Xerxes, the Persian king, who is named Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther, dismissed his wife, the queen . The situation was even more serious according to the tradition that Esther was married to Mordecai (the Babylonian tradition), for then, as a married woman, she committed adultery. Women were expected to follow the decisions of their husbands and not complain. Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. Her unique charm was irresistible, and thus, King Ahasuerus chose her as his new queen. Queen Esther and Bella Abzug: Costumes, Leadership, and Identity, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. Unraveling the Mystery: What is the Meaning of Esther? The Rabbis also offer various proofs that the Book of Esther was written with the spirit of divine inspiration. In the Erez Israel tradition, she miscarried the fetus she bore in her womb (the offspring of Ahasuerus) (Esth. Is the story of Esther true? The Bible isnt just a religious text, but a profound historical document. In it, Ahasuerus, the king of the Achaemenid Empire, seeks a new wife after his queen, Vashti, is deposed for disobeying him. The Rabbis accordingly relate her to the MatriarchRachel, the mother of the tribe of Benjamin. These godly women did not hold formal political power, yet their influence was pivotal in shaping historical and spiritual narratives. The plot thickens when Haman, a high-ranking official and adversary of Mordecai, devises a plan to annihilate all Jews in the Persian kingdom. He will guide us as we make decisions. Rabbah6:4). 2:7). While Cambyses II is not directly named in the Bible, his reign occurred between the rule of Cyrus and Darius, during the period of the Jews return to Jerusalem. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. King Ahasuerus was known for his grandeur, and his decision to find a new queen was no exception. Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. By Vashti choosing to make a firm choice of not standing in front of the guests, her fate had been decided. Hadassah is close to the Babylonian word for bride, and bride was another title given to Ishtar in Babylonian myth. Under Mordecais advice, Esther kept her Jewish identity a secret from the king, which later played a crucial role in saving her people. He even offers to give her half of his kingdom. The Rabbis include Esther among the seven most beautiful women in the world (BT Megillah 15a). There were possibly loud voices and singing. 20). The Babylonian tradition (according to which she was Mordecais wife) understands this apprehension as her awareness that she would thereby lose her status as one compelled [a married woman living with another man against her will] and become a woman who does so freely. On the seventh day of the banquet given by the king, he commanded his eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti to the gathering of men. Her passions are helping in the community and church. Rabbah26:8;Lam. Some are easy. Esther and King Ahasuerus had a complex relationship. Her bravery earns her a spot among the seven women prophets, and she is remembered as the one responsible for the deliverance of Israel. Ahasuerus summoned the most beautiful girls of the kingdom to him, so that he could choose a new wife. But what made him marry Esther, a Jewish woman? Rabbah 6:5; BT . The Rabbis also relate to Esthers sexuality: if Ahasuerus wanted to find in her the taste of a virgin, he found it; if the taste of a non-virgin, he found it(BTMegillah13a;Esth. The Book of Esther is also believed to be the scriptural source for the Jewish festival known as Purim. The Rabbis devote extensive attention to Esthers observance of the laws of niddah. Ahasuerus preferred her to all of the other girls brought before him, and named her as his new wife, and his queen. As Asimov notes, Mordecai is close to Marduk, the name of the chief Babylonian god who replaced the earlier Elamite god, Hamman. Rachel was silent when she saw that Jacob married her sister instead of herself. Esthers rise to queenship and her role in the Jews deliverance are seen as part of Gods divine plan. In various sources the Rabbis relate to the question of the Book of Esthers acceptance as Scripture and to the establishment of the holiday ofPurim. According to one, Hadassah, which appears first in the verse, was Esthers real name, and the reason why she was called Esther requires clarification. There is no description of the items used at the womens banquet. Those in authority shouldn't only talk the talk; they have the high responsibility and honor of walking the walk. Unlike the other women, who wanted to be chosen, Esther tried to evade the king, but she was the one picked to be queen. Jim Padgett/WikiCommons. Esther turns in prayer to God and compares the situation of the Jews of Persia to that of the Jews in Egypt: in Egypt the Jews cried out and were answered; and in Persia, they fasted, prayed and cried out over their tribulation and the decree that was harsher than that during the time of the Egyptian servitude. Esther is also compared to a wolf, to the moon (see below: Esther as the Deliverer of Israel) and to a stove on which everyone places his pots (Midrash Tehilim, onPs. In contrast, the BT also cites a tradition that Esther had a greenish [sallow] complexion, and therefore was called Hadassah; according to this tradition, Ahasuerus was drawn to her because she was endowed with great charm (BTMegillahloc. According to the view that Esther was Hadassahs second name, the Rabbis explain that she was given this name because she concealed (histirah) her origins. This, then, is the meaning of(Esth. Ahasuerus first tried to turn his face so that he would not look upon Esther, but the ministering angels forcibly turned his head, until he cried out. Yet, Esther, using her wisdom and courage, navigated this patriarchal system and changed the course of her peoples history. During the kings banquet, he summoned his queen wanting to show off her beauty to his guests, but she refused. We never have to make decisions alone. She utilized her influence over her husband, King Ahasuerus, to foil Hamans plot. The Book of Esther, although set in the Old Testament and primarily significant within the Jewish tradition, carries broad spiritual implications that resonate with Christian believers, reinforcing themes of divine providence, faith, courage, and deliverance. Each of these women shows the profound impact that faith and wisdom can have in influencing important decisions, especially in the leadership realm. Book of Esther "Ahasuerus" is given as the name of a king, the husband of Esther, in the Book of Esther.He is said to have "ruled over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Nubia" that is, over the Achaemenid Empire. Her prophecy and guidance led to a decisive victory for the Israelites (Judges 4).AbigailKing DavidAbigail prevented David from shedding unnecessary blood and reminded him of Gods will, which led David to reconsider his plans to kill Nabal and his household (1 Samuel 25).Mary, Mother of JesusHer influence was primarily on her son, Jesus ChristMarys faith and dedication significantly shaped Jesus life and ministry. This prayer also mentioned her situation, which contrasted with that of Sarah andRebekah: they were taken for a single night to the court of a foreign king and miracles were performed for them. According to various traditions, at this time she recitedPsalm 22(For the leader; onayelet ha-shahar): in the Rabbinic exegesisayelet ha-shaharis Esther, and the content of the psalm is applied to her. In post-Temple times, a small piece of dough set aside and burnt. There is no mention of God in the book of Esther. 49). Mordecai and Esther respond to this that the story in the Book of Esther was already recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Media and Persia(Esth. You, O Father of orphans, stand at the right hand of this orphan, who trusts in Your compassion. Rabbah5:3). 15 Remarkable Women Bible Characters: Their Stories and Impact | Bible | Women. Esther, who according to the midrash was one of the four most beautiful women in the world, was a married woman, the wife of Mordechai, but she nonetheless had sexual relations with another man,. Scripture tells us that all the young virgins were brought to the king so he could choose a replacement. We can find comfort in knowing that God is with us. TheA type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules).Midrash adds that Esthers father died during her mothers pregnancy, and the latter died during childbirth (Esth. Rabbah6:9). Banish the Unofficial Luggage of Foster Care. Vashti and Esther were two women who had important roles in history that determined the outcome for many. Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. During one of his great feasts, he had summoned her to appear before his guests so he could show off her beauty; she refused. Three ministering angels were appointed to aid her at that moment: one made her head erect, one endowed her with charm, and one stretched out the scepter(BTMegillah15b). The Book of Esther was written fairly late in the chronology of the Old Testament scriptures, as late as 130 BC according to some scholars. What Does the Bible Say about Visiting Graves? Once the edict was declared, they started taking the young virgins. The story of Esther begins with a king's banquet. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Despite her hiding her identity, Esther still maintained contact with Mordecai. Due to Gods deliverance, Haman was executed, Mordecai was honored, and the Jews were empowered to defend themselves. In common parlance, the braided loaves blessed and eaten on the Sabbath and Festivals.hallah from dough,niddah, and the kindling of the Sabbath candle, even in the palace of Ahasuerus (Midrash Tehilim, onPs. After she came to the fourth department, Ahasueruss ire was aroused and he remembered Vashti, who did not come into him despite his repeated requests, while Esther came into him without permission, like a harlot. She would no longer be queen. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Although we dont know the exact amount of time between the banishment of Vashti and the choosing of the next queen, we can wonder about the emotions of everyone involved. The Bible depicts Esther as an orphan who was raised in the house of her uncle Mordecai(Esth. At dinner with the king, Haman speaks. According to one tradition, he could not find a wet nurse and he himself miraculously had milk and nursed her(Gen. Rabbah30:8). Today, Esthers story is commemorated during the Jewish festival of Purim, celebrating the deliverance of the Jewish people from Hamans plot. Have an update or correction? Esther (or Hadassah) was the daughter of Abihail of the tribe of Benjamin. Esther also spoke of her merit for observing the womens commandments of the taking ofDuring the Temple period, the dough set aside to be given to the priests. Esther is chosen to fulfill this role due to her beauty. What is the real story of Purim? (Viewed on July 5, 2023)
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Xerxes, the Persian king, who is named Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther, dismissed his wife, the queen . The situation was even more serious according to the tradition that Esther was married to Mordecai (the Babylonian tradition), for then, as a married woman, she committed adultery. Women were expected to follow the decisions of their husbands and not complain. Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. Her unique charm was irresistible, and thus, King Ahasuerus chose her as his new queen. Queen Esther and Bella Abzug: Costumes, Leadership, and Identity, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. Unraveling the Mystery: What is the Meaning of Esther? The Rabbis also offer various proofs that the Book of Esther was written with the spirit of divine inspiration. In the Erez Israel tradition, she miscarried the fetus she bore in her womb (the offspring of Ahasuerus) (Esth. Is the story of Esther true? The Bible isnt just a religious text, but a profound historical document. In it, Ahasuerus, the king of the Achaemenid Empire, seeks a new wife after his queen, Vashti, is deposed for disobeying him. The Rabbis accordingly relate her to the MatriarchRachel, the mother of the tribe of Benjamin. These godly women did not hold formal political power, yet their influence was pivotal in shaping historical and spiritual narratives. The plot thickens when Haman, a high-ranking official and adversary of Mordecai, devises a plan to annihilate all Jews in the Persian kingdom. He will guide us as we make decisions. Rabbah6:4). 2:7). While Cambyses II is not directly named in the Bible, his reign occurred between the rule of Cyrus and Darius, during the period of the Jews return to Jerusalem. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. King Ahasuerus was known for his grandeur, and his decision to find a new queen was no exception. Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. By Vashti choosing to make a firm choice of not standing in front of the guests, her fate had been decided. Hadassah is close to the Babylonian word for bride, and bride was another title given to Ishtar in Babylonian myth. Under Mordecais advice, Esther kept her Jewish identity a secret from the king, which later played a crucial role in saving her people. He even offers to give her half of his kingdom. The Rabbis include Esther among the seven most beautiful women in the world (BT Megillah 15a). There were possibly loud voices and singing. 20). The Babylonian tradition (according to which she was Mordecais wife) understands this apprehension as her awareness that she would thereby lose her status as one compelled [a married woman living with another man against her will] and become a woman who does so freely. On the seventh day of the banquet given by the king, he commanded his eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti to the gathering of men. Her passions are helping in the community and church. Rabbah26:8;Lam. Some are easy. Esther and King Ahasuerus had a complex relationship. Her bravery earns her a spot among the seven women prophets, and she is remembered as the one responsible for the deliverance of Israel. Ahasuerus summoned the most beautiful girls of the kingdom to him, so that he could choose a new wife. But what made him marry Esther, a Jewish woman? Rabbah 6:5; BT . The Rabbis also relate to Esthers sexuality: if Ahasuerus wanted to find in her the taste of a virgin, he found it; if the taste of a non-virgin, he found it(BTMegillah13a;Esth. The Book of Esther is also believed to be the scriptural source for the Jewish festival known as Purim. The Rabbis devote extensive attention to Esthers observance of the laws of niddah. Ahasuerus preferred her to all of the other girls brought before him, and named her as his new wife, and his queen. As Asimov notes, Mordecai is close to Marduk, the name of the chief Babylonian god who replaced the earlier Elamite god, Hamman. Rachel was silent when she saw that Jacob married her sister instead of herself. Esthers rise to queenship and her role in the Jews deliverance are seen as part of Gods divine plan. In various sources the Rabbis relate to the question of the Book of Esthers acceptance as Scripture and to the establishment of the holiday ofPurim. According to one, Hadassah, which appears first in the verse, was Esthers real name, and the reason why she was called Esther requires clarification. There is no description of the items used at the womens banquet. Those in authority shouldn't only talk the talk; they have the high responsibility and honor of walking the walk. Unlike the other women, who wanted to be chosen, Esther tried to evade the king, but she was the one picked to be queen. Jim Padgett/WikiCommons. Esther turns in prayer to God and compares the situation of the Jews of Persia to that of the Jews in Egypt: in Egypt the Jews cried out and were answered; and in Persia, they fasted, prayed and cried out over their tribulation and the decree that was harsher than that during the time of the Egyptian servitude. Esther is also compared to a wolf, to the moon (see below: Esther as the Deliverer of Israel) and to a stove on which everyone places his pots (Midrash Tehilim, onPs. In contrast, the BT also cites a tradition that Esther had a greenish [sallow] complexion, and therefore was called Hadassah; according to this tradition, Ahasuerus was drawn to her because she was endowed with great charm (BTMegillahloc. According to the view that Esther was Hadassahs second name, the Rabbis explain that she was given this name because she concealed (histirah) her origins. This, then, is the meaning of(Esth. Ahasuerus first tried to turn his face so that he would not look upon Esther, but the ministering angels forcibly turned his head, until he cried out. Yet, Esther, using her wisdom and courage, navigated this patriarchal system and changed the course of her peoples history. During the kings banquet, he summoned his queen wanting to show off her beauty to his guests, but she refused. We never have to make decisions alone. She utilized her influence over her husband, King Ahasuerus, to foil Hamans plot. The Book of Esther, although set in the Old Testament and primarily significant within the Jewish tradition, carries broad spiritual implications that resonate with Christian believers, reinforcing themes of divine providence, faith, courage, and deliverance. Each of these women shows the profound impact that faith and wisdom can have in influencing important decisions, especially in the leadership realm. Book of Esther "Ahasuerus" is given as the name of a king, the husband of Esther, in the Book of Esther.He is said to have "ruled over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Nubia" that is, over the Achaemenid Empire. Her prophecy and guidance led to a decisive victory for the Israelites (Judges 4).AbigailKing DavidAbigail prevented David from shedding unnecessary blood and reminded him of Gods will, which led David to reconsider his plans to kill Nabal and his household (1 Samuel 25).Mary, Mother of JesusHer influence was primarily on her son, Jesus ChristMarys faith and dedication significantly shaped Jesus life and ministry. This prayer also mentioned her situation, which contrasted with that of Sarah andRebekah: they were taken for a single night to the court of a foreign king and miracles were performed for them. According to various traditions, at this time she recitedPsalm 22(For the leader; onayelet ha-shahar): in the Rabbinic exegesisayelet ha-shaharis Esther, and the content of the psalm is applied to her. In post-Temple times, a small piece of dough set aside and burnt. There is no mention of God in the book of Esther. 49). Mordecai and Esther respond to this that the story in the Book of Esther was already recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Media and Persia(Esth. You, O Father of orphans, stand at the right hand of this orphan, who trusts in Your compassion. Rabbah5:3). 15 Remarkable Women Bible Characters: Their Stories and Impact | Bible | Women. Esther, who according to the midrash was one of the four most beautiful women in the world, was a married woman, the wife of Mordechai, but she nonetheless had sexual relations with another man,. Scripture tells us that all the young virgins were brought to the king so he could choose a replacement. We can find comfort in knowing that God is with us. TheA type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules).Midrash adds that Esthers father died during her mothers pregnancy, and the latter died during childbirth (Esth. Rabbah6:9). Banish the Unofficial Luggage of Foster Care. Vashti and Esther were two women who had important roles in history that determined the outcome for many. Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. During one of his great feasts, he had summoned her to appear before his guests so he could show off her beauty; she refused. Three ministering angels were appointed to aid her at that moment: one made her head erect, one endowed her with charm, and one stretched out the scepter(BTMegillah15b). The Book of Esther was written fairly late in the chronology of the Old Testament scriptures, as late as 130 BC according to some scholars. What Does the Bible Say about Visiting Graves? Once the edict was declared, they started taking the young virgins. The story of Esther begins with a king's banquet. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Despite her hiding her identity, Esther still maintained contact with Mordecai. Due to Gods deliverance, Haman was executed, Mordecai was honored, and the Jews were empowered to defend themselves. In common parlance, the braided loaves blessed and eaten on the Sabbath and Festivals.hallah from dough,niddah, and the kindling of the Sabbath candle, even in the palace of Ahasuerus (Midrash Tehilim, onPs. After she came to the fourth department, Ahasueruss ire was aroused and he remembered Vashti, who did not come into him despite his repeated requests, while Esther came into him without permission, like a harlot. She would no longer be queen. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Although we dont know the exact amount of time between the banishment of Vashti and the choosing of the next queen, we can wonder about the emotions of everyone involved. The Bible depicts Esther as an orphan who was raised in the house of her uncle Mordecai(Esth. At dinner with the king, Haman speaks. According to one tradition, he could not find a wet nurse and he himself miraculously had milk and nursed her(Gen. Rabbah30:8). Today, Esthers story is commemorated during the Jewish festival of Purim, celebrating the deliverance of the Jewish people from Hamans plot. Have an update or correction? Esther (or Hadassah) was the daughter of Abihail of the tribe of Benjamin. Esther also spoke of her merit for observing the womens commandments of the taking ofDuring the Temple period, the dough set aside to be given to the priests. Esther is chosen to fulfill this role due to her beauty. What is the real story of Purim? (Viewed on July 5, 2023)
