Why Conceal Esther's Nationality/2

Concealing Esther's Religious Identity

Exegetical Approaches

Personal Gain

Sources:R. Yosef KaraEsther Version A 2:10Esther Version B 2:10About R. Yosef Kara, RashbamEsther 2:10Esther 2:19-20About R. Shemuel b. Meir, first opinion cited in Ibn EzraEsther Version A 2:9Esther Version B 2:10About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, Northern French CommentaryEsther 2:10About Northern French Commentary, opinion cited by R. Avigdor Kohen TzedekEsther 2:10About R. Avigdor Kohen Tzedek, R. Y"S ReggioEsther pp. 7-8About R. Yitzchak Shemuel Reggio

Esther and Mordechai's religious identity – Most of the commentators do not address the question but R. Y"S Reggio points out that Mordechai and Esther do not seem overly concerned with observing the commandments.  Thus, Mordechai never warns Esther to uphold belief in one God and reject Persian polytheism, nor to try and keep the laws of kashrut.  Instead, he does all in his power to get her to become queen, despite the fact that it will make observance more difficult.

אֶת עַמָּהּ וְאֶת מוֹלַדְתָּהּ – What did Esther not tell? According to most of these exegetes Esther hid her Jewish identity since the Jewish nation was degraded in the eyes of the Persians.  The opinion brought in Ibn Ezra and Reggio, emphasize instead that she was to conceal the fact that she came from exile since this, rather than her Jewsih roots, was the a potential source of humiliation.¹

Until when did Esther not tell?

Was Esther taken by force?

Achashverosh's Attitude Towards Jews

Revealing the secret

Religious Observance

Avoid Becoming Queen

Sources:RashiEsther 2:10About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RidEsther 2:10Esther 2:19-21About R. Yeshayah of Trani

Esther and Mordechai's religious identity

אֶת עַמָּהּ וְאֶת מוֹלַדְתָּהּ – What did Esther not tell?

Why did Esther not tell after she was chosen?

Was Esther taken by force?

Achashverosh's Attitude Towards Jews

Enable Torah Observance

Sources:Ibn EzraEsther Version A 2:9Esther Version B 2:10About R. Avraham ibn Ezra's own opinion, Akeidat Yitzchak #1Esther 2:10About R. Yitzchak Arama

Esther and Mordechai's religious identity

אֶת עַמָּהּ וְאֶת מוֹלַדְתָּהּ – What did Esther not tell?

Until when did Esther not tell?

Was Esther taken by force?

National Interests

Agent of Salvation

Sources:Lekach TovEsther 2:10About R. Toviah b. Eliezer, R. Elazar HaRokeach #2Esther 2:10About R. Elazar HaRokeach, second opinion cited in Ibn EzraEsther Version A 2:9About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, RalbagEsther 2:10Esther 2 Toelet 15About R. Levi b. Gershom

Decreased Danger

Sources:Second Targum of Megillat Esther2:10About Second Targum of Megillat Esther, Midrash Panim Acherot #2Version B 2:10Version B 2:20About Midrash Panim Acherot, Yalkut Shimoni #2Esther 1053About Yalkut Shimoni

¹ In fact, Reggio asserts that Achashverosh had nothing against the Jewish nation, and never knowingly agreed to their annihilation.  Haman purposefully hid thier identity when sharing his plan of decimation since he knew that the king did not view them negatively and would not have agreed. For elaboration, see Achashverosh's Surprise.