Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies

Megillat Esther

Question

Dear Rabbi,

I discovered something illogical: after the ten sons of Haman were killed on the first day, Esther asks the king to be allowed to execute them on the second day. It' confusing, especially because so many things in this megilla are not what they seem to be, etc.etc. What is hidden there?

Answer

If you read the text carefully in Hebrew, in chapter 9 verse 10 states that the sons of Haman were killed. In verse 13 Esther asks the King to hang them (the bodies) on a tree, which is done in verse 14. As cruel as it seems, and although it goes against Jewish law, this is the simple meaning. Rachi in his commentary, states this as well. I do not think any thing is hidden here, I see it as a popular exaggeration of the Jewish revenge.
This is how I understand it.

Rabbi Monique Susskind Goldberg
April 2005