How Did Esther Conceal Her Nationality/2

How Did Esther Conceal Her Nationality?

Exegetical Approaches

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Until the Banquet

Relationship to Mordechai Was Unknown

They did not know Esther was taken from Mordechai's house.

Esther Was Adopted

They knew Esther was taken from Mordechai's house but thought she was adopted.

Mordechai's Identity Was Unknown

They knew Esther was related to Mordechai but did not know he was Jeiwsh

Until She Became Queen

Never Concealed

Sources:Akeidat YitzchakEsther 2:10About R. Yitzchak Arama

Relationship With Mordechai Unknown

Esther's relationship with Mordechai was totally unknown or her family connection with Mordechai was hidden.

Sources:R. Saadia GaonEsther 2:8-11About R. Saadia Gaon, R. Yosef NachmiasEsther 2:8About R. Yosef Nachmias, Akeidat Yitzchak #1Esther 2:10About R. Yitzchak Arama

Why Conceal Esther's Religious Identity?

Did Esther keep Mitzvot?

Esther's religious identity

Achashverosh's shock and fury

When was it known that Mordechai was Jewish?

"מׇרְדֳּכַי מִתְהַלֵּךְ לִפְנֵי חֲצַר בֵּית הַנָּשִׁים"

"וַתֹּאמֶר אֶסְתֵּר לַמֶּלֶךְ בְּשֵׁם מׇרְדֳּכָי"

The Jews of Shushan

Esther's servants

"כִּי הִגִּידָה אֶסְתֵּר מַה הוּא לָהּ"

Esther Did Not Conceal Her Identity

Esther was not hiding that she was Jewish.

Sources:Midrash Panim AcherotVersion B 2:10Version B 2:20About Midrash Panim Acherot, Yalkut ShimoniEsther 1053About Yalkut Shimoni, RashiEsther 2:10About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RidEsther 2:10About R. Yeshayah of Trani, Akeidat Yitzchak #2Esther 2:10About R. Yitzchak Arama

Why Conceal Esther's Religious Identity?

Did Esther keep Mitzvot?

Esther's religious identity

Achashverosh's shock and fury

When was it known that Mordechai was Jewish?

"מׇרְדֳּכַי מִתְהַלֵּךְ לִפְנֵי חֲצַר בֵּית הַנָּשִׁים"

"וַתֹּאמֶר אֶסְתֵּר לַמֶּלֶךְ בְּשֵׁם מׇרְדֳּכָי"

The Jews of Shushan

Esther's servants

"כִּי הִגִּידָה אֶסְתֵּר מַה הוּא לָהּ"