Haman and Mordekhai

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  1. And Mordekhai Would Not Bow

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    תאריך פרסום: תשע"ב | |

    Mordekhai's refusal to prostrate before Haman is the key to the plot of the Megilah - if he doesn't refuse, there is no decree, no Purim - and no Megilat Esther. Yet Mordekhai's actions are enigmatic and appear to have no justification. We will explore the various suggestions raised over the millenia to explain his refusal - and suggest another one. 

  2. The Gallows

    Prof. Jonathan Grossman

    Death by hanging is a punishment for treason. Haman, who is charged with the safety of the king, plots to accuse Mordekhai of treason, unaware that Mordekhai is "immune" to such accusations, while the king begins to suspect that Haman himself is plotting against him.

  3. Mordekhai is Led on Horseback

    Prof. Jonathan Grossman

    What is the purpose of the story about Mordekhai being led on the horse? We will suggest various interpretations, and show that the narrative is the center of the story, marking the reversal of the plot. The biblical allusion to Halitza suggests an ironic reading of the sentence "Thus shall be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor."

  4. Mordekhai in Haman's House, and Esther Goes Before the King Again

    Prof. Jonathan Grossman

    Mordekhai is put in charge of Haman's house, and provided with access to Haman's plans to destroy the Jews. This lesson examines Esther's request from Ahashverosh: the wording of her request is compared to the phrasing used by the woman in Song of Songs and to the story of Yehuda.

  5. Amalek and Esther

    Elisheva Brauner

  6. Esther's Brilliant Plan

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom | Hour and 3 minutes

    What do the first two chapters of Megillat Esther add to the story? Why do we need this seemingly unimportant background to the Purim story? Through a close examination of the first few chapters of the megillah, we notice that these chapters provide us with important psychological profiles of the main characters – Achashverosh, Esther, and Haman. It is based on these character descriptions that we can understand Esther’s plan- playing into their psychological weaknesses in order to ultimately save the Jewish nation.