What's Achashverosh's Personality?

To get into the Purim spirit, I want to blog a bit about the personality of one of the main characters in the Book of Esther, the Megillah that we read on the holiday of Purim.

In general, the seven personalities in The Seven Ways are learned out from the Ushpizin (Avraham, Yiztchak, Ya’akov, etc.). These Ushpizin are the central figures in Tanach (Jewish scriptures). But what about the other people in Tanach? Do they tell us new personalities?

The answer is ‘no.’ In actuality, the other characters in Tanach have the same seven as the Ushpizin. So the Ushpizin are the primary examples that we learn from and all other characters are just additional manifestations of the seven.

Purim is coming up and, if you look closely, you’ll see that Achashverosh has a very specific personality.

The book of Esther begins with King Achashverosh making a party for all his ministers and servants and the army of Persia and Media, and the nobles and ministers of the 127 provinces in his kingdom. He showed a great deal of his wealth at the party.

But who is this Achashverosh? The Gemara tells us that Achashverosh was once a stable boy. He became king by marrying Vashti who was queen at that time (she inherited the throne because her grandfather was Nevuchadnetzar.) So a stable boy became king because the queen liked him? Do you think that kind of stuff would have happened in the cruel dictatorships of Nevuchadnetzar or Paroh? I think not. Grandpa would not be proud.

And would those two dictators have had 127 different countries under their rule? No way! They would unite them into one big mega-empire! And would they have sent out letters to each of those 127 countries in their own languages like Achashverosh did? I think not! Same thing! I just added a similar question for added affect!

And why would Achashverosh let so many people come into his palace? Wasn’t that dangerous? Isn’t he afraid of everyone infiltrating the capitol and plundering his wealth?

So who is this Achashverosh guy?

The truth is that Achashverosh was a very different ruler than Nevuchadnetzar or Paroh. Rulers like Paroh are Malchus rulers. They rule with an iron fist and dictate every single thing that happens in their empire. But Achashverosh is different. He’s a Yisod. And fortunate for him, the Persian Empire and, consequently, the world, became Yisod-compatible places.

A Yisod is a leader who uses dynamic and innovative means to influence the public. They have new ideas and new ways to improve society. They don’t dictate like Malchus leaders do; they motivate and encourage. They look at people for who they are and they entrust others.

Yisods have natural leadership abilities. They want to work with people and are open to listen to new ideas. They have a certain charm and pizazz. You get excited around them. They draw a crowd and they love influencing other people’s thinking. Achashverosh led the Persian empire in a brand new way.

In other words, Achashverosh is one of the most famous types of Yisod: the Politician.

Achashverosh sent messages to each province in its own language because he wanted them to feel important. He didn’t send an army to destroy them, rather, he tried to work *with* them. He invited so many officers to his palace to wine and dine them and get them on his side. You get more flies with honey than with vinegar. In other words, the political atmosphere in the world changed so that multiculturalism and the type of politics that we have today could be tolerated. A stable boy could become king if had the right ideas and he was a good politician. Achashverosh was the right Yisod in the right place at the right time.

(I’m not sure what Yisods did before this era in history. Maybe they used to hang out with their good buddies the Tiferes people or maybe they just swung business deals and got rich without ever hoping to be in charge of actual countries. But one thing it for sure. They couldn’t have been so happy.)

But, unfortunately for Achashverosh, this openness led to problems. One big problem was paranoia. Achashverosh barricaded himself up in his palace and worried all day about assassination attempts. His openness opened up the door to evil. Little did he know that Haman--the man who he should fear the most--was sitting next to him all along.

But ultimately, his openness to marry Esther saved him because Esther brought her brave heroism and her Uncle Mordechai into the equation. The two heroes ended up being the people who saved the day.

And...speaking of Paroh...hopefully before Pesach I’ll blog a bit about Paroh’s Malchus personality. There’s a lot to say about that and it’ll try to give you some good stuff to say at the Seder.

You should have a fun, festive Purim. Let the Mitzvahs of Purim give you a new openness to reach new heights in your Judaism. Give two foods to two people who you should become better friends with. Listen to the deep lessons of the Megillah. Give Tzedakah money to people who need it.

And may the wine of Purim open you up to connect with other Jews and break down the barriers between you and other people.

Rabbi Bailey

Bailey Blog Update

My computer has been in the shop, so I haven't been able to blog so much lately but I'll give you two updates to keep The Seven Ways blog alive and kicking.



First of all, I finally got to my 10th punch on my card and a free bagel. (I'm not sure if 'Mazel Tov' if appropriate because it isn't really a religious activity, but I did eat the last one on Rosh Chodesh so that does count for *something*, right?) I actually got the puch *again* in a Yisod-type way because I forgot to get a punch *again* and went back and because I was friendly and asked the guy his name he remembered me and gave me the punch. Pretty good, right? It's a good thing when rabbis take their own advice!


And one of our avid readers gave me a card with three punches on it, so thank you readers! Incidentally, I do get a Mazel Tov because I finished the Gemara Kesuvos and we made an amazing Siyum party on Friday night in our apartment. I'm telling you because you should know that Torah is far more important that bagels. ;-)


Also, Yonatan Razel, the Tiferes musician I interviewed a few blogs ago won Song of the Year in the end. That's pretty cool. He won it for the song Tzion, check out that and other songs of his in an online video watching thing (you know what I mean lol) or at your local CD store.


Until next time when I get my computer back, you should have a great healthy week, and I'll keep writing The Seven Ways. I'm actually about half done so pray for me to finish and get a good publishing deal and it'll be in stores before you know it.


Rabbi Bailey

You Need Someone Like You

Have you ever been to a simchat bat? Well, I haven't either. Until recently, that is.

I'm sitting at the end of a long table on the men's side of the small hall. There are about 10 men at my table and we all have various types of bagels and spreads in front of us (it's Friday and it's the morning so the family decided to get lighter food save our stomachs—than you family). The women are behind me on the other side of the room. There are various cute babies and toddlers roaming around. The schmoozing has reached a high peak and the speeches begin.


First, one of the parents of the baby girl speaks. It's their first child and they are both near 40 years old. There are a lot of wet eyes in the house.

After the parent finishes speaking I hear a rumor go around that the father of the mother of the baby girl is going to speak. Now I’ve heard about this man before. I heard that he learned in a very prestigious yeshiva and that he knows tons of Torah. I expect to see a sagely old man with a big white beard and a long coat, with a Gemara in one hand and a thumb wagging in the other. Boy am I wrong.

He is tall and slim, with a snazzy dark green suit and tie and a freshly pressed white shirt. His face is clean shaven—which is rare for a rabbi who is well into his 60s—and his hair is neat and combed. His voice is clear and captivating, yet not overpowering. I can tell after 2 seconds that he is *clearly* a Yisod.

He speaks well, capturing the audiences’ attention. He gives his own innovative interpretation of a Gemara in Niddah and explains why we have a tradition of having a ‘Shalom Zachar” celebration for a boy on the Friday night after he is born and no such tradition for a girl. Because the baby boy is going to have a bris done to him the week after he is born, he needs to be blessed by many people to be healthy and well--hence “Shalom” “completeness” to the “Zachar” “male.” But no such tradition was necessary for a baby girl because she doesn’t receive a bris. But nonetheless, such a party is a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of another fine Jewish daughter entering into the covenant of our people.

I must admit I was very taken back by this rabbi. I looked at him and I literally saw myself in 40 years. I decided to get his number and, after I got the guts to call him, I visited with him and spoke to him on the phone several times. He gave me invaluable advice on being a Yisod rabbi because he himself was involved in Jewish education for over 45 years. We connected on a special level because we have the same personality.

Based on this, I have a new idea for you. I think that everyone needs two types of role models. First, everyone needs a rabbi to take Jewish advice from. He can guide you in the way of the Torah and Jewish law. But it’s important to also have a role model who has your own personality. If you are a Netzach you need Netzach guidance. If you are a Gevurah go out and find a successful, emotionally healthy Gevurah to be your role model. The same is true for all personalities. Each one needs both a rabbi for rabbinic guidance and a role model for personality guidance. That way you can learn from someone who can give you the most accurate advice based on your personality.

For all of you Yisods out there I hope you find someone as special as my new role model. For everyone else, use The Seven Ways to help you find someone with your personal Way and it will make all the difference.

I had a wonderful time at that simchat bat and it’s still the only one I’ve ever been to. Whether you have a boy or a girl, a simchat bat or a bris, a meaty kiddush or a bagel spread you should have Shalom, completeness, health and happiness.

Rabbi Bailey