The Purim story revolves around a mighty empire that extends across the known world in the royal court of a king who is ostensibly the embodiment of power and authority. It presents a fascinating commentary on the nature of power and where we think it lies.
In the story, this mighty empire uses its reach to send and recall conflicting and contradictory messages, and the great king cannot make his own decisions; he relies heavily on the counsel of others and never makes a decision on his own.
The story opens with the king’s grandeur and luxury, with his lavish parties and extravagant display of wealth serving as a testament to his power and greatness in the eyes of his subjects. Machiavelli suggests that perceptions of a ruler’s greatness can significantly influence their hold on power, as people are more swayed by what they see than by the ruler’s intrinsic qualities or moral standing.
Power has two components: a physical and enforceable element and a subjective belief, and beliefs are much stronger. When everyone believes something, it can be as real as hitting a wall. Correspondingly, physical enforcement of power may be weak or non-existent, but no one knows until cracks in the wall of belief appear, and the illusion quickly disappears.
Consensus reality and accepted truths are ironic; you can be tangibly right about something in the real world, but until subjective belief comes around, it doesn’t matter. You might as well be wrong. This applies to so much in human society, including negative and positive perceptions, cultural norms, the stock market, leadership, brand recognition, credibility, and accepted truth.
Power resides where men believe it resides. It’s a trick, a shadow on the wall.
The king’s insecurity is revealed to all when Queen Vashti refuses to appear before his guests, and he executes her. While seemingly assertive, this act is transparently a desperate attempt by Achashverosh to save face and reassert his power, a power that is continually undermined by his own ineffectiveness.
His entire rule was characterized by rashness and indecision, like hastily executing his first wife but flip-flopping on the state genocide policy. Instilling fear among people in this way led to instability and unpredictability, undermining his authority and failing to secure loyalty or respect in a meaningful way, as is borne out in the rest of the story.
Throughout the story, the king is portrayed as spineless, underscoring the illusory nature of his power, which, though vast, is hollow at its core. This kind of power is illusory, a paper tiger, something that appears threatening but is, in reality, ineffectual and unable to withstand challenge; the king was incredibly powerful politically yet fundamentally weak.
In stark contrast to the power of the Persian empire, Mordechai is completely powerless, and yet he is by far the strongest character in the story, upright and unshakeable. He bravely stands alone, helping others find their courage, first Esther and then his people.
Initially seen as a minor figure, Mordechai derives strength from his moral conviction and unwavering faith. His refusal to bow to Haman challenged the empire’s power structure; his seemingly small act began to crack the wall of subjective belief that upheld the existing order. Esther’s journey also sees her evolve from a passive queen to a proactive savior, finding belief in her own power to the point of becoming the catalyst for redemption and helping her people find the power to fight for survival.
The Purim story challenges conventional notions of power, presenting a world where the seemingly strong are weak, and the ostensibly weak possess true strength. Victory does not go to the mighty empire but to the brave people united by courage and moral conviction, inspired by Mordechai and Esther.
The empire, with its grandeur and vastness, is a facade masking the emptiness of his leadership. In contrast, the real power lies in the moral integrity and bravery of individuals like Mordechai and Esther.
The Purim story is a timeless and relevant reminder that in our value system, respect will not be found in the flashy and superficial displays of grandeur and wealth or the empty and meaningless flexes of power and politics.
Respectable authority and capability are not found in titles or thrones but in our character, integrity, and ability to help and inspire others.