8392 —שאלות על אסתר, תענית, בריאה ואור אלוקי

B"H, 29 Adar Sheni, 5722. Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z etc. Yitzchak Dubav

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Your letter from Adar Sheni was received. In response to your questions:

a) What is the decree that Esther was taken to the king's house when they did not know she was Jewish? Your intent is unclear: Even if Achashverosh did not know, does this mean there was no decree of forbidden relations on Esther? Furthermore, the decree "Vayikabetzu..." (and they were gathered...) applied also to the daughters of Israel.

b) What is the matter of the fast of Esther's maidens who were not Jewish? (Incidentally—in Megillas Setarim it is explained that they were Jewish.) Again your intent is unclear—after all, it is no less than with the animals in Nineveh (cattle and sheep). Furthermore, her servants were present (the law of a Canaanite servant—who has several mitzvos).

c) Regarding what is said that Creation was on the 25th (of Elul) and not on this day—this (the 25th) is only an allusion—as explained in Likkutei Torah D"H Sos Asis chapter 2.

d) Regarding what is said that the entire house was filled with light—memale kol almin (filling all worlds)—but a house is a surrounding entity; however, the light that fills the house is memale (immanent).

Your pidyon nefesh will be read at an auspicious time at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal.

Summary

The Rebbe addresses complex questions about Purim and creation by clarifying halachic and chassidic nuances. He emphasizes careful study and understanding of sources when grappling with deep Torah topics.