Lessons from Queen Esther: Treat Everyone Nicely

Treat Everyone Nicely

This Purim story teaches us that we should treat everyone nicely even those who are of a lower socio-economic status than us because they may actually save our life.

We can see this from Mordechai who sat by the king's gate because he gave a copy of the decree that had been signed with the king's signet to the king's wife. 

Mordechai who was technically a watchman, had therefore heard about the decree and even obtained a copy of it before the Queen herself heard about it.  

Therefore, do not look down on the watchman who opens the gate as you drive in to your prestigious office because he may know things that will affect your fate at that company.

In addition, make it a point to also treat that poor watchman nicely be being courteous because whether they decide to reveal that sensitive information to you may depend on how you treat them. 

In this instance we can see that when Queen Esther learnt that Mordechai was wearing sackcloth and ashes, she sent him some clothes to wear.

When he refused to wear those clothes, she sent one of the eunuchs that her husband the king, had appointed to take care of her to find out why he was mourning.

As a result of her efforts, she learnt of the decree that had been passed and she was even given a copy to see with her own eyes. 

Therefore even it is against protocol for you to talk to the watchman, find a way to find out why he looks unusually sad or distressed because by trying to solve his problem you may end up solving a problem you did not know you had.

Some may argue that Queen Esther was concerned about Mordechai's  welfare because he was her cousin and the one who had brought her up, but she could have easily abandoned him because she was now safely ensconced in the palace as the Queen and she had not told anyone that she was a Jew (Esther 2:10). However, Esther knew better than to behave that way.