Tonight is the night of Purim, and we've just read the Book of Esther in the synagogue. It's interesting to contrast the two Queens of the book and the disguises they wear or not. The first is Queen Vashti, the first wife of King Ahasuerus. The King demands that she present herself before the officers of the Land with her royal crown. She refuses - she does not take her position and its responsibilities seriously. She really is a Queen but because she refuses to reveal it, she is sentenced to death.
In contrast, Queen Esther does not see herself as anyone particularly special. She at first refuses to go announced before the king. Mordechai tells her what her role actually is, and that even if she does not see it, everyone in the castle and Land looks at her with favor. She puts on her royal clothes, enters before the king, and sparks redemption.
No comments:
Post a Comment