Nancy, Haman is obviously the bad guy
in the story. What is not obvious is that Esther is a triumphalist secular ethnography, and, unlike much of the old testament,not a litany of subjection to JHVH. The most striking thing to me is how the story starts with Xerxes acting the male chauvinist and putting away Vashti, who I really like for her unwillingness to be flaunted before Xerxes' drinking buddies. If Hadassah is the first Jewish women's libber, then Vashti is the first Persian libber (and still needs to be memorialized). Notice that Xerxes in his condemnation of Vashti is acting in accord with the absolutist view that there is nothing more obligatory than following the letter of the law (of the Medes and Persions that changeth not) rather than seeking to maximize human welfare.
The tale is also assimilationist. Hadassah is identified by her Indo-Iranian name (i.e. "Star"), while her Hebrew name is only mentioned once. Esther had to subject herself to the rituals of Persian religion (Ahura-Mazda and all that) to be accepted as queen (although probably not as a concubine which she was originally until she had pleased the King and he crowned her). The book doesn't mention or apologize for that, but praises her for concealing her nationality and background (because Mordecai (plotting the whole move) had forbidden her to do so).
Mordecai's refusal to bow down to Haman (as Xerxes had commanded everyone to do) is impossible to explain except as a desperate throw of the lots to bring himself to the attention of the King. He had already been identified and recorded in the annals as the exposer of Bigthana and Teresh. There was probably a natural suspicion on the part of the authorities that Mordecai was not only their exposer but also their betrayer. His big chance had turned to ashes when he got no recognition, and now he mocked Haman in a nearly hopeless attempt to get the King's attention. The actual record is quite thin here, after 2,400 years, but knowing Mordecai as a schemer, he must have had some reason -- and that a long-shot -- for him to expose himself (and the Jews, as if he cared) to annihilation.
Well, things really went to Sheoul for Mordecai. The argument with Esther to get her to intervene (and risk her life) on behalf of the Jews (whom he had embroiled) was successful, and brave Esther did the job. Her request, in lieu of half the Empire, was cancellation of the pogrom, and the execution of Haman on his own gallows, and the Jews, armed, defended themselves and killed Haman's ten sons, among others. Esther added a rather ghoulish request to have the ten sons (who had already been killed once) hanged on Haman's gallows, which was done. Among all the celebrating, still repeated to this day, Mordecai became chief of the Jews (which he had not been before his gamble) and second to the King in the Empire.
Any young, ambitious Jew learns what seems to me to be a terrifying lesson from Esther. Marry off your relatives to the oppressors, raise yourself in favor with them even if you risk the life of all the Jews. Then, with luck, but not divine favor, you can be rich and prosperous and remembered through all days. Mordecai out Machiavellied Machiavelli. Haman was tricked by a much smarter and bolder man. Esther did as she was told. Everyone, except the Hamanian Agagites, lived happily ever after. |
