Difference between revisions of "Achashverosh's Shock and Fury/2"
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<li>Alternatively, Achashverosh was angry due to earlier incidents.  When Haman had previously suggested that the king's "desired one" be robed in the king's garments and ride on the royal horse, he became suspicious that Haman aspired to rule in his stead, interpreting his words as evidence of his hopes to be king.<fn>See <multilink><a href="FirstTargumofMegillatEsther7-6" data-aht="source">First Targum of Megillat Esther</a><a href="FirstTargumofMegillatEsther7-6" data-aht="source">7:6</a><a href="First Targum of Megillat Esther" data-aht="parshan">About First Targum of Megillat Esther</a></multilink> who suggests that Esther even alluded to this fact when she referred to Haman as "אִישׁ צַר וְאוֹיֵב הָמָן הָרָע הַזֶּה ".</fn> See the <multilink><a href="SecondTargumofMegillatEsther6-1" data-aht="source">Second Targum of Megillat Esther</a><a href="SecondTargumofMegillatEsther6-1" data-aht="source">6:1</a><a href="Second Targum of Megillat Esther" data-aht="parshan">About Second Targum of Megillat Esther</a></multilink>  which suggests that this suspicion is what kept Achashverosh up the night before.</li> | <li>Alternatively, Achashverosh was angry due to earlier incidents.  When Haman had previously suggested that the king's "desired one" be robed in the king's garments and ride on the royal horse, he became suspicious that Haman aspired to rule in his stead, interpreting his words as evidence of his hopes to be king.<fn>See <multilink><a href="FirstTargumofMegillatEsther7-6" data-aht="source">First Targum of Megillat Esther</a><a href="FirstTargumofMegillatEsther7-6" data-aht="source">7:6</a><a href="First Targum of Megillat Esther" data-aht="parshan">About First Targum of Megillat Esther</a></multilink> who suggests that Esther even alluded to this fact when she referred to Haman as "אִישׁ צַר וְאוֹיֵב הָמָן הָרָע הַזֶּה ".</fn> See the <multilink><a href="SecondTargumofMegillatEsther6-1" data-aht="source">Second Targum of Megillat Esther</a><a href="SecondTargumofMegillatEsther6-1" data-aht="source">6:1</a><a href="Second Targum of Megillat Esther" data-aht="parshan">About Second Targum of Megillat Esther</a></multilink>  which suggests that this suspicion is what kept Achashverosh up the night before.</li> | ||
</ul></point> | </ul></point> | ||
| − | <point><b>Esther's tactics</b> – This approach might suggest, like R. Eliezer HaModai in  <multilink><a href="BavliMegillah15b" data-aht="source">Bavli Megillah<fn>See also R. | + | <point><b>Esther's tactics</b> – This approach might suggest, like R. Eliezer HaModai in  <multilink><a href="BavliMegillah15b" data-aht="source">Bavli Megillah</a>,<fn>See also R. Yehoshua b. Korcha there as understood by Rashi.  Later sources such as the <multilink data-aht="<a href="MidrashPanimAcherotNusachB-5" data-aht="source">Nusach B:5</a><a href="Midrash Panim Acherot" data-aht="parshan">About Midrash Panim Acherot</a>"><a href="MidrashPanimAcherotNusachB-5" data-aht="source">Midrash Panim Acherot</a></multilink> elaborate on Esther's specific tactics whereby she aroused the king's jealousy.  See also <multilink data-aht="<a href="LekachTovEsther5-76-1" data-aht="source">Esther 5:7, 6:1</a><a href="R. Toviah b. Eliezer (Lekach Tov)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Toviah b. Eliezer</a>"><a href="LekachTovEsther5-76-1" data-aht="source">Lekach Tov</a></multilink> who suggests that the kings sleep was disturbed since he was plagued by this jealousy.</fn><a class="ahtNonEditable" href="#fn29">29</a><a href="BavliMegillah15b" data-aht="source">15b</a></multilink>  that Esther tried to make the king jealous of Haman,  raising his doubts that Haman might desire the queen. Thus, rather than make an intimate party for two, she invited Haman as a third wheel.  Haman's falling on her bed to plea for his life played perfectly into her plan.  This reinforced Achashverosh's previous worries, leading to the conclusion that Haman was actively rebelling, wanting both the crown and accompanying queen.</point> |
<point><b>Honoring Mordecahi</b> – It is possible that Achshevrosh was unaware that Mordechai was Jewish.  The Chronicles did not mention the fact and Achshverosh had no reason to ask.  Thus, he saw no hypocrisy in his actions and no reason to question the original decree.</point> | <point><b>Honoring Mordecahi</b> – It is possible that Achshevrosh was unaware that Mordechai was Jewish.  The Chronicles did not mention the fact and Achshverosh had no reason to ask.  Thus, he saw no hypocrisy in his actions and no reason to question the original decree.</point> | ||
<point><b>Why hanging?</b> In Achashverosh's eyes, Haman was considered a rebel who wanted his throne; hanging was thus the appropriate punishment.</point> | <point><b>Why hanging?</b> In Achashverosh's eyes, Haman was considered a rebel who wanted his throne; hanging was thus the appropriate punishment.</point> | ||
Version as of 12:53, 11 February 2015
Fatal 38: Unescaped '<' not allowed in attributes values
71: <point><b>Esther's tactics</b> – This approach might suggest, like R. Eliezer HaModai in  <multilink><a href="BavliMegillah15b" data-aht="source">Bavli Megillah</a>,<fn>See also R. Yehoshua b. Korcha there as understood by Rashi.  Later sources such as the <multilink data-aht="<a href="MidrashPanimAcherotNusachB-5" data-aht="source">Nusach B:5</a><a href="Midrash Panim Acherot" data-aht="parshan">About Midrash Panim Acherot</a>"><a href="MidrashPanimAcherotNusachB-5" data-aht="source">Midrash Panim Acherot</a></multilink> elaborate on Esther's specific tactics whereby she aroused the king's jealousy.  See also <multilink data-aht="<a href="LekachTovEsther5-76-1" data-aht="source">Esther 5:7, 6:1</a><a href="R. Toviah b. Eliezer (Lekach Tov)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Toviah b. Eliezer</a>"><a href="LekachTovEsther5-76-1" data-aht="source">Lekach Tov</a></multilink> who suggests that the kings sleep was disturbed since he was plagued by this jealousy.</fn><a class="ahtNonEditable" href="#fn29">29</a><a href="BavliMegillah15b" data-aht="source">15b</a></multilink>  that Esther tried to make the king jealous of Haman,  raising his doubts that Haman might desire the queen. Thus, rather than make an intimate party for two, she invited Haman as a third wheel.  Haman's falling on her bed to plea for his life played perfectly into her plan.  This reinforced Achashverosh's previous worries, leading to the conclusion that Haman was actively rebelling, wanting both the crown and accompanying queen.</point>