Our friend and reader of Booksnthoughts.com asked a good question: Is the Purim story a parable? “What is the significance that Esther is a Persian name? Did Esther really exist or is she a fictional character?” I thought all of our readers would be interested in the answer. Therefore, I am writing the following.
Esther and Mordecai have names based on Persian idols Ishtar and Marduk, but I see no significance in this. Many Talmudic rabbis and Jewish kings had non-Jewish names. The names of our Jewish months are derived from Babylonia and include an idol’s name.
I have two thoughts regarding whether the biblical tale occurred or is a parable. First, I am reminded to recall and follow the advice of the Greek philosopher Plato’s story, which states that his teacher, the philosopher Socrates, was the most intelligent person because he knew he did not know everything. I admit I do not know. Some scholars contend that there is no evidence that Esther existed and the story is a parable. The French Jewish philosopher Joseph ibn Kaspi (1279-1240), who generally followed the views of Maimonides, viewed the Esther story as an allegory that shows how human beings can overcome unfavorable situations. Other scholars disagree. Most rabbis insist it is actual history. I do not know if some of them are saying so only to make Jews who feel they must believe the tale occurred are correct.
Second, even if the book is a parable, it is still sacred because of the many lessons it teaches. Many parts of the Torah itself, such as the introduction about how the world was created, are parables. Some other biblical books, such as the Book of Job, are parables.
Your essay inspired me to delve deeper into the subject. My research shows that the Purim holiday may have non-Jewish origins. Purim is not a Hebrew word. Purim means “lot” in Akkadian. The holiday was likely Judaized from Nowruz, the Persian New Years’ festival. Purim is observed on the 14th-15th of Adar, during the Full Moon at the Spring Equinox (March 21st) like other agricultural holidays (for instance, Sukkot).
The opening verse begins with “It was in the days of Xerxes,” and the words, “In those days,” suggest that the writing is written since the Persian empire, implying later authorship. What’s more, some words in the Book of Esther resemble Mishnaic/Rabbinic Hebrew, post-biblical in nature. Moreover, the narrative reads like a drama filled with plot-twists and happy endings, a style reflective of fiction. The story has the appearance of being fictitious.
Another indication that Esther may be a fictional character, and all of the characters are fictional is that Esther and Mordechai first appear in Josephus. Additionally, the holiday wasn’t even celebrated in Israel prior to the first-century. The Talmud never mentions a fast on the 13th of Adar. During the era of the Second Temple, the 13th of Adar was marked by festivities, honoring the military victory of the Hasmoneans over the Syrian-Greek commander, Nicanor, known as “Nicanor Day.” However, over time, the rabbis changed the holiday, substituting it with the Esther fast as a commemoration instead. Besides, if there was a fast day before the 14th of Adar it occurred in the month of Nissan. Ben Sira does not mention Esther in his list of Jewish heroes and Philo knows nothing of Esther, Mordechai, or Haman. Does this glaring omission signify a later invention? Do these facts indicate the story is a parable? I don’t know for sure. We must remember that Alexander the Great destroyed all the royal Persian archives when he invaded Persia in 331 BCE. The possibility then arises that an original document was lost, leaving us in perpetual uncertainty.
I agee with you. It is very possible that the story is a fiction. We can call the version we have a parable. We will probabably never know the truth. But what is significant is that our ancestors thought the book teaches us much and they therefore placed it in the Bible. Therefore, whether it is factual or not, it is sacred because it has messages to make our lives better.
The fact that something did not occur but is a parable; showcases that teh Torah itself is a piece of literature.
ITS A Foundation of western civilization.
It establishes and starts introducting this concept of a God into the world.
But, aristotle establisehs something else with the inquiry of the sciences.
Even though you state that the Torah establishes this also.
Hmm can u clear my thoughts?
I am not sure if i am fully correct in my analysis Rabbi.
Literature itself is the greatest work a man can make because it inspires people to become better human beings through the act of reading or watching tv shows or movies or animes.
I have always stressed Maimonides’ teaching that the truth is the truth no matter what its source. (I jus finished a book which includes jokes and I say we can even learn truths from jokes.)
Thanks for answering my question. Esther may be a fictional character or real. There is nothing supernatural in the story so the Purim story could have happened as real history.
I agree entirely, Shmuel.
Hi Rabbi Drazin: Do you believe the Torah is Devine?
I like to think that God dictated it, but even if I am wrong, I think it it is sacred because of the wisdom it contains. I devoted my life to it.
Even if God did not dictate the Torah to Moses and even if the Torah is entirely a human document, it is still divine in the metaphorical sense. Spinoza called the Torah divine in having some nice moral teachings such as the command to “love your neighbor as yourself”.
As usual, Turk, we agree.
Ultimately, whether one views Esther as a historical figure or a powerful narrative symbol may depend on one’s religious perspective and interpretation of history, dear Rabbi Israel Drazin. The significance of her Persian name, “Esther,” which means “to hide,” comes from her hiding her Jewish identity. The fact that she keeps her Jewish identity hidden for much of the story is symbolic of the many Jews in history who have had to hide their faith for survival. In the general Jewish tradition, Esther is considered a real historical figure, not a fictional character. However, there are debates among historians about the historicity of the Book of Esther given the lack of certain corroborating evidence in Persian historical records Some scholars debate the historical accuracy of the Book of Esther, suggesting it may contain elements of fiction or folktale; the Talmudic commentary generally doesn’t dispute the historical accuracy of the events described but rather focuses on deciphering their spiritual and moral implications. Best: stephen
I agree with you, Stephen, as usual.
The significance of her Persian name, “Esther,” which means “to hide,” comes from her hiding her Jewish identity.
Does this imply and indicate that the parable was made up?
Since, the name itself gives it away that its a story and a tale not an actual event that occured?
The idea that Esther means “hidden” is not true. It is a sermon. We can, as I wrote, think the story actually occured or that it is a parable, as long as we read it, learn from it, and realise it is filled with wisdom and is thereby sacred.
dear Israel,
what is not a parable in the jewish tradition?
A non-parable is an actual event, like the exodus from Egypt. Some events involving the exodus may be overstated to make points (lessons) but that Israelites were in Egypt is generally accpted as a fact.
Are there any other events that u can name that are seen as fact or verifiable by scientific discovery?
🙂 would love to know more
Science is discovering new facts daily. It is wonderful and enlightening to read what is being discovered. Recently, scientists found a way to read a 2000 year old fragment of the book of Esther at Qumran near the Dead Sea in Israel, which some scholars thought until now Jews did not consider the book sacred at the time, because they did not know the fragment was there. They were wrong.