אסתר, פרק ט׳, פסוק ט״ז

After the detailed events in the capital city of Shushan, the focus shifts to the vast Persian Empire, revealing the military campaign of the Jews scattered throughout the provinces. While the great Jewish leaders were concentrated in Shushan [אבן עזרא], the Jews in the outer regions had to gather together for survival [עמנואל הרומי]. This widespread population primarily lived in unwalled towns and rural villages [מלבי״ם, מנות הלוי], and likely included the Jewish residents of Judea who were suffering from local harassment at the time [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

A fascinating tactical and psychological evolution unfolded during the conflict. Unlike the Jews in walled cities who benefited from the protection of the king's officials, those in the rural areas lacked this political shield and had to physically fight their attackers [מלבי״ם]. Initially, facing uncertainty about the intentions of the local populations, their strategy was purely defensive. They gathered solely to protect themselves and save their own lives [אלשיך, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

However, the situation on the ground changed rapidly. The relief they experienced was not the holiday rest that would come the following day, but rather an immediate calm on the very day of battle, the thirteenth of Adar. The Jews realized their attackers were afraid to strike, resulting in unexpected quiet and the submission of their oppressors [אור חדש, מנות הלוי]. Recognizing their opponents' weakness and seeing that God was standing by their side, the Jews transitioned from a defensive posture to an offensive campaign [אלשיך, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The primary approach among commentators highlights a careful distinction between general enemies and active haters. While the Jews were content to simply experience relief and peace from their general enemies, they took proactive, offensive action against their haters—specifically the descendants of Amalek, who harbored a deep, natural hatred for the Jewish people [אלשיך, מלבי״ם]. Even though the immediate danger had passed, they did not settle for mere defense, choosing instead to eliminate these sworn adversaries [אור חדש, מנות הלוי].

Despite achieving a massive victory that resulted in seventy-five thousand casualties, the Jews completely refrained from taking any spoils. This restraint was not a coincidence but the result of an explicit warning from Mordecai. His intention was to unite the Jewish people in a single purpose, to sanctify the name of God, and to prove to the surrounding nations that their war was fought strictly for survival and the eradication of evil, rather than for personal financial gain [יוסף אבן יחיא].