Megillat Esther with the Malbim

INTRODUCTION TO MEGILLAT ESTHER WITH THE MALBIM: Welcome! Tomorrow we will examine the time and place of Megillat Esther. Further we will discuss who the Malbim was and how to learn his commentary. Finally we will learn the first 5 pesukim with Rashi and the Malbim. Please read all of Chapter 1. Shavua tov, Yedidya Rausman

THE BANQUET AND VASHTI’S INVITATION: According to the Malbim : Why does the Megilla tell us about Shushan HaBira? What was unique about the first banquet? What was the purpose of the second banquet? What was Achashverosh accomplishing according to both Chazal and the Malbim by inviting Vashti to the banquet? How did he put his plan in action? We will learn through Chapter 1: Verse 14…Looking forward…

VASHTI’S TRIAL: Was there a trial? Who were these judges? What did Achashveirosh want her sentence to be? How does the Malbim view this event with his macro – view of Achashveirosh and his desire for power?

INTRO TO THE SEARCH FOR A NEW QUEEN: How does the background of Perek aleph help us understand the search for a new queen? How does Achashveirosh obtain toleration control of the new kingdom? How does Vashti’s sentence to death and the manner that the decree was sent out lend to the Malbim’s understanding of the story of Purim?

MORDECHAI THE JEW: Who is Mordechai? Why does his background matter? How is Esther related to him? How did Esther end up in the chamber of Haggai? How did he treat her? What was Esther’s plan? How did Achashveirosh deal with Esther not revealing her true identity?

ESTHER CHOSEN AS QUEEN, BIGTAN AND TERESH: Why did Achashveirosh choose Esther? What advice did Esther heed to? How was Mordechai affected by this? Who were Bigtan and Teresh? Why were they not pleased with Achashveirosh?

HAMAN’S RISE TO POWER, CONFRONTATION WITH MORDECHAI, THE LOTS: What connection did Haman’s promotion have to do with previous events? Why did Mordechai refuse to bow to Haman? Why did Haman not become angered from the reports of the servants, only when he personally saw Mordechai’s refusal? Why did Haman decide to destroy ALL of Jewry because of one man’s crime? Why did the lots fall on the 13th of Adar?

AMAN AND THE KING, THE DEADLY LETTERS: Why did Haman omit the name of the people he slandered? How did a great ruler like Achashveirosh agree to the destruction of an entire innocent people? If he was a guilty accomplice how did he later wonder at the identity and motive of the culprit; why did he pour out his wrath on Haman? Why did Haman rush to have the letters printed that day…even though they could not take effect for 11 months? How do we explain the callousness of a ing on the verge of genocide casually enjoying his drinking; and how do we understand Shushan being perplexed?

MORDECHAI RESPONDS AND ACTS: What was the significance of Mordechai’s knowledge of what had transpired since the decree was common knowledge? Why did he come in sackcloth to the King’s gates? Why was Hasach chosen? What did Mordechai show Esther? What did he pass on to her?

MORDECHAI-ESTHER DIALOGUE: Why did Mordechai rush Esther to meet the king since there was still plenty of time for action and during the interlude she might be normall invited by the king? Why did Esther claim that the fast was for her as oppose to all the Jewish people? We will complete the 4th perek. The scans are located with Monday’s class

THE SECOND BANQUET: Why did the king address her as Queen Esther? Why did Ester say she would have been silent had her people been sold into slavery, and what did she mean by the adversary is not worth the damage he causes the king? Why did Haman not pleased before his life before the king and queen? How did Charvona know about Haman’s plans to hand Mordechai and what difference is it that it is fifty cubits high and now stands in Hamans home?

CHAPTER 8 UNDOING HAMAN’S TROUBLE: What is the significance of Esther placing Mordechai in charge of Haman’s estate? Why did Esther beg more intensely now? How did the king hope to comfort her fears and for her ppl by recalling the execution of Haman and the giving of his estate to Esther?

MORDECHAI’S LETTERS:  Why did Mordechai wait till 23rd Sivan to write the second letters? Haman’s letter implied slaughter on the Thirteenth and spoils afterwards while Mordechai implied that both would take place on the same day. Why did Mordechai send the letters on horseback and Haman by foot?

TABLES ARE TURNED CHAPTER 9: What is meant that Mordechai grew Greater and Greater? If the king was upset about the death toll in Shushan why did he invite Esther to request further security? Why did he allow the Jews such a free hand in slaughtering the citizens of his own land? Why is the city steadily referred to as Shushan the Capital and here simply as Shushan?