The gemara in Megila (11a) says that the name Achashveirosh is derived from the words Achiv Shel Rosh, the brother of the head. The head refers to Nevuchadnetzar to whom Achashveirosh had many similarities. One of them says the gemara is that Nevuchadnetzar destroyed the bais HaMikdash and Achashveirosh wanted to destroy it. The gemara explains that he stopped the building of the second Bais HaMikdash which already commenced under Zerubavel.
Why does it say that he wanted to destroy but did not? Rashi says that Zerubavel had already laid the foundation which Achashveirosh did not touch, although he wanted to. What stopped him?
Rav Yehonoson Eibshitz explains that when Rebbi Yochanan ben Zakkai came before Vespasian he called him “King”. Vespasian was very angry and wanted to kill him for saying something not true. Rebbi Yochanan ben Zakkai said that he will become King because the pasuk says “V’HaLevanon B’Adir Yipol”, only a King can destroy the Bais HaMikdash.
Regarding Achashveirosh the gemara (11a) says that he was not worthy to be King but he took control of the country and crowned himself king. Therefore Achashveirosh could not lay a finger on the Bais HaMikdash and instead just dreamed about it.
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