What do Aharon and Achasherosh have in common? Answer - everything and nothing. As noted in a much earlier shiur, there are many connections between Purim and Pesach - one being the drinking of wine to the level of inebriation (think 4 cups, preferably intoxicating - downed in one go...and two of them on an empty stomach). The Megilla has drink after drink after drink. At the beginning of the story, Achashverosh walks in, dressed in the clothes of Aharon the High Priest - attempting to display how he is just like that original pursuer of peace. But he was an ersatz Aharon, serving the self, rather than the people. Diametrically opposed to Aharon's selflessness and care for others

In his homogeneous approach, this plastic man was displaying himself (and others - to their detriment - think Vashti) and his own splendour - in the end, a lack of dignity. Just a dedicated follower of fashion. The real splendour belongs to Aharon - who recognised the dignity of difference. Splendour is defined in the dictionary as 'great beauty that attracts admiration and attention'. Is this what Aharon HaKohen was doing? Certainly not! Is this what Achasverosh was doing? Certainly yes. Splendor - perhaps the closest word we have for Hod - its first appearance in the Omer. It suggests real relationship, real peace between all. Peace through acts of kindness.

Let us see how we can trace this, scrolling through Megillas Esther, Megillas Shir Hashirim and to Megillas Rus...

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