the mass destruction of an entire nation such an insignificant matter that it slipped his memory?

3) Furthermore, if Achashverosh did consent to Haman's request, why is he so enraged with Haman when Esther tells him of Haman's plan?

4) Why does Achashverosh allow Esther to write the whole narrative for posterity (Esther 9:29-32), a story in which he will be remembered, disgraced for eternity as the ruler who was willing to have the entire Jewish people exterminated?

5) Why does Haman not mention the Jewish people by name, saying only that "there is a certain people"?

6) Why are the words "scattered" and "dispersed" both used?

7) Why say "their religions" in the plural? Why does it say that "their religions are different from all people"? It should say, "...are different from the religions of all people. "

8) When the decree is written by the scribes and distributed by the runners, it commands people "to destroy, kill, and eradicate all the Jews." However, Haman, when speaking to Achashverosh, suggests only that they "should be eradicated." Why does Haman not speak also of destroying and killing?

THE MALBIM ANSWERS
Haman deceived the king in two respects. First, he never told him that the people he was maligning was the Jewish nation. The Jews were distinguished for their wisdom, and Achashverosh would never have agreed to Haman's request. Haman therefore cunningly said, "There is a certain people" -- a nation so obscure that they cannot even be referred to by name.

Second, if Achashverosh had been aware that Haman's intention was extermination, he would not have agreed even if the nation concerned was the most lowly and despicable. [That's why Haman needed] to vilify this nation as harmful to all the provinces, both in their religion and their behavior. If they were living by themselves, in their own province, they would pose little danger of adversely affecting people living in neighboring provinces. Even if they lived in provinces inhabited by other people, but lived separately in their own towns, the adverse influence would be small and the king would not have condoned their wholesale slaughter.

Therefore, Haman said that they are scattered -- they do not have their own province. They are also dispersed -- they do not live in their own separate towns. Rather they are found among all the provinces of your kingdom. Their harmful influence is to be found everywhere.

Haman then describes how this influence can be dangerous in two areas. First, in the area of their religion:
1) Their religion is different from other religions.
2) All religions, by definition, are different from each other. However, they usually differ only in beliefs and underlying principles. Actual religious practices are usually very similar. The Jewish religion, though, has so many laws and practices that it seems to be composed of many religions, all of which are radically different from other religions.

3) Not only is their religion different, but the Jews themselves are intrinsically different from all people. Their religion separates them from other people through differences in the food they eat and the clothes they wear. This separation leads to differences in their national character.

Second, [said Haman], in the area of public order they are very dangerous -- they do not adhere to the king's laws. Even though these laws do not conflict with their religious beliefs and only require compliance with their fiscal duty to the king, they flagrantly disregard them. The possibility that others will learn from their terrible example must be avoided at all costs.

[Haman claimed that] no possible gain from leaving them undisturbed could outweigh the damage they might cause; it is not worth it for the king to leave them as they are.