Megilah I
When we step out of our day-school classroom Esther is odd relative to the other books in the Bible. There is no historical context, no timeline, no wars, lots of large parties. There are more descriptions of clothing and food then of the content of the parties. It's like listening to the tabloid reporters outside the Oscars. The exaggerations of the storyline: "A party for 180 days..." You mean to tell us that all the leaders of the world (Hodu to Kush) ignored their countries for half a year?!?
Consider the following idea: The megilah was written as a satire. A farce. A comedy.
Consider the following scene. After his accession to power in October 485 BC, in 483 BC Xerces goes to war with Greece taking 6 million people with him. The is the 3rd year of his reign. Sounds familiar? Prior to the war he holds council with his trusted advisers. 13 The king conferred with the sages, those knowledgeable of the times for this was the king's custom, to [bring such matters] before those who were versed in every law and statute. 14 Those closest to him were Carshina, Sheitar, Admata, Tarshish, Meress, Marsina and Memuchan. These were the seven ministers of Persia and Media, who had access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom. And what was asked of the wise councilmen?
"What should I do about my wife?" Right. Surely you jest.
We see this again towards the end of the story. Xerces goes to war with Greece and looses. What is recorded? King Achashverosh levied a tax upon the mainland and the islands of the sea. 2 And the entire history of his power and strength, ... are recorded in the Book of Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia.
Right. Power and strength. He lost!! Nu. We won't say it outright.
Thoughts?
Consider the following idea: The megilah was written as a satire. A farce. A comedy.
Consider the following scene. After his accession to power in October 485 BC, in 483 BC Xerces goes to war with Greece taking 6 million people with him. The is the 3rd year of his reign. Sounds familiar? Prior to the war he holds council with his trusted advisers. 13 The king conferred with the sages, those knowledgeable of the times for this was the king's custom, to [bring such matters] before those who were versed in every law and statute. 14 Those closest to him were Carshina, Sheitar, Admata, Tarshish, Meress, Marsina and Memuchan. These were the seven ministers of Persia and Media, who had access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom. And what was asked of the wise councilmen?
"What should I do about my wife?" Right. Surely you jest.
We see this again towards the end of the story. Xerces goes to war with Greece and looses. What is recorded? King Achashverosh levied a tax upon the mainland and the islands of the sea. 2 And the entire history of his power and strength, ... are recorded in the Book of Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia.
Right. Power and strength. He lost!! Nu. We won't say it outright.
Thoughts?
posted by YS @ 10:37 לפנה״צ
A blog is a writer clearing junk out of his head by bouncing around the room of chipmunks that we call society.
3 Comments:
Eh. Not buying it... I don't think that satire of that time was similar to now, nor what would be the point in the rest of the story. But then again, maybe your post itself is satirical.
Using satire as a starting point does give everything a different slant.
Explains why the character names are persian gods among other things.
the divine element remains conspicuously absent, the kings his drinking problem (1:10) and other character flaws all underscore and mock his corruption engendered by his absolute power.
It's a thought.
Granted, but it's an overdone satire at best, then. Too strange and not quite satirical enough to make such an elaborate story, no?
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