There’s an interesting parallel between this week’s parsha and the upcoming holiday of Purim. This week, in the first Torah portion since Moshe was born, his name is not mentioned. Despite receiving instructions that we know God is imparting to the people through Moshe, and despite knowing that he is, of course, the leader of the people, he is absent.
And, this coming week, we will read the fantastical story of Esther as we celebrate Purim. It’s an incredible story about good overcoming evil, about the people’s ability to overcome a decree against them. It was nearly impossible to overthrow Haman’s decree, and yet somehow, the mighty group of Jews led by Esther and Mordechai were able to prevail. Despite the fact that we might feel there was no way for this outcome to happen without Divine intervention, God’s name is nowhere to be found in the entire Megillah. Despite feeling like the hand of God must have been involved in the prevailing of Jews over rampant antisemitism, we don’t—not even once—read about God in the Book of Esther. In fact, the name “Esther” has the same root as the word 'hidden!' God is hidden throughout the story, and yet, God’s impact is far from absent.
Moshe’s influence is profound in Parshat Tetzaveh; God’s role in Shushan cannot be ignored. Each of them reminds us how true leadership and faith can be about presence, even if it’s not about recognition. Their stories remind us how much we can have a hand in the outcome of a story, even when we ourselves remain behind the scenes.
And maybe that is part of what it means to be a leader. It’s not always about being the one in the spotlight. Sometimes, it’s about laying the groundwork, making sure the structures are in place, empowering others to rise to the moment. Moshe, though absent in name, is present in impact, ensuring the spiritual and communal infrastructure of B’nei Yisrael. Esther, whose very name hints at hiddenness, steps into her role with courage and strategy, orchestrating salvation from within.
As we step into this Shabbat and into Purim, we are invited to think about the ways in which we lead—not for the sake of recognition, but for the sake of impact. Where in our lives are we being called to step forward? And where might we be asked to step back, trusting that even in hiddenness, our influence can help shape the future?
