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To the best of my knowledge there is no indication in Megillas Esther or in the Talmud that Mordechai conferred with any of the sages at any point during the events leading up to the undoing of Haman.

I would like to know if there is any indication by any commentator that Mordechai did in fact seek counsel, and if not, to know why he was making decisions which would affect the entire Jewish people without consulting with the Sanhedrin, a prophet, or anyone else.

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    not mentioned ≠ didn't happen
    – Yirmeyahu
    Dec 23, 2013 at 20:20
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    @Yirmeyahu depends if it is reasonable to assume it should be mentioned. It doesn't mention that Mordechai washed negel vasser either. But for mega decisions I think it is reasonable to ask why there is no mention, even in chazal that anyone other than Mordechai (and Esther) were involved.
    – please remove my account
    Dec 23, 2013 at 20:24

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According to the Targum Sheni (4:10) Mordechai did in fact send word and request prayers from Haggai, Zecharya, and Malachi regarding the situation.

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He was the only Jewish leader still in Bavel at that time, since the Temple in Jerusalem had already been rebuilt. So to really answer your question, he was not making decisions that affected the entire Jewish people. Just most of them, since only a minority went back to Israel when the temple was rebuilt.

http://koltorah.org/ravj/15-24_Why_is_Megillat_Ester_Written_in_Such_a_Secular_Style.htm http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/757407/Rabbi_Ezra_Frazer/When_Did_the_Purim_Story_Happen-_Chronology-_Aggadah-_and_a_Modern_Orthodox_Educational_Challenge_ http://www.ypt.co.il/eng/tora_show.asp?id=50382 http://www.aishdas.org/avodah/vol11/v11n022.shtml

See Rashi and Ibn Ezra on Ezra regarding the idenity of kings and timing of Ester. and the baal hamor on Rosh Hashana 3b regarding dating tanach in general.

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    Moshe, this IS the teaching of chazal. The fact that you are reading midrashim out of context and ignoring Tanach is not my problem. See here: ypt.co.il/eng/tora_show.asp?id=50382
    – avi
    Dec 24, 2013 at 8:49
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    @avi, your sources do not cite any sources - and they fly against our Mesora - as the other commentators have said. Can you provide us with classic (pre-internet) Jewish sources for your claims, please. We also see in Ezra 2 and Nehemia 6 that Mordechai went up to Eretz Yisrael... before they started building the Bet Hamikdash.
    – Danny Schoemann
    Dec 25, 2013 at 8:46
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    @Danny Those pesukim are about a different person named Mordechai Bilshan. avi is not making this up. This is a very public and well known and well documented idea even if many Jews don't talk about it because they find it awkward just how absurdly strong the evidence for it is.
    – Double AA ♦
    Dec 25, 2013 at 13:41
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    @DoubleAA - I recall from Menachos 65a that they are one and the same person. Also from Megila 16b it seems [almost explicit] that they are one and the same.
    – Danny Schoemann
    Dec 26, 2013 at 8:11
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    @DannySchoemann Again. Do not confuse Midrash with fact. When Chazal tell us that two people are the same people, (when clearly they are not), they do so to teach us a lesson about names and goals and personalities, rewards and punishments. Not to teach a historical reality.
    – avi
    Dec 26, 2013 at 8:12
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It is clear from the Midrashim that Daniel and Baruch Ben Neria were around at the time. An explanation that I heard once was that only Mordechai understood that Hashem was acting with his הנהגה of being hidden as opposed to the others who saw His revealed open miracles. I hope this is a good starting point.

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