Textual and Thematic Support

Several hints in Megillat Esther imply that the sin of Am Yisrael is the abandonment of the mission of returning to Eretz Yisrael and rebuilding the Beit HaMikdash:

• Parallels between Ahashverosh's Palace and the Beit HaMikdash
• The use of the term "Birah" - a term used only for the Beit HaMikdash and Shushan
• 70 days between Haman's letters of destruction and Mordekhai's letters of salvation are reminiscent of the 70 years of exile