What it Takes to Rise to Grandeur: A Comparison of Moshe and Mordechai

 Reading the Parsha this morning, I found a very clear comparison between Mordechai and Moshe. Both celebrated leaders stuck their head out for our people, refusing to shy away from conflict, sacrificing their own stature, and personal equanimity and serenity for the betterment of the whole. 

The reason I have chosen to compare them is the similarity in language used for both parties. It is rare in the Tanach for the verse to speak of the popularity and charisma of our leaders, and the following they beckon to rise to the call. With that said, the identical language is used to describe Moshe Rabbeinu and Mordechai. 

As for Moshe, "The LORD disposed the Egyptians favorably toward the people. Moreover, Moses himself was much esteemed in the land of Egypt, among Pharaoh’s courtiers and among the people." (https://www.sefaria.org.il/Exodus.11.3?lang=en&with=all&lang2=en)

Regarding Mordechai, "For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai waxed greater and greater." https://www.sefaria.org.il/sheets/59281.11?lang=en&with=all&lang2=en

The Hebrew word for esteem and great from the above translations is "גדול," and thus it would seem that the message is one and the same. 

Greatness, as a Jew, is sticking your head out. It wasn't simply Mordechai's refusal to bow to Haman, but rather the fact that as a chief minister, he donned a sackcloth rather than royal garments, seeing no value in his own pride if it diminished from that of his nation - and thus the ultimatum he gave Esther - if you, Esther, don't rise to the occasion, your family's namesake will be expunged for perpetuity.

That, likewise, was the quality Moshe bore. He stepped out of the palace, seeing his people's travails - and then, in this week's parsha, took his courage to new heights. After the plague of darkness, Pharaoh acquiesced that the Jewish men could leave, but without their livestock - at which point Moshe said, "You'll be giving us the livestock, then." 

This character trait is rare, bespeaking true grandeur, leading Hashem himself, and the Great Assembly to attest respectively to the greatness attained by both Moshe and Mordechai. 


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