Monday, March 31, 2014
I honestly cannot decide which is weirder!
I honestly have to say that this is by far the most interesting and unusual Megillah I have ever read. There are so many different aspects to the Megillah that just contribute to making it so weird. This week I noticed two things that I found were so unbelievably strange, it kind of seems like they were made up! I had a little disagreement with myself. I honestly could not pick which one was weirder.
Okay, in the Megillah we learned that Achashverosh could not sleep so he started to read his book of memories. The reason Achashverosh could not sleep was because he had a fear that his wife, Esther, and one of his highest official's, Haman, were plotting an evil plan against him. He was looking through his book of memories to see if there was anyone he could trust to find out details about the plan. Achashverosh then remembered Mordechai, an honest man who saved his life in the past who was never rewarded. As all of this was going on in the middle of the night, Haman comes walking up to his palace. Haman came to ask Achashverosh if he could kill Mordechai just as Achashverosh was thinking of praising and honoring him. Wait, what? Was I the only one confused about this? Haman just randomly came to Achashverosh's palace in the middle of the night!! And he came to destroy the person that Achashverosh was just thinking about saving?!? I found this really weird but some might even think it gets weirder.
We then discussed that Esther said that she wanted to kill Haman because he made a dcree to kill her people. Achashverosh left the room for a second then when he came back Haman was on top of Esther. ( We do not know why, which is kind of weird also, but that is besides the point.) Achashverosh was enraged that Haman was on top of Esther and did not know what to do with himself. We then hear about this man, Charvona, who just chimes in and says that Haman built a 50 ft gallows to hang Mordechai. Achashverosh then hung Haman on the gallows he built. I had the same response when I read this as I did to when I read the thing above. My response was, " wait, what?" I mean, honestly, I do not think anyone finds it normal and usual that this random man Charvona just happened to be there and reminded Achashverosh of the gallows Haman had previously built.
I cannot pick which one is weirder, but I am curious to hear what you think. Which one do y'all think was weirder?
The king
Like before Achoshvarosh isn't really as powerful as you think. Although this was said he begins to show that he does have a lot of power. You have to be called down to see him or asked by him if you want to see him. Esther was in an emergency when she needed his help. She was in great need and started to invite him to many parties. Later on she went to his throne. This was unexcpected and against the law, but the king new it had to be important. Later Esther told him about the Jews and he saved them. The king later figured out that Haman was in charge of this plan. The king actually started to use his power in a good way instead of just fame and popularity.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
The Purpose of Prayer
At this week's Latte and Learning, Mrs. Perl led a discussion about the purpose of remote prayer. She started by telling us about how she was running on the treadmill while watching The West Wing season 4, where there was a right-wing religious group that wanted to do a double-blind study on the effectiveness of remote prayer on patients who don't know they're being prayed for. On the show, the findings were that the people who didn't know they were being prayed for tended to get better more often than those who weren't being prayed for. We were then forced to think about the idea on a more personal level: we do a lot of remote prayer in Judaism, right? Isn't this "remote prayer" thing the same as saying Tehillim for someone who's sick? This segued into a discussion about the purpose of prayer.
In the group, there were two distinct opinions: either our prayers literally have the power to change G-d's verdict about the fate of a person or they don't. Proponents of the former position brought Torah sources about when the matriarchs prayed for children. In this sense, they changed what G-d had decreed for them. They also mentioned King Chizkiyahu, who prayed to G-d once and had 15 years added to his life as a result. Proponents of the latter position said that prayer is more of an opportunity to better yourself and improve your relationship with G-d rather than a chance to change your or anyone else's fate. They (and when I say "they", I mean "I") brought up the fact that prayers and tehillim don't always change a person's fate; in many cases, the person being davened for ultimately passes away. However, they can still leave behind a huge amount of inspiration and strength for the people that davened for their recovery. Although we didn't actually reach a consensus at the end of the session, I find that each different approach can be applied at a different time and for different reasons.
So how on Earth does this apply to Megillat Esther? Let's go back to Perek 4, when Mordechai is reasoning with Esther about whether or not she should risk her life and go before the king. What did he tell her? He told her that G-d would bring the salvation of the Jewish people through someone else if she didn't take the initiative. From here, it would seem that G-d decreed that the Jewish people would be saved, so their fasting would not actually change G-d's decree. Fast forward to the part where the Jews fast for three days. What were they fasting for and why did Esther ask them to fast? According to the Pesukim, the Jews were fasting in Esther's merit so that when she went before the king, he would raise his scepter to her and allow her to violate Da'at Hamelech. Taken literally, the Jews were trying to change or influence the decree that G-d had already made about Esther's fate.
In the group, there were two distinct opinions: either our prayers literally have the power to change G-d's verdict about the fate of a person or they don't. Proponents of the former position brought Torah sources about when the matriarchs prayed for children. In this sense, they changed what G-d had decreed for them. They also mentioned King Chizkiyahu, who prayed to G-d once and had 15 years added to his life as a result. Proponents of the latter position said that prayer is more of an opportunity to better yourself and improve your relationship with G-d rather than a chance to change your or anyone else's fate. They (and when I say "they", I mean "I") brought up the fact that prayers and tehillim don't always change a person's fate; in many cases, the person being davened for ultimately passes away. However, they can still leave behind a huge amount of inspiration and strength for the people that davened for their recovery. Although we didn't actually reach a consensus at the end of the session, I find that each different approach can be applied at a different time and for different reasons.
So how on Earth does this apply to Megillat Esther? Let's go back to Perek 4, when Mordechai is reasoning with Esther about whether or not she should risk her life and go before the king. What did he tell her? He told her that G-d would bring the salvation of the Jewish people through someone else if she didn't take the initiative. From here, it would seem that G-d decreed that the Jewish people would be saved, so their fasting would not actually change G-d's decree. Fast forward to the part where the Jews fast for three days. What were they fasting for and why did Esther ask them to fast? According to the Pesukim, the Jews were fasting in Esther's merit so that when she went before the king, he would raise his scepter to her and allow her to violate Da'at Hamelech. Taken literally, the Jews were trying to change or influence the decree that G-d had already made about Esther's fate.
I'd like to suggest that there was more to this fast. In the Latte and Learning discussion, I suggested that the purpose of prayer is introspection and strengthening one's relationship with G-d and, in the case of remote prayer, using one person's illness as fuel for your own prayer and connection to G-d. More than anything, I think that's what was happening here. Although we haven't discussed Esther's religious development too much in class, I feel like this was her purpose in getting the Jews to pray. On the one hand, she was scared for her life because she would have to violate the king's precious laws to do what Mordechai wanted her to. On the other hand, the Jewish people desperately needed to reconnect with G-d and introspect. While asking for their remote prayers, she got them to reach out to G-d and start rebuilding the connection that was lost when the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed. Isn't that dandy?
Hidden Persian Identity
Imagine if you moved to a new land. Everything is so foreign to you, you might even acquire a new name. When the Jews were sent into Galut and headed Perisa, most of them got new, Persian names. Two of the main characters of the Purim story and Megillat Esther, Esther and Mordechai, were two of the millions of people who had their names changed. But, who would have thought that two of the most Jewish names that we know, were actually of Persian origin.
Esther, whose name in Hebrew was really Hadassah, got her name changed when she arrived in Israel. Her Persian name, Esther came from the Persian word for star, setareh because Esther was described to be as beautiful as the morning star. In the Talmud, Esther is compared to the morning star. Though we usually interpret Esther's name as a hidden identity because her name Esther comes of Hester, meaning hidden, it was really a Persian names that she was given in her time in Galut.
If you ask anyone, Mordechai is known to be a pretty Jewish name. Who would have known that his name actually came from the Persian god's name Marduk. The name Marduk itself mains servant or follower. If you think about, Mordechai did become second in command to the king by the end of the Megillah, technically making him Achashverosh's servant and follower.
Who would have ever guessed that some of our iconic, historical, Jewish figures were hidden with Persian identities. Also, people name their children Esther and Mordechai all the time. Should Jewish people be naming their children these names that have Persian meaning behind them?
Esther, whose name in Hebrew was really Hadassah, got her name changed when she arrived in Israel. Her Persian name, Esther came from the Persian word for star, setareh because Esther was described to be as beautiful as the morning star. In the Talmud, Esther is compared to the morning star. Though we usually interpret Esther's name as a hidden identity because her name Esther comes of Hester, meaning hidden, it was really a Persian names that she was given in her time in Galut.
If you ask anyone, Mordechai is known to be a pretty Jewish name. Who would have known that his name actually came from the Persian god's name Marduk. The name Marduk itself mains servant or follower. If you think about, Mordechai did become second in command to the king by the end of the Megillah, technically making him Achashverosh's servant and follower.
Who would have ever guessed that some of our iconic, historical, Jewish figures were hidden with Persian identities. Also, people name their children Esther and Mordechai all the time. Should Jewish people be naming their children these names that have Persian meaning behind them?
Esther: Active Because of the Situation?
And so the plot thickens. In this week's Megillot class, we discussed Perakim 5-7, otherwise known as "Haman's downfall."
Perek Hey begins with Esther waiting in the courtyard outside of the king's inner chamber where the king was sitting. The king saw Esther and she immediately found favor in his eyes, so he extended his scepter to her, aware of the fact that Esther must truly desire something if she would risk her life like that. And so it goes. Achashverosh asks Esther what she requests and offers her up to half of his kingdom. "If it's good for the king," she responds, "will the king and Haman come to my party today?"Achashverosh accepts, but is wary, due to Esther's choice of words. Why is Haman being invited, he asks himself? Anyway, without a second to lose, Haman is summoned to the party, where Achashverosh asks Esther yet again what she desires. Esther replies and invites the king and Haman to yet another party. Now Achashverosh is on the verge of a breakdown. Maybe they're plotting against me, he wonders.
Meanwhile, Haman was ecstatic. He was getting the best of both worlds. However, his excitement is short-lived, because when he sees Mordechai sitting by the king's gate, he was filled with rage and had to restrain himself from lashing out. When he arrives home, he tells Zeresh and his friends all of his good fortune. But none of it means anything to him after seeing Mordechai. So, being the supportive wife that she was, Zeresh suggests the gallows as a way of getting rid of Mordecahi once and for all. The rationale for the gallows would be that Mordechai disobeyed "dat hamelech," something that could simply not be allowed. Haman should pitch the idea to the king the following day, and chances are, the king would agree. After all, Haman was his right-hand man.
In Perek Vav, the king just could not sleep. He was anxious and paranoid, believing that Esther and Haman were plotting against him. Suddenly, he had an "Eurkea!" moment of insight and brings out his "Sefer Zichronot" to search for a super-special spy (I really wanted to use alliteration) and happened to stumble across the story of Bigtan and Teresh. Realizing he never honored Mordechai for saving his life, the king comes up with the master plan of doing so in the very near future. And guess who comes to join the party? Haman. Lo and behold, he conveniently stands in the king's courtyard, unable to wait to suggest his idea of the gallows. Now the king is REALLY paranoid. He summons Haman inside, and asks him to give the king insight into what he should do to a man he wants to honor. Believing it is him, Haman paints the picture of transforming this man into a "king," dressed in the king's garments, riding his horse, and wearing his crown, making it very obvious that Haman wants him to be king. But today must really not be Haman's day, as he walks out of the palace with orders to do this to Mordechai.
After Haman's no good, very bad day, he returns in a gloomy mood to his house. To make matters worse, Zeresh begins to see that Haman's demise is rapidly approaching. If Mordechai is Jewish and Haman has started to fall before him, he will never prevail. Dun, dun, dun.
In Perek Zayin, Haman is finally vanquished. Haman and Achashverosh attend Esther's party. After a while, Esther makes her plea to the king, to save her people and prevent the genocide decreed upon them. And who is the evil man behind this? You guessed it right. Haman. Achashverosh is furious and goes for a walk in the garden, while Haman begins to beg for his life before the queen. When the king returns, he is in a state of complete wrath, as Haman is on top of Esther. Charvonah chimes in and mentions the gallows. Haman is hanged, and the king's anger abated. Sounds like a happily ever after. Well, not really. The Jews are still in peril.
One of the most interesting ideas in the Megillah is the character development Esther goes through. She begins as a passive, inactive queen, but later transforms into something greater, a leader. Throughout the story, she realizes the necessity of the situation and acts. But, do you think that this was some sort of variation on the flight-or-fight response, where she knew that her life depended on it and therefore mobilized herself to take action? It did, after all, take convincing from Mordechai to make it more personal. Do you think that Esther would have become so active if she didn't recognize that her life was on the line?
Perek Hey begins with Esther waiting in the courtyard outside of the king's inner chamber where the king was sitting. The king saw Esther and she immediately found favor in his eyes, so he extended his scepter to her, aware of the fact that Esther must truly desire something if she would risk her life like that. And so it goes. Achashverosh asks Esther what she requests and offers her up to half of his kingdom. "If it's good for the king," she responds, "will the king and Haman come to my party today?"Achashverosh accepts, but is wary, due to Esther's choice of words. Why is Haman being invited, he asks himself? Anyway, without a second to lose, Haman is summoned to the party, where Achashverosh asks Esther yet again what she desires. Esther replies and invites the king and Haman to yet another party. Now Achashverosh is on the verge of a breakdown. Maybe they're plotting against me, he wonders.
Meanwhile, Haman was ecstatic. He was getting the best of both worlds. However, his excitement is short-lived, because when he sees Mordechai sitting by the king's gate, he was filled with rage and had to restrain himself from lashing out. When he arrives home, he tells Zeresh and his friends all of his good fortune. But none of it means anything to him after seeing Mordechai. So, being the supportive wife that she was, Zeresh suggests the gallows as a way of getting rid of Mordecahi once and for all. The rationale for the gallows would be that Mordechai disobeyed "dat hamelech," something that could simply not be allowed. Haman should pitch the idea to the king the following day, and chances are, the king would agree. After all, Haman was his right-hand man.
In Perek Vav, the king just could not sleep. He was anxious and paranoid, believing that Esther and Haman were plotting against him. Suddenly, he had an "Eurkea!" moment of insight and brings out his "Sefer Zichronot" to search for a super-special spy (I really wanted to use alliteration) and happened to stumble across the story of Bigtan and Teresh. Realizing he never honored Mordechai for saving his life, the king comes up with the master plan of doing so in the very near future. And guess who comes to join the party? Haman. Lo and behold, he conveniently stands in the king's courtyard, unable to wait to suggest his idea of the gallows. Now the king is REALLY paranoid. He summons Haman inside, and asks him to give the king insight into what he should do to a man he wants to honor. Believing it is him, Haman paints the picture of transforming this man into a "king," dressed in the king's garments, riding his horse, and wearing his crown, making it very obvious that Haman wants him to be king. But today must really not be Haman's day, as he walks out of the palace with orders to do this to Mordechai.
After Haman's no good, very bad day, he returns in a gloomy mood to his house. To make matters worse, Zeresh begins to see that Haman's demise is rapidly approaching. If Mordechai is Jewish and Haman has started to fall before him, he will never prevail. Dun, dun, dun.
In Perek Zayin, Haman is finally vanquished. Haman and Achashverosh attend Esther's party. After a while, Esther makes her plea to the king, to save her people and prevent the genocide decreed upon them. And who is the evil man behind this? You guessed it right. Haman. Achashverosh is furious and goes for a walk in the garden, while Haman begins to beg for his life before the queen. When the king returns, he is in a state of complete wrath, as Haman is on top of Esther. Charvonah chimes in and mentions the gallows. Haman is hanged, and the king's anger abated. Sounds like a happily ever after. Well, not really. The Jews are still in peril.
One of the most interesting ideas in the Megillah is the character development Esther goes through. She begins as a passive, inactive queen, but later transforms into something greater, a leader. Throughout the story, she realizes the necessity of the situation and acts. But, do you think that this was some sort of variation on the flight-or-fight response, where she knew that her life depended on it and therefore mobilized herself to take action? It did, after all, take convincing from Mordechai to make it more personal. Do you think that Esther would have become so active if she didn't recognize that her life was on the line?
Fighting to the Death
This week in Megillot we discussed the rapid downfall of Haman. Perakim ה-ז discuss the details that eventually lead to Haman's demise. Perek ו begins with Achashverosh finding difficulty in falling asleep. He was anxious of Esther and Haman's motives, so he tells his servants to read him a story from his chronicles. It seems like he is looking back among the people who helped him in the past to find someone who could help get him information on Haman and Esther. Lo and behold, he comes across the story of Mordechai and finds and even better opportunity. He can honor Mordechai in front of the whole city, as he hadn't rewarded him for saving his life, thereby showing the people of the city what would happen to someone who helped the king.
As Achashverosh comes up with this brilliant plan, none other than Haman shows up at his door. Achashverosh becomes immediately suspicious- why would Haman be coming to him in the middle of the night? Meanwhile, Haman believes that the king has the utmost respect for him. Achashverosh decides to ask Haman what he should do for someone he wants to honor- emphasis on "someone". He is purposely being ambiguous, as he knows that Haman will think he is talking about him. How Haman responds to the question will reveal whether is planning to kill the king or not. Unfortunately for him, Haman answers exactly how Achashverosh expected him to.
Haman tells the king that he should give this person clothing that the king has already worn, the horse that the king has ridden on, and the king's own crown. He should have a servant bring this person around the city crying, "this shall be done the man whom the king wishes to honor!" The king understands this to mean that Haman is secretly wishing to be king himself. What he says next throws Haman completely off: Haman himself should take all of those things and do them to Mordechai. Haman unwillingly carried out the king's wishes and returned home with his face covered. Haman told his wife what had happened, though unlike before, when she suggested that he hang Mordechai, she now tells him that if he has started to fall before Mordechai the Jew, he will lose. As this is happening, the king's servants arrive to take Haman to Esther's second party.
Perek ז contains the last of Haman's downfall, which doesn't take long at all. Achashverosh again asks Esther what it is she really wants, and this time, Esther replies truthfully. She says that if it is good in the eyes of the king, she wants her life and her people as her request. She is playing on Achashverosh's love for her by making it all revolve around her and her life and her people. She continues that they were sold to be killed, though if they had only been sold, she wouldn't have said anything.
Esther is hinting to the decree about the Jews. She uses the same words in the decree when saying they had been sold to be killed, showing Achashverosh that his name was on a decree that he did not really agree with. The king was reasonable in agreeing to Haman's initial request, to simply punish the Jews, which could have been taken as enslavement. However, his chief adviser has decreed genocide, which the king did not want.
Near the end of Perek ז, Esther tells the king that it was Haman who had done this. The king leaves the room in fury, unable to think of what to do. Haman, in the meantime, begged Esther for forgiveness, though the king returns to see Haman lying on top of Esther. The king freaks out and commands that Haman be hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordechai, which Chavona, who popped up out of nowhere, graciously pointed out. The last pasuk says that the king's anger subsided when Haman was killed, implying that all he really cared about what his power, as nothing had been done about the decree.
So, it seems like Achashverosh was an insecure, paranoid king who simply killed anyone that made him nervous. This brought The Hunger Games to my mind. In both stories there is a power hungry leader who watches as many people are put to death (or are supposed to be put to death) and who kills anyone who causes any trouble. As we know, (*spoiler alert*) President Snow has Seneca Crane, the original Gamemaker, put to death after allowing Katniss and Peeta to survive. Achashverosh has Haman, his chief adviser, put to death for threatening his power. In both stories, there is a law that people must die. In both stories, there are power hungry leaders. One story is set in the past and one in the future. In seems that in this we can see that people like that and situations like that are timeless. What do you think?
As Achashverosh comes up with this brilliant plan, none other than Haman shows up at his door. Achashverosh becomes immediately suspicious- why would Haman be coming to him in the middle of the night? Meanwhile, Haman believes that the king has the utmost respect for him. Achashverosh decides to ask Haman what he should do for someone he wants to honor- emphasis on "someone". He is purposely being ambiguous, as he knows that Haman will think he is talking about him. How Haman responds to the question will reveal whether is planning to kill the king or not. Unfortunately for him, Haman answers exactly how Achashverosh expected him to.
Haman tells the king that he should give this person clothing that the king has already worn, the horse that the king has ridden on, and the king's own crown. He should have a servant bring this person around the city crying, "this shall be done the man whom the king wishes to honor!" The king understands this to mean that Haman is secretly wishing to be king himself. What he says next throws Haman completely off: Haman himself should take all of those things and do them to Mordechai. Haman unwillingly carried out the king's wishes and returned home with his face covered. Haman told his wife what had happened, though unlike before, when she suggested that he hang Mordechai, she now tells him that if he has started to fall before Mordechai the Jew, he will lose. As this is happening, the king's servants arrive to take Haman to Esther's second party.
Perek ז contains the last of Haman's downfall, which doesn't take long at all. Achashverosh again asks Esther what it is she really wants, and this time, Esther replies truthfully. She says that if it is good in the eyes of the king, she wants her life and her people as her request. She is playing on Achashverosh's love for her by making it all revolve around her and her life and her people. She continues that they were sold to be killed, though if they had only been sold, she wouldn't have said anything.
Esther is hinting to the decree about the Jews. She uses the same words in the decree when saying they had been sold to be killed, showing Achashverosh that his name was on a decree that he did not really agree with. The king was reasonable in agreeing to Haman's initial request, to simply punish the Jews, which could have been taken as enslavement. However, his chief adviser has decreed genocide, which the king did not want.
Near the end of Perek ז, Esther tells the king that it was Haman who had done this. The king leaves the room in fury, unable to think of what to do. Haman, in the meantime, begged Esther for forgiveness, though the king returns to see Haman lying on top of Esther. The king freaks out and commands that Haman be hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordechai, which Chavona, who popped up out of nowhere, graciously pointed out. The last pasuk says that the king's anger subsided when Haman was killed, implying that all he really cared about what his power, as nothing had been done about the decree.
So, it seems like Achashverosh was an insecure, paranoid king who simply killed anyone that made him nervous. This brought The Hunger Games to my mind. In both stories there is a power hungry leader who watches as many people are put to death (or are supposed to be put to death) and who kills anyone who causes any trouble. As we know, (*spoiler alert*) President Snow has Seneca Crane, the original Gamemaker, put to death after allowing Katniss and Peeta to survive. Achashverosh has Haman, his chief adviser, put to death for threatening his power. In both stories, there is a law that people must die. In both stories, there are power hungry leaders. One story is set in the past and one in the future. In seems that in this we can see that people like that and situations like that are timeless. What do you think?
Who Are These People?!
Queen Esther and her uncle, the heroic Mordechai.
I have always envisioned the two Purim main characters as Esther being so beautiful that the king could not say no to her, and so loyal to her people and Mordechai as being this wise, Rabbi-type guy who is the perfect Jew who guides Esther throughout the story and saves the Jews. Man, was I wrong. Just this last weekend, my perceptions of who these people were and what they might have looked like were shattered. Now I see Mordechai as this strong, cunning, political leader and Esther as a manipulating queen with quite a few tricks up her sleeve.
Let's begin with Mordechai. He's the guy who won't bow down to the evil Haman, who watches out for his niece, Esther, everyday and gives her advice, who foils a plot to kill the king because he's just that great, and is finally given Haman's job at the end. Now we have the best Jew ever with all this power in the Persian government, right? No. Wrong. Was Mordechai even all that great? Did he really save the Jews? Was he a good Jewish leader? Eh. Yes, he did help Esther take the first move in going to the King and asking him to save the Jews, but he doesn't actually do much else. He doesn't bow down to Haman, which could have gotten the entire nation killed. He saves the king and gets paraded around on a horse (but that whole story is meant to show us how the king was getting suspicious of Haman and all that--not really about Mordechai). After everything and Haman is hanged, Mordechai is given the ring and Haman's power. So, what does he do? He puts out another decree that lets the Jews defend themselves from their enemies. That day comes and the Jews end up killing about 76,000 people. That's not just defending--call me crazy, but that sounds like one bloody massacre. You would think with all the power Mordechai now had and with how smart he was supposed to be he could figure out a way to spare all these innocent lives. The tzadik-grandfather-type Mordechai I keep picturing would not be cool with letting all those people die.
Mordechai was powerful enough to orchestrate the killing of over 76,000 people. If he could do that, imagine how much power the guy has. If you remember, the Jews are not in the best situation right now. It is possible the Beit Hamikdash is build already in Israel and we know Coresh has already allowed the Jews to return to Israel--yet all these Jews are still in Persia. Mordechai--the Eish Yehudi--is supposed to be in Israel! All of these people should be in Israel, yet they were in Persia. Mordechai is now in such a powerful position, you would expect him to do something to help the Jewish people, maybe send them to Israel? Anything? Nope. Nadda.
Esther is one master of manipulation. She manipulates the king when she goes to see him (risking her life) and asks for him and Haman to attend a party she is making for him. She uses an ambiguous pronoun on purpose to throw him off and get him thinking. The king gets paranoid and anxious and let's it all get to his head. He starts getting suspicious of Haman and it's all because Esther was playing with his mind. Esther knows the king makes decisions based on his emotions, even though he wants everything to think he goes strictly by the law. She uses this to her advantage. After she violates the law with an overt emotional approach, she makes a more subtle emotional appeal to get the king to save her people. It ends up working and Mordechai gets the ring so he can write a new decree. Esther uses the king's insecurities against him. She makes him more paranoid and suspicious. Because of her, the Jews are saved.
Who would have thought that Mordechai was not a grandfather with a long beard who did everything like the perfect Jew should? I don't remember seeing that in the magnifying glass in the Artscroll Megilla..
I have always envisioned the two Purim main characters as Esther being so beautiful that the king could not say no to her, and so loyal to her people and Mordechai as being this wise, Rabbi-type guy who is the perfect Jew who guides Esther throughout the story and saves the Jews. Man, was I wrong. Just this last weekend, my perceptions of who these people were and what they might have looked like were shattered. Now I see Mordechai as this strong, cunning, political leader and Esther as a manipulating queen with quite a few tricks up her sleeve.
Let's begin with Mordechai. He's the guy who won't bow down to the evil Haman, who watches out for his niece, Esther, everyday and gives her advice, who foils a plot to kill the king because he's just that great, and is finally given Haman's job at the end. Now we have the best Jew ever with all this power in the Persian government, right? No. Wrong. Was Mordechai even all that great? Did he really save the Jews? Was he a good Jewish leader? Eh. Yes, he did help Esther take the first move in going to the King and asking him to save the Jews, but he doesn't actually do much else. He doesn't bow down to Haman, which could have gotten the entire nation killed. He saves the king and gets paraded around on a horse (but that whole story is meant to show us how the king was getting suspicious of Haman and all that--not really about Mordechai). After everything and Haman is hanged, Mordechai is given the ring and Haman's power. So, what does he do? He puts out another decree that lets the Jews defend themselves from their enemies. That day comes and the Jews end up killing about 76,000 people. That's not just defending--call me crazy, but that sounds like one bloody massacre. You would think with all the power Mordechai now had and with how smart he was supposed to be he could figure out a way to spare all these innocent lives. The tzadik-grandfather-type Mordechai I keep picturing would not be cool with letting all those people die.
Mordechai was powerful enough to orchestrate the killing of over 76,000 people. If he could do that, imagine how much power the guy has. If you remember, the Jews are not in the best situation right now. It is possible the Beit Hamikdash is build already in Israel and we know Coresh has already allowed the Jews to return to Israel--yet all these Jews are still in Persia. Mordechai--the Eish Yehudi--is supposed to be in Israel! All of these people should be in Israel, yet they were in Persia. Mordechai is now in such a powerful position, you would expect him to do something to help the Jewish people, maybe send them to Israel? Anything? Nope. Nadda.
Esther is one master of manipulation. She manipulates the king when she goes to see him (risking her life) and asks for him and Haman to attend a party she is making for him. She uses an ambiguous pronoun on purpose to throw him off and get him thinking. The king gets paranoid and anxious and let's it all get to his head. He starts getting suspicious of Haman and it's all because Esther was playing with his mind. Esther knows the king makes decisions based on his emotions, even though he wants everything to think he goes strictly by the law. She uses this to her advantage. After she violates the law with an overt emotional approach, she makes a more subtle emotional appeal to get the king to save her people. It ends up working and Mordechai gets the ring so he can write a new decree. Esther uses the king's insecurities against him. She makes him more paranoid and suspicious. Because of her, the Jews are saved.
Who would have thought that Mordechai was not a grandfather with a long beard who did everything like the perfect Jew should? I don't remember seeing that in the magnifying glass in the Artscroll Megilla..
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