Category:Esther (subject)

• BACK TO THE PEOPLE INDEX

Esther / Hadassah is a literary character, the protagonist of the Book of Esther

Overview

According to the Book of Esther, Hadassah was an orphaned Jewish child raised in Persia by Mordecai, her cousin (or uncle), who took her as his own daughter. Hadassah was chosen by the Persian King Ahasuerus as his new wife. She received her name Esther when she entered the royal harem. When the grand vizier, Haman wanted to exterminate the Jews, she was instrumental in saving her fellow Jews from massacre. She revealed to the king her identity as a Jew, and accused Haman of the plot to destroy her and her people. The king ordered that Haman should be hanged on the gallows prepared for Mordecai, and, confiscating his property, bestowed it upon the intended victim. The king then appointed Mordecai as his prime minister, and issued a decree authorizing the Jews to defend themselves.

The setting of the narrative is in the Persian Period, and King Ahasuerus is usually identified with the Persian King Xerses I. However, if the Book of Esther alludes to some historical events, they have left no trace in ancient sources. Like Daniel, Esther represents a "type" for Jews living in Diaspora, and hoping to live a successful life in an alien environment.

in Jewish tradition the story of Esther is the basis for the celebration of Purim. Scholarly research focuses exclusively on the study of the Book of Esther as a literary product.

Esther, in literature & the arts

• See Esther (fiction) < literature - music - cinema > / Esther (art)

Esther has enjoyed great popularity both in Judaism and Christianity, generating a flow of works of arts and fiction.

Esther, in scholarship

• See studies in the Book of Esther

Related categories

• Women
• Book of Esther (text)

External links

• [Wikipedia