The Wicked Who Build Their Own Gallows

In the ancient Persian city of Shushan, a gallows stood ready. Fifty cubits high—over seventy feet tall—it loomed as a monument to hatred, built by Haman to execute the Jew, Mordecai. Yet by nightfall, it was Haman himself who swung from those beams, while Mordecai wore the king’s signet ring. As the Book of Esther declares:

This dramatic reversal—this “venahafoch hu“—forms the beating heart of Purim, when a genocide became a celebration, when mourning transformed into dancing.

Every year as Purim approaches, Jewish communities worldwide erupt with the celebratory chant: “Venahafoch, venahafoch hu!” (“It reversed! It reversed!”) But what does this reversal truly mean? Why does God choose to reverse evil rather than prevent it entirely? Couldn’t the Almighty have simply stopped Haman’s plot before it began? There must be something deeper in these divine reversals that we’re meant to understand.

As Rabbi Ayal Vered explains, to grasp the meaning of “venahafoch hu,” consider a drawing technique known as a double-face. When you look at such an image, you might see a young man, but turn the page 180 degrees, and suddenly an old man appears using the same lines. Where did this second image come from? It was always there—we simply needed to shift our perspective to see it.

Here’s what makes this concept so powerful: “venahafoch hu” doesn’t mean God simply canceled Haman’s plan and created a new one. Instead, God took the very same elements—the gallows, the royal decree, Haman’s network of allies—and repurposed them for salvation. This isn’t about replacing evil with good; it’s about revealing how what appeared to be evil was always part of God’s redemptive plan. Everything—yes, everything—serves God’s purpose, even when it initially appears to work against His people.

The Purim story demonstrates this principle throughout. Consider how Haman’s meticulous plans for destruction—his carefully designed gallows, his detailed intelligence on Jewish communities, his accumulated wealth—all became instruments for Jewish salvation. When Mordecai was appointed over Haman’s house, these resources were turned upside down, becoming the very means of delivering God’s people.

This reveals that God’s presence is not limited to sacred spaces—the whole world is filled with His glory. Haman’s vast wealth, accumulated for Jewish destruction, ultimately funded the building of the Second Temple in Jerusalem—providing precisely the resources the Jews could not raise themselves.

Purim teaches us about God working behind the scenes. In fact, God’s name isn’t mentioned even once in the entire Book of Esther, yet His hand is clearly guiding every event. Like a master playwright, God works through seemingly ordinary circumstances—political intrigues, banquets, sleepless nights—to bring about extraordinary salvation. What appears to be random chance reveals itself as divine providence.

This is the deep secret of Purim: There is no place devoid of God’s presence. Everything serves His purpose, even—perhaps especially—those forces that appear most opposed to Him. Like undercover agents unaware of their true employer, God’s enemies advance His will while believing they act for themselves.

The Purim story offers us a powerful model for today’s challenges. After the October 7th massacre, Israel365 Action emerged to apply these ancient principles to modern reality. Founded by Rabbi Tuly Weisz, this movement refuses to accept the failed policies of the left-wing establishment that promoted appeasement, territorial concessions, and the deadly delusion of a two-state solution that led directly to the October 7th massacre.

Just as Mordecai transformed Haman’s plans against the Jews into a means for their salvation, Israel365 Action seeks to transform the current political landscape by redirecting substantial funding to secure Jewish communities in our biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria. And just as Esther courageously stepped forward “for such a time as this,” Israel365 Action is raising bold new leadership that speaks truth without apology, refusing to continue the failed policies that led to October 7th.

The World Zionist Congress elections, running from March 10th through May 4th, give us all an opportunity to participate in a “venahafoch hu” moment. We need to vote NOW online! By voting for Israel365 Action (Slate #7), we become part of writing the next chapter in Jewish history—not a story of retreat and fear, but of strength, security, and sovereignty. Every single vote matters in this critical election that will determine who controls substantial funding and policy decisions regarding Israel’s future.

The message of Purim isn’t just ancient history—it’s a battle plan for today. Our enemies surrounded us on October 7th, confident in our defeat. But God isn’t finished writing Israel’s story. The same Hamas tunnels meant for our destruction will become their graves. The same global antisemitism meant to isolate us will awaken true allies to stand with us. The same UN condemnations meant to delegitimize us will expose our enemies’ true intentions.

But this divine reversal demands our action. Mordecai didn’t just pray—he mobilized. Esther didn’t just hope—she risked everything. Now it’s our turn. Vote for Israel365 Action (Slate #7) NOW and join the movement that refuses to apologize for Jewish strength, that defends our God-given right to Judea and Samaria, and that will build the uncompromising Zionist future our enemies fear and our children deserve. The tables are about to turn again—be part of the victory!