Ahashverosh's Feast

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1. Timeframe and Chronology

   Chapter 1

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   The story of Esther could begin with Haman's edict in chapter 3; the decision to begin the story with Ahashverosh's feasts and the choosing of Esther conveys the message that God puts a cure in place before the disease is inflicted, providing important information about the Jews of Shushan and King Ahashverosh that will enable a resolution of the problem.

2. The Feast of Achashverosh and the Feast of Vashti

   Chapter 1

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   A close reading of the story of Ahashverosh's feasts demonstrates that the author is mocking Ahashverosh, the seemingly generous king. Vashti's refusal to come before the king probably stemmed from her intimate knowledge with the permissive atmosphere in such feasts. The book compares Vashti's refusal with Joseph's refusal of Potiphar's wife.

3. Purim Special - The Culture of Shushan

   Cultural and Historical Challenges of the Megilla Story

   Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 54 minutes

   In this shiur, we analyze two layers of the story of Megillat Esther: Events didn't occur in a vacuum, but as part of cultural struggles and historical challenges.  As we examine the historical and cultural contexts of the story, we find that there is structure to the megilla supported by the numerous feasts in the story. These parties become an icon for a problematic type of multiculturalism: Shushan lacks a shared ethic or value system, so it unites in valuing and celebrating money and the power of wealth above all else. The overlooked letter-carriers in the Megilla help to highlight the flaws of this misplaced value system. 
    

4. …and Made a Banquet

   Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky