Why Conceal Esther's Nationality/2

Concealing Esther's Religious Identity

Exegetical Approaches

Personal Gain

Sources:RashbamEsther 2:10Esther 2:19-20About R. Shemuel b. Meir, R. Yosef KaraEsther Version A 2:10Esther Version B 2:10About R. Yosef Kara, 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

אֶת עַמָּהּ וְאֶת מוֹלַדְתָּהּ – What did Esther not tell?

Until when did Esther not tell?

Was Esther taken by force?

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?

Until when did Esther not tell?

Was Esther taken by force?

Enable Torah Observance

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