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ESTHER Esther in Megillat Esther: Enter Esther 2:8-11
"So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many young girls were gathered together to Shushan, the capital…that Esther was brought also to the king's house… And the girl pleased him and she obtained kindness of him, and he speedily gave her her ointments and her appointed rations, and the seven maids chosen to be given to her, out of the king's house: and he advanced her and her maids to the best place in the house of the women. Esther had not made known her people or her descent: for Mordechai had charged her that she should not tell." Esther to Mordechai 4:15-17
"… Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night and day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise, and so I will go in to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish. So Mordechai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. Esther and her position of power 7: 2 -6
"And the king said again to Esther on the second day at the wine drinking, What is thy petition, queen Esther? And it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? And it shall be performed even to half the kingdom. Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found new favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to be annihilated. But if we had been sold merely for merely for bondmen and bondwomen, I would have held my tongue, since the affliction would not have equaled the king's damage …. Then the king Achashverosh answered and said to Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, the adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman …" Some questions to consider:
Consider the language used to describe Esther. Is it active or passive? How does she please the king? What do you think of her leadership? Midrashic Sources Esther Rabbah 6:5
AND HE BROUGHT UP HADASSAH (Esther 2:7), just as the myrtle (hadassa) has sweet smell but a bitter taste, so Esther was sweet to Mordechai but bitter to Hamman.
Naomi Mara Hyman (ed.), Biblical women in the Midrash; A Sourcebook, Jason Aronson Inc.,Northvale, 1997. p157 … Esther means "the hidden one" for she remained hidden fast in her chambers; but she came forth into the world when there was need of her to give light to Israel, "The Midrash on Pslams 22:3," in theThe Midrash on Psalm, trans. William G. Braude, Yale University Press, New Haven CT, 1959. in Naomi Mara Hyman (ed.), Biblical women in the Midrash; A Sourcebook, Jason Aronson Inc.,Northvale, 1997. p157. Some questions to consider:
What are these texts saying about Esther? Do they compliment or contradict the text? Consider the imagery that is used to describe Esther. What qualities do the Rabbis attribute to Esther that allows for her to have such effect and agency? What do you think of Esther's leadership strength? Back to Esther and Vashti Activity
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