[HANASHIR:5336] Re: megillat esther

[Jaugshir <Jaugshir...>]

I found a lovely book "Listen to Her Voice" by Miki Raver.  It has the 
stories of 18 women from the Bible with Miki Raver's reduced sexist version 
translation and commentary.  Esther is one of the women.

Also, in choosing a piece of the story to chant for our upcoming Rosh Chodesh 
celebration, I learned something about Esther for myself.  I have always had 
trouble with her as a heroine and role-model.  I saw her as an air-headed 
beauty that didn't really have much substance.  In chapter 4:13-14 she 
matures.  She tells Mordachai that she doesn't want to go to the king, that 
it will be dangerous.  He tells her if she doesn't do it, then the Jews will 
be saved some other way, but she can't hide, she will be caught and her 
family will be killed.  She decides to grow up and do what needs to be done, 
even though she is scared and doesn't want to.  I decided that that message, 
at least, in this story is worth listening to.

Judith Golden
Congregation Solel
jaugshir (at) aol(dot)com

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