The threat was real, and the first person to react to the decree was Mordechai. Mordechai was a great sage and also a member of the king`s parliament. He dressed in sackcloth as a symbol of mourning. When Queen Esther heard of Mordechai`s unusual behavior, she inquired and found out about Haman`s decree.
    Mordechai sent a message to Esther that she go to Achashvairosh to intercede on behalf of the Jews. Mordechai realized at the time that Esther was forcefully taken as queen, that there was a Divine plan why she was chosen as queen.
    At first, Esther was reluctant to go because she had not been called to the king for a month`s time, and appearing uninvited meant certain death.
    Mordechai appealed to Esther and she agreed. She asked that the Jews fast for three days on her behalf while she would do the same.
    The day that Haman sent out the horrible decree was the 13th day of Nissan, two days before Pesach. Mordechai ordered the Jews to fast and repent for the next three days, the 14th, 15th and 16th of Nissan. That year, the Jews fasted on Pesach. Mordechai saw it fitting that they fast on the holiday, for if they would not take care of the matter immediately, there would be no more Jews left to celebrate Pesach the next year.
    It is fascinating that from the time that Haman was on top of the world when his plan was signed sealed and delivered to exterminate the Jews until he was hung on the same pole that he had prepared for Mordechai`s execution, only four days had passed.
    How did it happen so quickly? It was due to the power of the Jews` sincere repentance and commitment to G~d. G~d pulled the strings causing Achashvairosh to accept Esther`s appearance, where Esther invited Haman to a private party with herself and the king. This invitation evoked the king`s jealousy and even more intensely, when Esther invited Haman to a second private party.
    At the second party, Esther finally informed the king that she was a Jew and that they were under the threat of annihilation. When the king asked her who was behind this decree, she pointed to Haman. The king immediately ordered Haman to the gallows.
    Although Haman was out of the picture, the decree was still in place and Achashvairosh was not willing to rescind his decree. A little over two months later, when the original messengers returned to the capital of Shushan, an addendum to the original decree was sent out and delivered by the same messengers to show it was authentic. This decree stated that the Jews were permitted to defend themselves on the 13th of Adar.
     The Jews defended themselves on the 13th of Adar and celebrated their victory on the 14th of Adar, the day we celebrate the Holiday of Purim.

It's There, We Just Have To Look For It

The Megilla of Esther is the only book of our Scriptures in which there is no outright mention of G-d's name. One of the reasons offered for this omission is that throughout the events of Purim, G-d's Presence was not openly visible. Only when looking back at the story is the Divine intervention clear and the Hand of G-d is ever present. The events of Purim testify that G-d lovingly cares and watches over us, and spares us from destruction - in a rather seemingly hidden and veiled manner. It is up to each and every one of us to seek out and recognize the Divine Hand in all happenings - It's always there!