Reply To: Megillas Esther Interpretation

It says ומרדכי לא יכרע ולא ישתחוה, and Mordechai did not bow or prostrate himself. Why was it right for everyone else but not for him and not only Mordechai does not bow down but shows Haman ym’s the contract that Haman sold himself as a slave to him when in in the desert provided him food. The Chasam Sofer explains that Haman was wearing an idol on his neck, so others were able to bow down to him showing respect for his stature but Mordechai could not because being his slave, people will think that he is not bowing for resoect but to the idol. The contract was shown as a reason for not bowing down.