The
story of the Persians planned massacre of Jews and the Jews role in eliminating their enemies in
advance offers several possible avenues of interpretation. Esther was chosen as queen in part
because, as advised by Mordecai, she kept her Jewish faith a secret. She uses her influence on
King Ahasuerusin in a concerted effort to have all the Jews lives spared after Hanan plans for
widespread massacre. Her naming Haman as the instigator of the plot in part results in him
getting killed. She convinces the king of Mordecais importance and good counsel. Along with
placing Mordecai in the role of his advisor, the king also invests considerable decision-making
authority in him and Esther.
Ordering that all the Jews enemies be put to
death would have been an exact, mirror-image plan to what Haman had in store for them. Instead,
the cousins take positive steps to improve the Jews social position and ensure their religious
rights. They also place considerable power into the hands of individuals, who may defend
themselves and kill those who directly menace them. The leeway in interpreting that order leads
to the deaths of many thousands of people. However, the story emphasizes the protective aspect
of these killings, and the idea that personal gainsuch as the seizing of goods and property of
the deadwas not the primary motivation for the violence.
There are several
possibilities for interpretation. The possible lessons includes the specific role of Esther, in
bending the law to approach and influence the king, as well as ways to evaluate both the
defensive and the offensive positions that Esther and Mordecai apparently advocated. Some people
will emphasize the message of advocating for religious tolerance and for the rights that had
previously been denied to Jews. Others will emphasize the rights of people living under threat
of violence to engage in pre-emptive strikes before the enemy has a chance to
act.
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