Ahashverosh

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1. The Artistic Structure of the Book of Esther

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   The chiastic structure of the Book of Esther serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it highlights the reversal of the events: Haman's plan to exterminate the Jews versus the Jews ultimately controlling their enemies; Secondly, parallels between the two halves of the story indicate the internal processes that the Jews undergo during the course of the narrative, hinting that in fact there is no room for comparison at all.

2. Who is the Protagonist of Esther?

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   The beginning of the Book of Esther presents Mordekhai as the protagonist of the story, but later Esther is the character that drives the plot. By the end of the book, they are parallel protagonists. King Ahashverosh is the Antihero, who pushes us to find the hidden protagonist - the King of Kings.

3. The Greatness of the King, and the Greatness of Mordekhai

   Chapter 10

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   Ending the book with Ahashverosh's greatness puts the story in perspective. This is the story of Ahashverosh and his kingdom - not a Jewish story. Mordekhai's greatness is entirely dependent on the king's whims. This viewpoint is reinforced by the many allusions to the story of Joseph throughout the Book of Esther: Joseph rose to the highest power imaginable, but after his death the Jews were enslaved in Egypt.

4. Daniel and his Companions in the Court of the King of Babylon

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   Daniel and his three companions go into exile in Babylon at the end of Yehoyakim’s reign. The Babylonian attempt to assimilate them by giving them Babylonian names is confronted by their adherence to a pre-Halakhik decree to abstain from Babylonian food – even if technically permissible. Their challenge is compared to Yoseph’s challenge. While in a foreign land, he fought assimilation by refusing the seduction of Potiphar’s wife. Taking part in food and wine of the gentiles - like in the instance of Ba’al Pe’or or in the instance of Ahashverosh’s party - led to disastrous results. If eating the food was indeed not permissible, the improved health of the four boys might be explained as a spiritual result of their abstention.

5. The Writing on the Wall

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   Opinions vary regarding the precise chronology of the Babylonian dynasty. The kingdom of Babylon is limited to seventy years when no such limitation existed with any previous empire. Belshatzar’s pride and confidence leads him to drink out of the vessels of the Beit HaMikdash. This is similar to the Sages’s description of Ahashverosh’s behavior. Koresh’s desire to send the vessels of the Beit HaMikdash with the Jews back to Israel may have stemmed from a desire to remove the vessels that brought about Belshatzar’s downfall. Daryavesh’s age of sixty two when he assumes the throne of the empire means his birth corresponds with the first time Nevukhadnetzar first entered the Beit HaMikdash.