; Frymer-Kensky,In the Wake of the Goddesses, 137-38. Esther asked Mordecai to fast for three days, even though the third day was the first day of the holiday ofA seven-day festival to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt (eight days outside Israel) beginning on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan. The story of Esther happened after Cyrus, the first Persian King, called for all deported Jews to return to Jerusalem to build the House of God (538 B.C., Ezra 1:2). What episode does Squidward say the F word. Instead, Haman was hanged, and the Jews were given permission to destroy their enemies. Read Esther 4:1-17. The midrash tells that when Esther came to Ahasueruss palace the spirit of divine inspiration left her, and she then prayed to God. The monarch of Persia, King Ahasuerus, was wealthy and powerful. Esther wanted to speak with Xerxes about Haman's hatred toward the Jews. She died in her sleep at the Royal Lodge, Great Windsor Park, which is now the main residence of her grandson. The Rabbis devote extensive attention to Esthers observance of the laws of niddah. According to the Babylonian tradition, she saw menstrual blood (BT Megillah15a). It is believed that Mordecai was married before the events of the book, as the King of Persia issues a decree for all unmarried women to come to the palace for beautification treatments. However, just because you don't know when Since Nehemiah was a leading figure in Jerusalem by 432 BC, Rabbah26:8;Lam. her death is not known. When, several years later, Nehemiah asked the Persian King for permission to return to Zion and rebuild Jerusalem, "the Queen is seating by him" (Nehemia 2:6), and she influenced the King's decision to approve Nehamia's request. The Queen described in the Book of Nehemiah is Queen Esther. Continue Learning about Religious Studies. , Rabbi Nathan states, In its season from Shabbat night to Shabbat night, the way [rains] fell in the days of Queen Shelamzion., Megillat Esther: A Godless and Assimilated Diaspora.. Bibles] who ruled Persia from 486 to 465 BC. The two were very close and Mordecai was highly regarded and respected by both King Xerxes and the Jewish people. probably lived at the same time. 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. Elizabeth reigned for almost forty-five years and was the last monarch of the Tudor Dynasty, having died childless. Esther herself observed the commandment of searching for thehamez(Esth. [10] Frymer-Kensky,In the Wake of the Goddesses: Women, Culture, and the Biblical Transformation of Pagan Myth(Free Press, 1992), 130. Their legal marriage age suggests that they prefer young people below 18 (prime of the youth). The regimen of rituals, songs and textual readings performed in a specific order on the first two nights (in Israel, on the first night) of Passover. Those were the good old days, the rabbis say, the days of Queen Shelamzion. She trusted in the goodness and power of God, and in the end He delivered her and her people, the Jewish people, from destruction. Esther and her cousin Mordecai (who had once saved the king's life) later persuaded the king to cancel an order for the extermination of the Jews in his vast realm, which had been plotted by the king's chief minister, Haman. Josephus final words about Shelamzion are that despite her deviation from proper feminine behavior, she had kept the nation at peace (Jewish Antiquities 13:432). Also called the "Festival of Mazzot"; the "Festival of Spring"; Pesah.Passover. On the third day, Queen Esther put on her royal robes and presented herself to King Xerxes, even though her husband had not requested her presence in over a month. Part of HuffPost Religion. And her name was not Esther. The Talmud sees Haman's decree as a punishment from Heaven to these Jews. Mordechais loyalty and faithfulness to the King were key elements in the unfolding of the events. Esther was ready to endanger herself and even to give her life to save her people, who therefore are called her people (4:8): to plead with him for her people(Ex. For an analysis of these sources and their reliability, see Tal Ilan,Integrating Women into Second Temple History(Tbingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1999), esp. These actions demonstrated the kings respect and admiration for Esther and earned her the loyalty of her people. This last event was around the same time that Esther became Queen. Mordecai stopped at the gate because he wanted to tell the king about a plot to kill him. Esther told the king that her people were in danger. The Bible depicts Esther as an orphan who was raised in the house of her uncle Mordecai(Esth. Ilan relies upon Bickermans dating, as does Aaron KollersEsther in Ancient Jewish Thought(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014). Her name was Shelamzion Alexandra. The jar symbolizes Esthers grief, fear, and pain, which stems from her captivity in King Xerxes harem. Esther retorted, "Without Jews, who needs Passover?". Rabbah30:4). The night of their union, Ahasuerus loved Esther "above all women" and made her the Persian Empire's Queen. During the Temple period, the dough set aside to be given to the priests. Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women. He also arranged for the Jews to gather and fast for the protection of their lives. Even though she was the queen and the favorite of Xerxes, Esther was taking a great risk in deciding to go to him. Prof. Mika Ahuvia is Associate Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Washington and currently holds the Marsha and Jay Glazer Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies. The Book of Esther relates that Esther told no one of her Jewish origins, as Mordecai had ordered her. Decades ago, the historian Elias Bickerman drew attention to a marvelous coincidence: a postscript in the Greek translation of Esther tells us that in 78 or 77 BCE, just one year before Queen Shelamzion began to rule by herself, Megillat Esther was translated into Greek and sent to the Jewish communities of ancient Alexandria. to be fictional. Most people have never heard of Queen Shelamzion Alexandra. Esther was the heroine and central figure in the Book of Esther, which is now recognised by Biblical scholars to have been a second-century-BCE Jewish novel. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Esther-biblical-figure, McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia - Esther. It can also be assumed from the story that Mordecai was well aware that bowing to Haman may compromise his loyalty to the Jews and God, and thus put him in a dangerous situation. One day he overheard a conspiracy between two of the king's guards who wanted to assassinate Xerxes. The short answer is that we'll never know. My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? Jesus or Esther? The Rabbis include Esther among the seven most beautiful women in the world (BT Megillah 15a). 22:1: For the leader; onayelet ha-shahar[literally, the hind of the dawn], which the Rabbis apply to Esther. He wished Queen Vashti to be brought to the feast so that he may flaunt her wonderful beauty. How old was The Queen Mother when she died? Corrections? In the Book of Esther, Mordecai plays a major role in the events leading up to the deliverance of the Jewish people from their enemies. She remained passive to the moody King and obedient to her authoritarian uncle, Mordecai. What is the labour of cable stayed bridges? There is not one correct rendering of her name in any rabbinic manuscript (260). Meir, Tamar. Designation of the five scrolls of the Bible (Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther). Esther remained passive and allowed the King to rape her repeatedly. How can we explain Esther's abrupt change in behavior from deep despair to determined action and from passiveness to leadership? Rabbah6:5). But to approach the king without being summoned was not only illegal, but it could very well result in death for impertinence. After recently suffering with a bad. In Jacobs blessing to his sons, he blesses Benjamin(Gen. 49:27): Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he consumes the foe, and in the evening he divides the spoil, which the Rabbis applied to Mordecai and Esther. Esth. even met her a few times when He was a young boy. Mordecais wife is an unnamed woman from Susa. The king held a party in his honor one day. Haman, having become incensed thatMordecai, aJew, held him indisdainand refused obeisance, convinced the king that the Jews living under Persian rule were rebellious and should be slaughtered. Rabbah8:3). Elizabeth I is one of England's most well-known monarchs. The plea was turned down by her. They did not have the riches that Esther had. Her jar represented her strength and her resilience and gives a powerful message of hope to all those facing oppression. When events took a turn for the worst and Esther learned that Prime Minister Haman planned to kill all Jews in the Persian Empire, on a single day, she decided to act quickly to prevent the genocide. Esthers jar captures her willingness to stand up and fight against her oppressors, despite being completely alone and without support. Seeking a new queen, the king appointed commissioners to bring all the beautiful young virgins from every province into his harem for a year of cosmetic treatments so that he might select a new bride. He even granted permission for the Jews to arm themselves with weapons and deliver the kings edicts throughout the kingdom. The Rabbis viewed Esther as one who was compelled to marry Ahasuerus against her will. Persians are modern day Iranians and they are not Jews. Mordechai had a cousin named Esther, who was the daughter of Abihail, a Benjamite. The ancient Jewish historian Josephus provides some details. [1] As shall be discussed further below, much of what we know about Shelamzion Alexandra comes from Josephuss two accounts of her reign inJewish War1.107-119 andJewish Antiquities13.398-432. Rabbah6:11). Immediately upon her death, her sons fought over the throne, eventually inviting in Rome, and Judea never regained full independence until the modern state of Israel. Esther was taken from her home and came to live in the palace along with many other girls of the harem. After Esther was crowned queen, Mordecai held an important position at the palace and worked closely with the Queen in all matters. The Jewish festival ofPurimcelebrates this event. Mordechai and Esthers relationship was an important part of the events of the Book of Esther. Esther risked her life to save the Jews, thus, she became an example of unselfishness and faithfulness. Mordecai held a position inside of the king's palace, and he went their every day to perform his duties. Yes, Mordechai was indeed Esthers cousin. [3] Her thoughts are characterized by pressured speech, disorganized thought processes, confusion, and paranoia. Esther remained passive and allowed the King to rape her repeatedly. Kings David and Solomon had many wives, some more influential than others, but they are never represented as ruling in their husbands stead. When Esther sought to deliver up Haman, she revealed her identity as a Jew in the act. I'm going to guess that he was born before 464 BC, so yes they assassinated with her husband (which was likely), or if she was Mordecai was an important figure in the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible. The matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king: Mordecai's attitude wasn't "I'm a Jewish man in exile under a pagan king, so I do not care if he is killed.". Something went wrong while submitting the form. She was expressing her inner strength and her ability to survive and even to thrive in difficult circumstances. 22:23). Her son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, is now King Charles III, as the world grieves his mother, Britain's longest-reigning monarch. Rabbah28:6). The Scroll of Esther is read on Purim from a parchment scroll.Megillah13a). She oversaw a peaceful and prosperous period. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. What happened to Queen Esther in the Bible? 10:2). She According to the tradition that she was previously unmarried, she was now married to and lived with a non-Jewish king. Rabbah6:9). The festival of Purim and the satirical setting of Megillat Esther may cause us to minimize the unusual story it preserves: the story of a young woman succeeding against all odds in foreign territory. You, O Father of orphans, stand at the right hand of this orphan, who trusts in Your compassion. 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. However, later scribes, as the manuscript evidence suggests, no longer understood it. This also leads to a different understanding of Mordecais involvement, as he walks about in the royal courtyard out of concern for his wife. script>. [6] Josephus writes: Alongside Queen Alexandra, and gaining power with her, were the Pharisees, an important sector of the Jewish community who were considered more religious than the rest of the nation and stricter in the observance and interpretation of the Laws (trans. 5). [4] Tal Ilan devotes a chapter to discussing the name Shelamzion inSilencing the Queen, 259ff. She understood that she had a mission and that she could shape reality rather than passively suffer through it. 2). In a 1957 Christmas Broadcast, the Queen promised the United Kingdom she would give her . Some may have stumbled upon the street named after her in downtown Jerusalem, but otherwise, she is generally only briefly mentioned, marginalized, and almost written out of the historical record. The Rabbis relate to Esther as the one responsible for the deliverance of Israel and compare her to the moon, which shone for Israel in the darkness of night. assumed in to the next King's harem (also possiblealthough a During Jacob's stay, he fell in love with Rachel . Esther was a young Jewish girl taken into the palace of the king of Persia, King Ahasuerus. Another angel pushed Haman onto Esthers couch (BTMegillahloc. Rabbah5:3). Esther, on the other hand, was taken every day and, like them, she requested miracles. Princess Elizabeth ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI. A new decree to save the Jews. i. In addition, she serves as an example of how to effectively use your voice and influence to make a difference. Esther is noteworthy for her beauty, intelligence, and courage, along with her humility. Gaalya Cornfeld, ed.,Josephus: The Jewish War; Zondervan Publishing House, 1982). Codification of basic Jewish Oral Law; edited and arranged by R. Judah ha-Nasi c. 200 C.E. The Rabbis were concerned about the question of Esthers marital status. Rabbah6:4). Estimates vary, but she was most likely between 50 and 60 years old when she died. [11] According to the colophon to Greek Esther, a delegation of Jews from Jerusalem went to Egypt with the translation of the story of Megillat Esther and asked the Jews of Alexandria to begin celebrating the festival of Purim. What Did God Write on the Tablets of Stone? Additionally, Hamans royal throne and belongings were given to Mordecai, and he was honored by the people of the city. 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 became the new wife of the king when his . We rely on the support of readers like you. She appears to be a loyal wife to Mordecai, as she supports him throughout his efforts to save the Jewish people from Hamans plot. [1] In preparation for Purim and the reading of Megillat Esther, the story of this forgotten Jewish queen is worth recounting. Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. Omissions? The Jews were in the Babylonian exile. 2:7). [7] See Elsie Sterns reading of Megillat Esther as a cautionary tale for Jews living in the Diaspora in her TABS essay, Megillat Esther: A Godless and Assimilated Diaspora.. When Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman at the gate, Haman was extremely offended and sought to have Mordecai killed. Esther then initiated a covert plan to defeat Haman using her grace and beauty. After he had Vashti killed, all the lands rebelled against him; once he married Esther, one hundred and twenty-seven lands came under his rule once again, and when he appointed Mordecai as viceroy, they all returned to him (Midrash Tehilim, onPs. Have an update or correction? Dont miss the latest essays from TheTorah.com. May this man have mercy on me, for I fear him. Just as the myrtle is sweet-smelling but has a bitter taste, so Esther was sweet to Ahasuerus, but bitter to Haman (Esth. Alexandra the Maccabee. [13] The analogy of Israel to a sinful adulteress in the prophets is more prominent. The story of the underdog, of the weaker winning against the stronger, is the quintessential biblical and Jewish theme, but it is not often that Israel is figuredliterarily or in realityas a woman and still praised as pious, divinely appointed, and beloved.[13]. 49). Mordecai did not bow to Haman because he was a Jew and Haman was an Agagite, the enemies of Gods chosen people. After Esthers coronation, the king continues to gather virgins in his palace, which the Rabbis understand as an activity meant to reveal Esthers identity. 100-105 and 127-154. Features thousands of biographic and thematic essays on Jewish women around the world. someone died doesn't mean they didn't exist. What is the reflection of the story of princess urduja? He became King of Persia in 485BC at the age of 33. The outraged king ordered that Haman be hanged on the gallows built for Mordecai and that Mordecai be named to fill Hamans position. The midrash compares Esther to a hind and to the dawn, based onPs. Their relationship was instrumental in saving the Jews from extermination and is one of the main themes of the Book of Esther. Lit. Please consider supporting TheTorah.com. According to the second direction, Esther was her real name, and she is so named throughout the Book of Esther; accordingly, the name Hadassah needs further explanation. 482 BC, so Daniel had likely been dead for about 25 years at this Another tradition has Mordecais wife nursing the infant (Midrash Tehilim, onPs. 22:7, 2426). Esther replaced Queen Vashti, who had been sentenced to death because she had refused to display her beauty to the King's feast attendants. Queen Elizabeth, who reigned for 70 years as Britain's monarch, died Thursday at Balmoral, her estate in the Scottish Highlands. His father was Kish, who descended from the House of Benjamin. 49). This makes Esther 60 years younger than her cousin Mordecai. 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. This understanding of the Book of Esther is linked to the perception of Esther as a prophet: she is included in the list of seven women prophets(BTMegillah14a; Seder Olam Rabbah21). 20). cit. Esthers story culminates when the beloved queen is faced with the decision to either continue to disguise her Jewish heritage and maintain her safety or jeopardize everything to advocate for her people. The king wanted to honor Esther, so he showered her with gifts, including a crown and royal robes. Rebekah had sent him there to be safe from his angry twin brother, Esau. Esther must have been a "teenager" based on the historical and Biblical facts above. Once upon a time a Jewish queen ruled the land. Anyway, there's no record of whether Esther was Her reign lasted less than a decade but still longer than a two-term presidency. She reigned in the first century BCE, sixty years after the Hasmoneans achieved independence from the Seleucid Empire and a few decades before King Herod. [8]Once there, she does not plead for help but carefully petitions the king, setting in motion a plan to undermine Haman and save the Jewish people.[9]. Esther may or may not have reflected the historical reality of the Persian period, but her story provided a model for a new reality in Shelamzions lifetime. 4:11): Now I have not been summoned to visit the king for the last thirty days(Ex. ), or her strength wanedPirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer[ed. Mordecai is mentioned inEsth. Esther stood in the middle of the fourth department; the guards of the first department could no longer touch her, while those of the last department could not yet approach her. Esther: Nice Jewish Girl, Married to a Goy? In this article: Her Name Early Life Palace Life Esther and Mordechai Save the King's Life point. (Viewed on March 4, 2023)