In the Megillah, we find the great interdependence that Mordechai and Esther had upon each other. The Megillah provides us with significant detail as to their interaction in bringing about the Purim result. What lesson is the Anshei K’Nesses HaGedolah, with their Nevua and Ruach HaKodesh, teaching us with this detail?

We may suggest that it was not Mordechai alone or Esther alone whose actions could have brought about Haman’s downfall, as each one of them--although Mordechai was a Navi, and Esther was a Neviah--would have "fallen short." Each of them was truly needed--but, moreover, both of them were needed together.

Mordechai had to advise Esther not to reveal her nation, and Esther had to tell Mordechai to gather the people together. Mordechai had to tell Esther that she must seek an audience with the king at the threat of her life, and Esther had to tell Mordechai to fast for three days and three nights, overriding the matzah and wine of the Seder night.

Indeed, we are taught in Avos (6:6) "One who says something in the name of the one who originally said it brings Geulah (Redemption (!)) to the World, as the Pasuk says, ‘And Esther [relayed the plot of Bigsan V’Seresh] to the King in the name of Mordechai’". Why do we learn the importance of correctly attributing statements from Esther and Mordechai--and why is it this act that brings Redemption to the world? The same teaching appears to emerge--that we should not view ourselves as individuals with our own task, our own goals, to accomplish. Because Esther brought Mordechai into the picture, Purim resulted. We need each other, and we need to join together, to fight the battles we have in this world.

For example:

• If I trouble myself to go to a Mincha minyan during lunch hour and do not urge my friend to do likewise, we are not in it together.

• If I know something about a particular restaurant or a certain Hashgacha (utilizing the appropriate standards of Shemiras HaLashon--ask your Rav or call the Shemiras HaLashon Hotline at 718-951-3656 if you need guidance or have any particular questions), should I not tell my friend about it, as well?

• If a friend is consistently talking in shul, should I be worried about discussing the sanctity of the Beis HaK’nesses with him?

• If I learned a practical Halacha that affects everyone’s everyday life, should I not relate it to a colleague who I notice is not aware of it?

• If I heard a moving Torah thought or even a lesson-filled story, should I not share it with my family and friends?

We must join--and bring others--together, and we must not be embarrassed, ashamed or feel that we are acting "holier than thou" to tell others that they, too, are needed.

In fact, from last week’s special Parsha, Parshas Shekalim, we learned that the Mitzvah of Machatzis HaShekel applies equally to the rich and the poor--one cannot give more, the other less. The Sefer HaChinuch, in explaining the Mitzvah, writes that the lesson of the Torah is everyone joining equally together to participate, rather than the Mitzvah being left to the more knowledgeable, more sensitive, or even more worthy, few.

There is usually no reason why one should "know better" or "do better" than the other person. In the Brocha of Hashivenu in Shemone Esrei, we ask "...and bring us back to Teshuvah Shleima before You." The commentaries on the Siddur explain that this is a Tefillah not only for oneself, but for all of K’lal Yisroel--and that we should think about all of our brethren when saying these words (see Sefer Avodas HaTefillah). Our lives are in so many ways joint projects--we should do our part in encouraging others to join with us to reach our deeply-meaningful goals.