♀ Feminist Friday ♀ Queen Esther Esther, born as Hadassah,..
Added 2024-01-05 12:00:18 +0000 UTC♀ Feminist Friday ♀ Queen Esther Esther, born as Hadassah, was a Jewish woman living in Persia during the 5th century BCE. The exact dates of her birth and early life events are not precisely recorded, but her story begins to unfold in the biblical Book of Esther. After the Persian King Ahasuerus deposed his queen, Vashti, for disobedience, he sought a new queen. Esther, known for her stunning beauty and humble spirit, was brought to the palace among many women. Despite her Jewish identity, which she kept hidden, Esther found favor in the king’s eyes and was crowned queen, a pivotal moment that occurred around 479 BCE. Esther's cousin and guardian, Mordecai, soon uncovered a plot by Haman, a high-ranking official offended by Mordecai's refusal to bow to him, to annihilate the Jewish people. Mordecai urged Esther to use her position to intervene. This placed Esther in a precarious position, as approaching the king uninvited could lead to her death. The decision to act was fraught with danger, but Esther's bravery shone through. She requested the Jewish people to fast and pray for three days before she approached the king. Then, in a masterful display of tact and wisdom, she invited King Ahasuerus and Haman to a series of banquets. It was at the second banquet, around 473 BCE, that Esther revealed her Jewish identity and Haman’s plot to the king. The decision to act was fraught with danger, but Esther requested the Jewish people to fast and pray for three days before she approached the king. Then, in a masterful display of tact and wisdom, she invited King Ahasuerus and Haman to a series of banquets. It was at the second banquet, around 473 BCE, that Esther revealed her Jewish identity and Haman’s plot to the king. Moved by Esther’s bravery and shocked by Haman’s treachery, King Ahasuerus ordered Haman to be executed and issued a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies. This act of heroism by Esther not only saved her people but also demonstrated the power and influence a woman could exert in a male-dominated society.
