Dear Rabbi Kornfeld;
I'm having a little difficulty understanding some of the Purim story against the background of the final days of the miracle taking place on the 14th, 15th and 16th of Nisan. I understand the fast on Yom Tov as an "emergency" declared by the chachamim in Shushan. However, here's 2 examples of what seem to be problems, even in light of the declared "emergency" (there are others too).
1. Esther wouldn't tell the king of her ancestry, yet the banquets were on the nights of the 15th and 16th of Nisan; this would have been the 1st 2 days of Yom Tov shel galiyos, and Esther would have been eating Matza... which surely would have given away her identity. (BTW, what about the 1st banquet that took place in the middle of her fast? How was she able
to continue to fast while at a banquet?) It seems illogical that they would have "banqueted" in separate places (as in the "state" banquets described in the opening pesukim of the Megila), this was a "private" party. Therefore, it seems that they would have seen each other during the meal, and that all would have been served bread at a banquet like this one. How was Esther able to keep her "secret" while either fasting, or dealing with the halachos of Pesach at the banquets? It would seem that eating chametz on Pesach only in order to further conceal her identity shouldn't have been "covered" by the emergency that was declared?
2. When Haman was instructed by the king to honor Mordechai with the parade through the streets, he found Mordechai darshening on the Mincha (korban ha'Omer) because it was the 16th. This was also the 2nd day of Yom Tov shel galiyos. How could Mordechai take a haircut, go to the bathhouse and ride the king's horse through the streets on Yom Tov? And, even though
it seems Haman told Mordechai that purpose was because the king wanted to see him, it really wasn't to "appear" before the king (as it was with Yosef on Rosh HaShana). How was Mordechai able to order Haman to cut his hair and attend his bath, as well as ride the king's horse through town on the 2nd day of Yom Tov Pesach shel galiyos? And since Mordechai went back to
sackcloth and teshuva after this event, he clearly knew that these things were not the complete "yeshu'as Hash-m". Even if he rode the horse because of the command of the king, how could he be permitted to do these other things on Yom Tov?
wishing you and yours a chag sa'may'ach,
Jeff Ram
Excellent questions!
As to the first question, remember that Esther arranged the banquet, and ordered the dishes. It may have been just fruit, wine, and meat -- no bread (except for Matzoh meal for the Shnitzel)
For the second question, your reference to Yosef is in order; it is permitted to perform a Melachah through a non-Jew (and perhaps to ride a horse and other Melachos d'Rabanan) for the honor of the king. If the king says, "Do this!" you honor him by doing so, even if you do not appear before him. That is why it was permitted for Mordechai to do what he did on Yom Tov Sheni.
Be well, and Chag Sameach, Mordecai