1)

Why did he say "Yeshnu Am Echad"?

1.

Torah Temimah citing Megilah 13b: No one knows how to speak Lashon ha'Ra as well as Haman. He told Achashverosh 'let us destroy them; the king feared 'lest their G-d do to me like He did to those before me (e.g. Pharaoh or Sancheriv).' Haman said, do not worry. Yashnu (Yisrael are sleeping) from the Mitzvos. The king said, there are Rabanan among them (who are doing Mitzvos)! Haman said, they are one nation (all are sleeping).

2)

Why did he not explicitly say Yisrael?

1.

Vilna Gaon: Haman feared lest the king say that he loves Mordechai.

2.

Malbim: Yisrael were known for being a wise nation. Had Achashverosh known, he would not have agreed 1 .


1

Initially, the king asked "Chachamim Yod'ei ha'Itim" (i.e. of Yisrael) how to judge Vashti (refer to 1:13:1:1). However, Malbim explains unlike Megilah 14a, which implies that he was eager to get rid of Yisrael (refer to3:11:11)! Perhaps Malbim explains how the Megilah is written in a way that does not condemn Achashverosh. (PF)

3)

Why did he say "Mefuzar u'Mefurad Bein ha'Amim"?

1.

Torah Temimah citing Megilah 13b: Do not think that I will make a bald patch in your kingdom - "they are scattered among the nations." Do not think that there is benefit from them - "u'Mefurad" they are scattered like a Predah (mule) which bears no fruit" (Maharsha - we expound u'Mefurad because it is extra. It already says "Mefuzar".)

2.

Vilna Gaon: They themselves are Mefuzar (scattered). They are Mefurad (separated) from the nations - they don't intermarry with them. No one will advocate merit for them.

3.

Malbim: They are scattered among the Medinos, and in each Medinah, they are not in their own cities, rather, mixed in the different neighborhoods [and have a terrible influence on the nations].

4.

R. Y. Y. Rinas: All their inner arguments and squabbles, they take them outside to Reshus ha'Rabim, Bein ha'Amim. Thanks to this, we know all their lacks and weaknesses, and how to fight and defeat them.

4)

Why did he say "b'Chol Medinos Malchusecha"?

1.

Torah Temimah citing Megilah 13b: Do not think that there is a small province of them - "in all provinces of your kingdom. 1 "

2.

Malbim: They are a bad influence on all the nations.


1

So Rashi explained. Maharsha - he already said that he will not make a bald patch because they are scattered! Rather, do not think that you can gather and resettle them in a small province, for there are too many - "in all (127) provinces of your kingdom").

5)

What is the consequence of "v'Daseihem Shonos"?

1.

Torah Temimah citing Megilah 13b: They do not eat our food, and don't marry our women or our men.

2.

Vilna Gaon: All hate them, and will not want to spare them. No one will bear [ill will] in his heart for this (eradicating them).

3.

Malbim: Their Emunos are different than those of all nations. Indeed, every creed is different than others in its root, but the details are common. Yisrael have many Mitzvos totally unlike the nations. Their food, dress and conduct are unlike all others.

6)

How do they not keep the king's laws?

1.

Torah Temimah citing Megilah 13b: The entire year they avoid work, saying 'today is Shabbos' or 'today is Pesach'


1

His words imply that they do not pay taxes. However, on verse 9, he explained that Haman offered money in place of the taxes that you would have gotten from them! Perhaps the text should say 'it not worth leaving them for the tax that you receive from them' (Magihah in Perush ha'Gra ha'Shalem).

7)

Why is it not worth leaving them (alive)?

1.

Torah Temimah citing Megilah 13b: They eat and drink and despise the kingdom! If one of them found a fly in his wine, he removes the fly and drinks. If you would touch the cup, he would spill it on the ground and not drink it.

2.

Rashi: There is no concern, i.e. gain from leaving them.

3.

Vilna Gaon: You get nothing from them 1 .

4.

Malbim: You do not have any benefit from them equal to the damage from leaving them.


1

Refer to 3:8:6:2*.

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