James Baquet “The Book of Esther” is unusual: Of the Bible’s 66 books, it is one of only two that never mentions the name of God. (The other is the “Song of Songs.”) Instead, it focuses on the Jewish community, and especially on one of their great heroes, a woman named Esther. The Jewish people had been taken captive and transported to Persia, where they were oppressed under king Ahasuerus. (The book is entirely fictional.) Ahasuerus had deposed his queen, Vashti, for disobedience, and chose as his new queen a woman named Esther — actually a Jewish orphan who was raised by her cousin Mordecai, who told her to keep her ethnicity a secret. It happened that this Mordecai uncovered a plot against the king’s life, and when he revealed it, the conspirators were hanged. Mordecai’s name was recorded in the king’s chronicles. Meanwhile, Ahasuerus’ vizier, Haman, was offended because Mordecai, a Jew, had refused to bow down to him. Because of this, Haman plotted to kill all the Jews in the empire, and got the king’s permission by claiming that the Jews were rebellious. Mordecai, of course, asked Esther to intercede, but she was afraid to go against the king. Ahasuerus, unable to sleep one night, asked that the court chronicles be read to him, and was reminded of Mordecai saving him. The next day, Haman approached the king to ask for permission to hang Mordecai, but before he could speak, the king asked him: “What is the best way for me to honor a man?” Haman, assuming it was he who would be honored, said such a man should be dressed in the king’s clothes, and led through the streets on the king’s horse wearing the king’s crown, with a herald calling out his accomplishment. Imagine his surprise when the king said, “Go, and do this for Mordecai the Jew!” That night Esther revealed to the king and Haman that she, too, was a Jew, and asked the king to spare her people. Haman was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai, and the Jews were permitted to take up arms against anyone who tried to kill them. Esther had saved the day, and Mordecai took a prominent position in the king’s court. The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the story to this day. Vocabulary: Which word above means: 1. a young person whose parents have died 2. removed from power 3. a place to hang someone 4. official records 5. a person who makes announcements 6. an advisor 7. let go, save 8. going against the government 9. speak on behalf of 10. people who plan a crime |