The Holiday of Purim occurs in 2024 on the eve of March 23 to the eve of the 24th. Tradition tells Jews to read the biblical book Esther during the first evening and the next morning services. Why should we read it?
The Book of Esther is one of the twenty-four books of the Hebrew Bible. Curiously, God is not mentioned in this volume of Scripture, and there is no indication that God was involved in any way in helping Esther and Mordecai save the Jews of Persia from the evil plot of Haman to kill them. True, the frightened Jews prayed when they heard that Haman received royal acceptance for his horrific plan, and this seems to be a religious activity. But there is no suggestion that God listened to their prayers or that the Jews relied on their prayers. Although forbidden to appear to the king unless summoned, Esther devises a subtle plan, goes to the king, and saves her people. Jews remember Esther’s deed yearly by celebrating the holiday of Purim, a word that means “lots,” a recollection of the lots that Haman tossed to determine what day he should murder the Jews. This title also doesn’t indicate the involvement of God but pure chance.
This isn’t the only curiosity. The Jerusalem Talmud states that all biblical books, except the Five Books of Moses and the Book of Esther, will be nullified in the future. The ancient Midrash Rabbah 9 states that all the Jewish holidays will cease except for Purim. What are the Talmud, Midrash, and the Book of Esther telling us?
Many Jews, Christians, and Muslims have tried to interpret the Book of Esther as a religious document designed to teach that God is involved in all that occurs on earth, but in a secret way. Many suggest that the name Esther is related to the Hebrew word hester, which means “hidden.” This, they insist, supports their view that God helps people in a hidden way. This is an interesting sermon for those who hold this view, but it isn’t true. Esther is a Persian name, not Jewish. It is a variation of the name of the goddess Astarte. Mordecai’s name is also a Hebraic version of the idol Marduk. Not only are the names of the main protagonists of this story not Jewish, but they are the names of idols. It is also noteworthy that the author does not even hint that Esther observed Jewish practices, such as keeping the kosher laws. This is not surprising. It is unreasonable to imagine that since the book states she kept her background secret and was watched constantly, she was able to observe Jewish practices. Thus, our heroine, who slept with a pagan monarch, apparently didn’t observe Jewish law.
The message of the Book of Esther, the Talmud, and Midrash is what the famed Jewish philosopher Maimonides (1138-1204) taught: God created or formed the laws of nature and is no longer involved in this world; God does not aid people; God expects people to use their intelligence, learn how the laws of nature work and help themselves, to improve themselves, society, and the world generally. This is why the Book of Esther does not mention God; God did not save the Jews; Esther used her intelligence and devised a way to save her people.
Similarly, the Talmud and Midrash state that there will come a day when all people will realize that they cannot rely on miracles and that the miracles in the biblical books should be understood figuratively. They will recognize that the message of the Book of Esther is correct.
The fact that Esther and Mordecai had names related to idols and she most likely didn’t observe Jewish law teaches that we shouldn’t focus on pieties to help us when we face danger. We should remember that she saved Jews. This situation is strikingly similar to the secular Jews who formed modern Zionism, which resulted in the rebirth of the State of Israel.
Thus, this book does not teach what many people consider religion: a passive reliance on God. Instead, it contains an important message about the human duty to perform acts that treat all that was created as we want to be treated. It is not the only book in the Hebrew Bible that does not reflect the common misconception that religion requires people to sit back and rely on divine help.
When you use the term secular jews.
What. do you mean by that?
Are they not Jewish since, they study the sciences like you Rabbi?
Are they not the pinnacle of jewish scholarship?
I think all people must be treated as we want to be treated, even people with terrible ideas, as long as they do not harm others in any way. When I delivered a lecture at the Airforce Academy in Denver years ago, and told them this, I was approached by a group of airmen who said they were Satanists. They asked if what I said applied also to them. I told them “Yes.”
So G-d has no involvement in the world. Then why do some of us pray? Another example: Is Hashkivenu a waste of time in your view?
I think that the main purpose of the Siddur, which is a collection of writings from many ages by many different kind of Jews, including rationalists and mystics and even Jews who disparaged women, is designed to make us think and learn and improve ourselves and all creation. The word for prayer in Hebrew is Hitpallel. It is reflective, focusing on us, not God. The root of the word means “judge.” We should use what we read to judge ourselves, learn, and act.
Prayer may be a time to “judge” oneself. However, prayer in the Tanakh is about praising God and asking for stuff. Moshe Rabbeinu asked to enter Israel. Hannah prayed to God, asking for a son, Samuel.
“She felt very bad, and prayed to the Lord, and wept greatly. And she vowed a vow, and said, “Lord of hosts, if you will look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a man child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor will come upon his head. And it happened that as she continued praying before the Lord that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah was speaking in her heart, only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard… I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request which I requested of him.”
How do you understand Hannah’s prayer as judging herself?
Dear Shmuel, I think you are exacly right, as usual. When I was saying that prayer should be a time to judge onesself, I was speaking about today. Of course, I recognize that people disagree and see prayer as a time to beg God for something. In regard to the biblical past, I think many people had a feeling they could “speak”to God, not beg for something. I see it as a conversation. I see it clearly in how the patriarchs and Moses addressed God. It was a conversation. It is possible to interpret Hannah’s conversation with God, like Jacob’s at Beth El, an attempt to work out a deal, if you do so and so, I will do so and so. However, I recognize I could be wrong.
Dear Israel,
Pasta Pasta.
Torah Torah,
Why does the Torah state miracles occured if followed literally.
Why does the Torah not openly state this are just stories not to be listened to exact word for word?
The Torah addressed the people of the time it was written and therefore allowed ideas such as slavery and sacrifices and eye for an eye and many others, which it blunted in many ways and hinted how they must be changed. The early Israelites were unable to accept ideas which we recognize as basic today such as slavery is wrong and miracles are unnecessary if we use our intelligence.
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?
Shmuel
I sent a reply as a new essay after I read your excellent question.
Hi Shmuel: This is off-topic from Purim. I see most of the comments stating that G-d is not involved today in any way. That it is up to us humans to fix the issues in this world. If this is true. Then why do we pray for Israel, especially during the time of war today? Or Thursday at 8:30 Pacific time we all say the Shema. Or in Sh’mot 14:21 it just happened, with no involvement from G-d. Or in B’reyshiyth 12:3 what does it mean? Is the Torah, Humash, and Pentateuch made up of parables & words of history that do not apply today?
I think that whether or not God is involved in the world and acts today in the world, God does not want us to sit back as puppets and wait to be fondled. Neither does God want us to make leaps of faith or rely on holy men and women. God gave humans intelligence to help them and wants us to act. Yes, go out and act. Not be a set of dolls in a play room.
Hi Yaaqoub Eliyyahu. I think Rabbi Drazin answered your question well. Since you asked me, I will give you my view as well. I am in agreement with the rabbi. God wants us to act, not pray. God never commanded us to pray or to seek him out in times of need. God would prefer we use the intelligence that God gave us to improve the world. Prayer is a nice activity but we should not just sit back and pray. The Torah requires action.
To answer your second question, I think some parts are parables and some are meant to teach history. Rabbi Drazin says the Exodus is taken as a fact. Most scholars say there’s no evidence but this does not mean it did not unfold. I think King David existed. There’s evidence that he did. Not everything in the Torah applies today. For example, the laws of animal sacrifice do not apply anymore. The rabbis changed the law and replaced it with prayer, a higher form of worship.
I agree with you entirely, Shmuel, as usual.
Hi Shmuel: Thank you for your detailed explanation. I have another question. Why do Orthodox Jews pray 3 times a day?
This is a good question, Yaaqoub Eliyyahu. We do not know. Jewish tradition offered several different solutions and even tried unsuccessfully to base some of the ideas on biblical verses where there is no hint of prayer. The most famous tradition is that the three services were invented by the three patriarchs.There is a discussion in the Talmud,long after the death of the patriarchs whether the 3rd service is necessary. People such as Abraham ibn Ezra said seven indicates a complete item, such as seven days of creation. Three indicates half (or close to half) of seven and indicates a smaller effort. Eight indicates something new, such as the eighth day of circumcision. Three is used frequently in the Torah and in fables, including the three bears and three pigs. I sometimes think that while seven usually ends favorable events, three doesn’t, such as Abraham taking his son Isaac to be sacrificed and nearly does it, only stoped at the last moment by an angel in Genesis 22. The three pigs and bears face difficulties. God tells Moses to have the Israelite males prepare ffor three days for the revelation of the Decalogue. They do but soon thereafter worship the golden calf. I am currently writing a book on the biblical Samson. The number three appears many times in the four biblical chapters. I think it has significance there and I am investigating it.
Hi Yaaqoub Eliyyahu. Tradition says that we pray three times a day because there were three patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). Rabbi Drazin: this may be true, however, didn’t the near-sacrifice of Isaac, called the Akedah, end favorably for Isaac when Abraham was stopped at the last second by an angel?
You are certainly right, as usual, Shmuel, but I was thinkiking of the trauma that Isaac suffered during the experience and the opinion of some, who I do not endorse, that since it does not say in the Bible that Isaac accompanied his dad after the Akeda, he did not accompany him because he was mad at him. Besides, my idea that three sometimes involves an unfavorable experience, is just a thought, not a conclusion. I’m not sure about it.
Regarding biblical miracles.
Spinoza says, “Whatever did really happen happened naturally… Such is the express teaching of Scripture: nowhere does Scripture assert that anything happens which contradicts, or cannot follow from the laws of nature; and, therefore, we should not attribute to it such a doctrine…We may, then, be absolutely certain that every event which is truly described in Scripture necessarily happened, like everything else, according to natural laws.”
In other words, they are natural events. Maimonides also did not believe in miracles.
What is the source for the Midrash that teaches that biblical miracles should be understood figuratively?
Beautifully and properly said, Stephen. As usual,I agree with you.
I do not know of any Midrash that says this. Midrash was written to teach sermons and I doubt such a view would appear in them.
Here is another Spinoza quote which I think is true.
“He who has little knowledge calls the extraordinary events of nature a miracle.” Spinoza
He was correct. As I said in the past, I believe that Spinoza agreed with Maimonides’s teachings but kept his views secret because he recognized as did all Jews in Amsterdam that they need to fear the Christian leadrship of the country who will kill them if they feel the Jewish views threaten Chrisrianity. This is also why Puritins who previously left England left Amsterdam for America.
Important thoughts, dear Rabbi Israel Drazin. Imo, the Talmud, Midrash and the Book of Esther elaborate on three key themes. First, they emphasize the importance of transmitting teachings and the attribution of those teachings to the correct source, symbolizing respect for knowledge and its origin. This is demonstrated in Rabbi Chanina’s teaching that transmitting teachings and attributing their source brings redemption to the world, as Esther did when she revealed a plot to the King Ahaseurus in Mordechai’s name. Second, they highlight the value of personal virtue and morality. An example is the list of characteristics beloved or hated by God: a calm, forgiving, and sober person is loved by God, while a deceitful or harmful person is disliked. Finally, the texts underscore the significance of the study and practice of Torah. Even without a temple or sacrifices, Jews can achieve redemption and forgiveness through diligent and faithful study of the Torah. This idea is displayed in the conversation between Abraham and God, and the obligation of reading scriptures in the synagogue. The Talmud advocates for habitual learning of practical Torah laws and the adherence to Torah guidance in daily life as the way to ensure one’s place in the afterlife. Collectively, these sources encourage continuous learning, integrity, and the pursuant of righteous deeds as the means to attain spiritual upliftment and redemption. Best: stephen
I did not know that Esther is a Persian name. Interestingly, God is not mentioned in Esther. Haman is similar to the word Hamas.
We agree that pious people should not sit back and rely on divine help. God expects people to use their intelligence, learn about the laws of nature and, improve the world. Can’t agree with this more, “God did not save the Jews; Esther used her intelligence and devised a way to save her people.”
What is the source that all biblical books, except the Torah and Esther, will be nullified in the future?
The Talmud says that the deceased are free from mitzvot. Rabbi Yohanan, “Once a person dies, he becomes free from the mitzvot. Rambam, “The deceased are not obligated in any mitzvot.” It means the future resurrected people are free and there is no Torah observance in heaven, like Esther. The mitzvot no longer applies in the messianic age.
Furthermore, the Babylonian Talmud, Nidah 61b, Rabbi Joseph: “The mitzvot [commandments] will be abolished (or nullified) in the time to come.”
The Torah laws can be abolished by a subsequent prophet, providing there is a mass revelation as the regional revelation on Sinai, but the Ten Commandments can never be abolished even if the strict conditions are met. R. Joshua Falk also maintained like that.
We agree, Turk, as usual. I wish I could remember the source for the nullificationin the future. I wrote this essay decades ago. I listed the source in one of my books. I’ll try to find it. I am certain I did not make this up.
Apikorses plain and simple. Mordechai and Esther were indeed Jewish. As for sleeping with the monarch gentile, the Talmud has answers, the most simple being Pikkuach Nefesh.
The MEgillah gives Mordechai’s lineage tracing back to the tribe of Judah and also Benjamin.
How could you be so blatantly ignorant?
You misunderstood what I wrote. I did not say that Esther and Mordechai were not Jewish. I said they had non-Jewish names. I also did not say they purposely decided not to oberve Jewish laws and practices. Jewish sources also recognized, as you do, that they sometimes for various reasons did not follow the Jewish law,such as kashrut and bowing (which is alowed but Modrecai did not want to bow to Haman). My point is, even if they were secular Jews who did not ever observe Torah – a hypothetical, not a decsion on my part – what they did should be respected. They did not sit back and rely on God to save them. They acted, just as we should, to bring about a better world.
No one is saying they weren’t Jewish, but given that they wee Jewish, why did they have names linked to idolatry? Once may be a coincidence, but twice to the two main protagonists must be deliberate in order to each us something important. It might be said, since apparently they were not observant, that their names show that they were half way to becoming pagans. By the way, it can’t have been “Pikkuach Nefesh” when Esther first started spending nights with the King (Chap2). Haman only devised his vile plot afterwards (Chap3). I would like to know the reference in the Jerusalem Talmud, where it states”that all biblical books, except the Five Books of Moses and the Book of Esther, will be nullified in the future” and where in the Talmud and Midrash, does it say, “that there will come a day when all people will realize that they cannot rely on miracles and that the miracles in the biblical books should be understood figuratively”? This is an amazing statement given that many yomtovim refer to the importance of miracles in Torah. It is because of these nuggets that cause me to stop and think about these new unexpected statements that I subscribe to this website and long may it continue
Thank you, Anna, for the blessing to continue for a long time. You are very kind. There is nothing unusual in Jews having non-Jewish names. My son Stephen has a non-Jewish name and a Hebrew name Aharon. The were famous talmudic rabbis who had only non-Jewish names. There were Jewish kings with non-Jewish names. I am positive that there is a source for the quote I gave, but I cannot remember it now. I wrote this essay decades ago. The source is in one of my books. I will find it and let you know. I have always believed that all people, no matter their religion or beliefs, are important to God and must be respected. When I went to Israel with my parents in 1951 and met many famous people and spoke to them, they included Prime Minister David Ben Gurion and Chief Rabbi Herzog. I considered them at the time and still do to have been Jewish heroes, even holy men. (Ofcourse, Ben Gorion made some mistakes. But this does not detract from his greatness. Every biblical person made mistakes as well. We are all human. But the quote is not one of my mistakes.)
This Torah scholar Merely states the truth;
That we should not be passive like other Jews and follow the proper torah that Moses gave us.
To be active in the world and help others and not rely on the Almighty to help us.
The Almighty is no longer involved in this world.
God is not involved because there is no need for His involvement. God is not like the human plumber who needs to return from time to time to fix the sink he installed.
Thank you rabbi.
I agree with you.
God doesn’t need to fix anything
Its up to us humans to fix things if evil occurs in this world. God will not change anything because we’re responsible for this world.
Yes, this is why God gave us intelligence. Maimonides called it “God’s providence,” in simple English, the way God protected us.
What happens if we can’t use intellect?
Doesn’t God make people mentally disabled?
Doesn’t God not nourish his people and keep them dumb?
Doesn’t God guide his people to wisdom?
How are we suppose to overcome Mental disabilities, food starvation, a lack of books in places where there are no good people or books?
This is a problem that disturbed people since ancient times, It is called Theodicy. No good answer has been given, I’d like to think that creation is good but we do not understand all that is created, why what seems terrible happens, but, as I said, I still think that despite our ignorancem all creation is good.
I also agree that God is not like the incompetent plumber who needs to return to fix his prior work. You mentioned Maimonides calling intelligence providence. I agree with that. Christians have confused the term providence to mean God interfering in human affairs.
Providence means God’s government of the universe. The Latin word providentia means foresight, precaution, or foreknowledge. Examples of providence are the tides, the seasons, and the motion of the stars. General providence is God’s sustaining the universe
Special providence means God’s intervention in human affairs.
Spinoza believed in providence but not the second type. He said everything supernatural or miraculous was a wild imagination and God doesn’t suspend natural laws at the will of humans, and that Divine Providence is nothing more than natural laws.
It is neat that you met the Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion. What was he like? Do you remember what you talked about?
I agree with what you wrote, of course. In regard to Ben Gorion, he was very friendly. He told me at age 15 that I should settle in Israel. When I married Dina at age 24, my wife of 64 years, we decidd to settle in Israel. However, when she became pregnant and I could not find a job, we decided to go to the US. There, I attended many schools, aquired many degrees, became a scholar, wrote many books, became an an authority on Targum Onkelos, and a general in the US Army.