Is it possible that our English teacher was right (or correct)? Could it be that punctuation really does make a difference in life and, in fact, could save lives?
Many are familiar with the difference between “Let’s eat Grandma” and “Let’s eat, Grandma.” The first is a grotesque form of cannibalism while the second depicts a lovely outing. So, it seems commas indeed save lives.
What if I told you that the Jewish People were in fact saved by one comma? What if I told you that the whole Purim salvation was based on one comma? And, no, it’s not because I’m in a state of ad d’lo yada.
The Megillah relates that King Achashveirosh allowed Haman to dispatch letters to all his provinces allowing the nations “to destroy, to kill, and to wipe out all the Jews” (Esther 3:13). Further in the Megillah, however, after Haman was killed, Achashveirosh told Mordechai and Esther to “write concerning the Jews whatever is favorable in your eyes…” (ibid. 8:8). Mordechai and Esther were enjoined to draft second letters to send to the provinces, permitting the Jews to defend themselves.
How were Mordechai and Esther able to overwrite the first edict issued by Achashveirosh if the law was that a decree could not be rescinded?
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A yeshivah bachur on his way to his best friend’s wedding realizes that, as usual, he is running late. His best friend’s chupah is about to begin and he still must find parking in that notoriously difficult parking area. He says a silent prayer and pulls onto the block of the hall. To his utter delight, a spot is available right in front of the wedding hall.
He quickly pulls in, grabs his hat, and, while simultaneously making his tie, rushes toward the front entrance. As he is opening the front door, he notices in the corner of his eye that a cop is standing next to his car, issuing him a parking ticket. He turns around and runs back. “Officer, why are you giving me a ticket?” The cop hardly looks up. “Son, are you blind? Didn’t you see the sign right there that says, ‘No Parking’?”
The bachur laughs and shakes his head. “Officer, let me explain. At first, I made the same mistake as you did. When I first pulled up and saw this perfect spot, I thought to myself there’s absolutely no way that I can park right here. But then I noticed the sign here that says, ‘No!’ don’t think you can’t park here. Rather, ‘Parking!’ The sign was actually informing me that I can park here. But you obviously misread the sign too, Officer.”
*****
What a difference a comma can make!
Here are some other examples of potential tragedies that could be averted with the insertion of a comma or two:
Jacob likes cooking his family and his dog.
Throw my wife out the window the keys.
Throw my husband in the oven a slice of pizza.
(Yes, I am aware that the last two sentences are not grammatically correct anyway.)
In a similar vein, the Vilna Gaon explains that Mordechai and Esther did not change the wording of the previous edict, “to destroy, to kill, and to wipe out all the Jews.” Instead, they merely inserted a comma, so that it now read, “to destroy, to kill and to wipe out all, the Jews.” That one little comma completely changed the meaning of the decree. Instead of the Jews being the targeted subjects of the murderous decree, the Jews were now going to be the promulgators of it.
The Shalmei Todah further explains that this is what Achashveirosh meant when he told Mordechai and Esther, “write concerning haYehudim, the Jews, whatever is favorable in your eyes.” They were to write what they found favorable about the word Yehudim – the Jews mentioned in the original decree. They did exactly that, by adding that fateful comma.
It is not coincidental that punctuation plays another vital role during this time of year. In Parshas Zachor, read immediately prior to Purim, we recall what Amaleik did to the Jewish People. We restate our mission to “wipe out the memory of Amaleik from under the heavens” (D’varim 25:19). As prescribed by halachah, due to the question of how to pronounce the Hebrew word for memory – zecher/zeicher – in the Torah, we read the word in two ways. The word is pronounced with both a tzeirei and a segol to cover all possibilities.
It is most apropos that the question of one n’kudah arises regarding the mitzvah of eradicating Amaleik. It is one n’kudah, one dot, that differentiates the pronunciation between these two words. But that is exactly what Amaleik wishes to destroy. One small dot, symbolizing that one inner spark, the pintele Yid, the pristine Jew, within every Jewish soul. That one n’kudah is what Amaleik wishes to extinguish.
*****
Inky Johnson was a top prospect during a successful college career on the path to stardom in the NFL. In his junior year of college, he was projected as a top-30 draft pick. On September 9, 2006, he sustained a life-threatening, career-ending injury that paralyzed his right arm and hand. Since then, Inky has dedicated his life to motivational speaking and encouragement to always pursue greater goals and never allow the setbacks of life to impede.
The following is one of Inky’s messages:
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“A comma means there is a pause. The sentence isn’t over, but there is a need for a space before going on. A period on the other hand, tells you that the sentence is over.
“Many times in life, we place a period where G-d intends for us to place a comma.
“When I had my career-ending injury and was told that I was paralyzed on one side and would never play football again, many people placed a period on my life. They said that I had worked toward that dream from when I was eight years old, and now it was shattered, so there was nothing else for me.
“But I knew that it was a comma and there was more to come. I knew G-d would not have put me through all that if there wasn’t something bigger for me in the future. I didn’t know what it was then, but I knew that the ordeal was a comma and not a period!”
*****
At the time of the Purim story, the Jewish People feared that their situation was going to be a period, bringing about the frightening end of their story. In truth, however, the Purim story became a glorious comma, in the long history of the eternal people. But it was not just another ordinary comma. Purim reminds us that no matter what challenges, frustrations, anguish, and setbacks we suffer, collectively or individually, they are commas, and not periods.
During our present time of pain and challenge for klal Yisrael, Purim reminds us that Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran will be a comma in the history of our people.
Just as back then, there will be no permanent parking for the Jewish People. We will proceed and we will prevail.
“To make known that all those who hope in You will not be ashamed, and all who trust in You will never be humiliated.”
Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW, a rebbe at Heichal HaTorah in Teaneck, New Jersey, is a parenting consultant and maintains a private practice for adolescents and adults. He is also a member of the administration of Camp Dora Golding for over two decades. Rabbi Staum was a community rabbi for ten years, and has been involved in education as a principal, guidance counselor, and teacher in various yeshivos. Rabbi Staum is a noted author and sought-after lecturer, with hundreds of lectures posted on torahanytime.com. He has published articles and books about education, parenting, and Torah living in contemporary society. Rabbi Staum can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. His website containing archives of his writings is www.stamTorah.info.
