Who Was Queen Esther?
Mentioned in the Book of Esther within the section Ketuvim of the Hebrew Bible, Queen Esther is best known for saving the Jewish people from destruction in ancient Persia between 483 BCE and 473 BC during the reign of King Ahasuerus, mirrored with the real-life Persian King, Xerxes I.
Living 2,500 years ago in the Persian capital of Susa, Esther was a Jewish woman who became Queen in 478 BC, corresponding to the seventh year of the reign of Ahasuerus, to whom she revealed her Jewish identity to expose the genocidal plot of Haman, who wanted to kill all the Jewish people living in the Persian Empire.
Queen Esther’s bravery led to the Jewish people being saved, in what has become known as the Jewish festival of Purim.
The holiday began in the 2nd century BCE in 2 Maccabees 15:36, which calls it “Mordecai’s Day,” and celebrates the survival of the Jewish people from Haman’s planned genocide.
Today, Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar and is celebrated with adults and children dressing up, while also eating pastries known as hamantaschen, which are shaped like Haman’s hats.
Meanwhile, Queen Esther’s significance in Judaism is celebrated as a basis of leadership, faith, and self-sacrifice, embodying the idea that people can make a difference to save their people.
The “Esther Moment” has become widespread through the Jewish community as leaders, authors, and advocates invoke Esther as a call to action to speak out against antisemitism.
Overall, Queen Esther’s impact has shaped the Jewish values of courage and advocacy when it comes to revealing one's true self.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What was Queen Esther’s Original Name?
Her original name was Hadassah, meaning myrtle in Hebrew, while Esther is a Persian name meaning “star” or “hidden.”
2) How did Esther become Queen?
King Ahasuerus banished his previous queen, Vashti, after she refused to obey his command. A kingdom-wide search for a new queen brought Esther into the royal harem at Susa, where she won favor with the palace keeper, Hegai, and the king.
3) How is Queen Esther commemorated?
The deliverance of the Jews is celebrated annually on the holiday of Purim and is observed on the day immediately preceding Purim to mirror Esther’s preparatory fast.
Why it matters
Queen Esther used her position as queen to save the Jewish people from destruction in ancient Persia, making her a symbol of faith and bravery in Judaism.
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