Parashat Tetzaveh - Purim
Question
A Guten Erev Shabbos, and Erev Purim!
This week, we will Be’Ezrat Hashem present a very interesting question on the Megillas Esther.
It is written in the Megillah, Perek 8, Pasuk 17:
(יז) וּבְכָל מְדִינָה וּמְדִינָה וּבְכָל עִיר וָעִיר מְקוֹם אֲשֶׁר דְּבַר הַמֶּלֶךְ וְדָתוֹ מַגִּיעַ שִׂמְחָה וְשָׂשׂוֹן לַיְּהוּדִים מִשְׁתֶּה וְיוֹם טוֹב וְרַבִּים מֵעַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ מִתְיַהֲדִים כִּי נָפַל פַּחַד הַיְּהוּדִים עֲלֵיהֶם
Meaning: after the Jews gathered to defend themselves and kill, any armed force that would attack them, the nations of the world became afraid of the Jews, and they converted to Judaism out of fear.
How could such a conversion be considered valid? If they converted out of fear, Halachically such a conversion would not be considered valid.
Answer
The Biur HaGra on the Megillah writes that indeed, they were not true converts. Rather, they were “misyahadim”, they only disguised themselves as Jews out of fear.
And the Sfas Emes, in his Likkutim, writes that this is actually the source for the custom of wearing costumes on Purim, it’s a remembrance of how the gentiles disguised themselves as Jews at that time.
However, the Midrash. In Esther Rabbah 6:2, it seems like their conversion was for real:
אסתר רבה (וילנא) פרשה ו', סימן ב':
"וי"א שהיה שקול כאברהם בדורו… אף מרדכי בימיו הכירו הבריות גדולתו של הקדוש ברוך הוא… הה"ד ורבים מעמי הארץ מתיהדים - וייחד שמו של הקדוש ברוך הוא וקדשו…"
The Midrash compares Mordechai to Avraham Avinu, saying that just as Avraham brought people under the wings of the Shechinah, Mordechai did the same, and that “רבים מעמי הארץ מתיהדים” means they truly converted.
Similarly, Rashi in Yevamos 24b implies that “מתייהדים” means actual conversion.
According to the Midrash and Rashi – How Can This Be Understood?
In Sefer Netaei Eisan (Vol. 1, HaNitzanim, §2), it explains that the phrase “כִּי נָפַל פַּחַד הַיְּהוּדִים עֲלֵיהֶם” does not refer to fear of the Jews themselves.
Instead, he explains that the fear that the Jews had of Hashem, which they acquired through the miracle of Haman’s downfall, brought them to tremendous level of Yiras HaRomemus. That spiritual level influenced even the nations, inspiring them to convert sincerely.
The Sfas Emes (Purim 5643) offers another explanation:
The Sfas Emes asks; why were the Gentiles afraid of the Jews at all; as the jews only killed those who rose up against them? There was no reason to be afraid.
Explains the Sfas Emes that the words “עֲלֵיהֶם” refers to the Amalekim, they are the ones that prevented the nations of the world from converting. Once the fear of the Jews fell upon the Amalekim, then other nations were able to convert freely.
Halachah Le’Maaseh (In Practice)
Moreinu, HaGaon HaRav Amram Fried shlit”a, writes that in our times, when people come to convert , we have to properly investigate and clarify what is motivating him to convert.
When a person comes to be megayer, we examine his reasons. We ask him clearly if he has any ulterior motives, such as financial considerations, wanting honor or authority, some kind of fear, or maybe he has set his eyes on a Jewish woman. And if it is a woman coming to convert, we check whether she has set her eyes on a Jewish man.
If any of these motives are present, we do not accept the conversion.
However, bedieved, the geirus is valid in any case, provided that he truly and wholeheartedly accepted upon himself the yoke of Torah and mitzvos with complete sincerity.
On behalf of the entire Sheilot team, we wish you a Shabbos Shulem Umevoyroch, and a Purim Sameach!
