Achashverosh's Shock and Fury/1
Achashverosh's Surprise
Introduction
Why So Shocked?
Chapter Seven of Megillat Esther contains one of the most dramatic scenes of the Megillah. Esther pleas for her life and that of her nation, finally revealing her identity and exposing Haman's plot to the king. Achashverosh responds with shock, asking "מִי הוּא זֶה וְאֵי זֶה הוּא" – who is the one who conceived of such a plan? Upon hearing that Haman is the mastermind, Achashverosh leaves the room in a fury.
How is one to understand the king's surprised reaction? How could he not have known of Haman's involvement? After all, it was only a mere few days earlier that he gave his approval for the plan, and even if the king had been previously unaware that Esther was a potential victim, he still should have known that Haman was the plan's architect! Moreover, considering that he himself had acquiesced, why is Achashverosh so angry at Haman?
Esther's Plea
Esther's plea is similarly perplexing. At first glance, it seems as if she is simply begging for mercy on the part of the king, hoping he will spare her and her nation. If so though, one wonders why she does so at a party to which she has also invited Haman! Moreover, though the king might have a personal interest in keeping her alive, if he truly wanted to annihilate her nation, why does she think that her begging will lead him to reverse the edict rather than simply save her? Finally, why does she mention the potential alternative of being sold into slavery; how does this strengthen her argument?
Haman's request of the King
A full understanding of Achashverosh and Esther's conversation requires us to return to Haman's original request to annihilate the Jewish nation:
(ח) וַיֹּאמֶר הָמָן לַמֶּלֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ יֶשְׁנוֹ עַם אֶחָד מְפֻזָּר וּמְפֹרָד בֵּין הָעַמִּים בְּכֹל מְדִינוֹת מַלְכוּתֶךָ וְדָתֵיהֶם שֹׁנוֹת מִכׇּל עָם וְאֶת דָּתֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ אֵינָם עֹשִׂים וְלַמֶּלֶךְ אֵין שֹׁוֶה לְהַנִּיחָם. (ט) אִם עַל הַמֶּלֶךְ טוֹב יִכָּתֵב לְאַבְּדָם וַעֲשֶׂרֶת אֲלָפִים כִּכַּר כֶּסֶף אֶשְׁקוֹל עַל יְדֵי עֹשֵׂי הַמְּלָאכָה לְהָבִיא אֶל גִּנְזֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ. (י) וַיָּסַר הַמֶּלֶךְ אֶת טַבַּעְתּוֹ מֵעַל יָדוֹ וַיִּתְּנָהּ לְהָמָן בֶּן הַמְּדָתָא הָאֲגָגִי צֹרֵר הַיְּהוּדִים. (יא) וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ לְהָמָן הַכֶּסֶף נָתוּן לָךְ וְהָעָם לַעֲשׂוֹת בּוֹ כַּטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ
(8)
These verses raise a number of issues:
- "יֶשְׁנוֹ עַם אֶחָד" – Haman never explicitly mentions the Jewish nation by name; was it obvious about whom he was speaking or is it possible that Achashverosh was unaware?
- "יִכָּתֵב לְאַבְּדָם" – Haman gives just one sentence of explanation as to why the king should kill off the nation, speaking of how they differ from others and do not abide by the king's laws. Was this really sufficient discussion to lead a king to approve of a plan of annihilation?
- "וַעֲשֶׂרֶת אֲלָפִים כִּכַּר כֶּסֶף אֶשְׁקוֹל" – How is one to understand this offer of money? Is this a bribe to the king, revenues from the decimation, or compensation for the loss of lives?
- Handing over the ring – As Achashverosh gives Haman his signet ring, he says that the money is his "וְהָעָם לַעֲשׂוֹת בּוֹ כַּטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ". These actions suggest that Achashverosh approved of Haman's plot. Do they also suggest that Haman had free reign in all areas thereof or were there limitations?
