Photo Credit: Jewish Press
We learn in the Targum that when Mordechai was told the decree against the Jewish people was approved by the Heavenly Court, he immediately tore his clothes, donned sackcloth, placed ashes on his head, and cried, âWoe, how terrible is this decree of Achashverosh and Haman that doesnât only affect some of our people, but seeks to uproot and annihilate our entire nation.â
Mordechai HaTzaddik gathered all the Jews and said to them: âHavenât you heard about the decree to wipe us all out? We donât have a king to rely on, we have no prophets, and we have nowhere to escape. We are like a flock without a shepherd, a ship without a captain, and children without parents.â