{"id":34783,"date":"2013-02-17T00:24:34","date_gmt":"2013-02-17T00:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ou.org\/holidays\/?p=34783"},"modified":"2016-09-19T06:37:01","modified_gmt":"2016-09-19T06:37:01","slug":"lessons-from-achashverosh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/holidays\/lessons-from-achashverosh\/","title":{"rendered":"Lessons from Achashverosh"},"content":{"rendered":"

And it was in the days of Achashverosh \u2013 the Achashverosh who ruled from Hodu to Kush \u2013 one hundred and twenty provinces. (Megilat Esther 1:1)<\/em><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 The messages of the Megilah story<\/strong><\/p>\n

The story related in Megilat Esther is constructed around the interplay between four personalities.\u00a0 Mordechai and Esther are the hero and heroine of the narrative.\u00a0 Haman is villain.\u00a0 Achashverosh is somewhat of an enigma.\u00a0 He is initially deftly manipulated by Haman, but later he emerges as the protector of the Jewish people.\u00a0 In other words, Achashverosh seems to be a passive figure in the narrative.\u00a0 Rather than initiating action, he is acted upon by others.\u00a0 Given this role, it would be expected for the Megilah to give him scant attention.\u00a0 Yet, the Megilah lavishes its attention upon Achashverosh and devotes the entire first chapter to developing a portrait of his personality.<\/p>\n

According to the Talmud, the events described Megilah had a significant impact upon the attitudes of the Jewish people.\u00a0 Their experiences during the events, portrayed in the Megilah, provided compelling evidence of Hashem\u2019s ongoing providential relationship with the Jewish people.\u00a0 In addition, the events provided a moving lesson regarding human behavior and its consequences.\u00a0 They observed two powerful figures \u2013 Achashverosh and Haman \u2013 trapped by the failings of their own personalities.\u00a0 Their observations of these two personalities provided an object-lesson in the consequences of blind pursuit of honor and power or self-indulgent pleasure.\u00a0 Therefore, the Megilah does not only include a description of events unfolding according to the irresistible plan of providence.\u00a0 It also explores the behaviors, attitudes, and personalities of the main characters.\u00a0 This biographical component is designed to communicate the rewards of virtue and the consequences of evil and corruption.1<\/sup><\/a> The first character sketch in the Megilah is of the king \u2013 Achashverosh.\u00a0 In the following discussion, a few aspects of that sketch will be explored.<\/p>\n

In the third year of his reign, he made a party for all of his ministers and servants, the army of Paras and Madai, the nobility and the ministers of the provinces, before him.\u00a0 (Megilat Esther 1:3)<\/em><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Achashverosh\u2019s celebration provides insight into his character<\/strong><\/p>\n

Megilat Esther begins with a description of the celebration convened by Achashverosh in the third year of his ascent to the throne.\u00a0 This celebration ultimately led to a confrontation between Achashverosh and his queen, Vashti.\u00a0 Her defiance of the king resulted in her removal from the throne.\u00a0 This created the opportunity for Esther to replace Vashti as queen.\u00a0 In other words, Achashverosh\u2019s celebration played an important role in the events that are described in the Megilah.\u00a0 Nonetheless, the reason that the Megilah devotes so much attention to the celebration is not evident from the text.\u00a0 It would seem adequate for the Megilah to explain that Vashti was deposed as a consequence of a dispute with the king and that Achashverosh, in response to his loneliness, sought out a new consort.\u00a0 Why does the Megilah devote so much attention to Achashverosh\u2019s celebration?\u00a0 Apparently, the details of celebration and the events that occurred there provide a revealing portrait of Achashverosh\u2019s personality and his failings.<\/p>\n

There, he displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty, many days \u2013 one hundred and eighty days.\u00a0 When these days were completed, the king made a feast for all of the people that were present in Shushan the castle, both great and minor people, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.\u00a0 (Megilat Esther 1:4-5)<\/em><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The strange design of Achashverosh\u2019s celebration<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Megilah explains that Achashverosh\u2019s celebration was composed to two separate feasts.\u00a0 The first was conducted for a period of 180 days.\u00a0 All of the dignitaries, ministers, and nobility were invited to this fete.\u00a0 The second feast was held for seven days.\u00a0 At this party, Achashverosh hosted the entire population of Shushan.\u00a0 Even the most common citizens were invited to attend.\u00a0 What was the purpose of Achashverosh\u2019s celebration and why did he create two events?<\/p>\n

In discussing the first celebration, the Megilah explains that Achashverosh wished to display his wealth and glory. This objective becomes very meaningful when considered in the context of a comment by Rashi.\u00a0 Rashi explains that the celebration was occasioned by Achashverosh\u2019s consolidation of power and authority.2<\/sup><\/a> Apparently, Achashverosh felt it necessary to impress upon the leaders, ministers, nobility, and the bureaucracy of his extended kingdom that he was now firmly in control and that he was the absolute monarch of the realm.<\/p>\n

This explains Achashverosh\u2019s motives for convening the first feast.\u00a0 Why did he follow this 180-day fete with a second feast on behalf of the citizens of Shushan?<\/p>\n

And they gave them drink in vessels of gold \u2013 vessels of diverse types \u2013 and the royal wine was abundant, according to the bounty of the king.\u00a0 The drinking was according to the instruction; no one was compelled.\u00a0 For so the king had directed to all the administrators of his household, that they should do according to every man’s desire.\u00a0 (Megilat Esther 1:7-8)<\/em><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Achashverosh\u2019s dual objectives and their relationship to one another<\/strong><\/p>\n

In describing the second party, the Megilah explains that the participants were served wine in vessels of gold of diverse styles.\u00a0 An unlimited quantity of drink was made available to the guests.\u00a0 Then, the Megilah adds that Achashverosh instructed his household servants to carefully respect the preferences of his guests.\u00a0 Every guest was to be given as much wine as he wished.\u00a0 No one was to be denied the opportunity to fully indulge his appetite for drink and no one was to be forced to drink more than he wished.\u00a0 Rashi explains the importance of this instruction and its intention.\u00a0 At many parties, guests are required to drink cup after cup of wine as a courtesy to the host.3<\/sup><\/a> Achashverosh specifically instructed his staff to not create such an expectation.\u00a0 Achashverosh wanted his guests to truly enjoy themselves.\u00a0 He did not want their enjoyment to be marred by the necessities of protocol or social custom.\u00a0 Each guest was free to conduct himself \u2013 in regards to drink \u2013 as he pleased, free from the imposition of protocol or custom.<\/p>\n

This suggests that Achashverosh had a second objective in creating his celebration.\u00a0 He wished to create a party in which the participants would be encouraged to fully indulge their desires free of social protocol or restrictive custom.\u00a0 This objective was achieved in the second feast.\u00a0 This party was a hedonistic experience.<\/p>\n

In short, each of the two component feasts of the celebration had its own purpose.\u00a0 The first fete was designed to impress upon the political and social leadership of the kingdom that Achashverosh was their supreme and absolute ruler.\u00a0 The second component focused on pure pleasure, unfettered by social protocol.\u00a0 However, the identification of the objectives of each component feast does not completely explain Achashverosh\u2019s plan.\u00a0 Why could the two objectives not be combined in a single feast?\u00a0 Why did each feast with its unique objective also have its unique guest list?<\/p>\n

In order to understand the odd structure of Achashverosh\u2019s celebration, it is necessary to know more about his background.\u00a0 The Sages explain that Achashverosh was not the scion of noble lineage.\u00a0 He was a commoner who rose to power and deposed the royal family.\u00a0 This insight adds a dimension to the purpose of the first party.\u00a0 For 180 days Achashverosh hosted the leadership, royalty, and bureaucracy of his vast kingdom.\u00a0 He asserted his authority.\u00a0 The common people of Shushan were not included among the invited guests to this affair.\u00a0 Achashverosh did not need to impress the commoners.\u00a0 He did not need to assert his power over or demonstrate his authority to the plebeian class of Shushan.\u00a0 However, after the first feast ended, he immediately convened a party for the common people of Shushan.\u00a0 What does this reveal about Achashverosh?<\/p>\n

Apparently, the second party was Achashverosh\u2019s response to the first affair.\u00a0 For 180 days he had been required to appear before and to impress the notables and nobility of his kingdom.\u00a0 Furthermore, his objective was to impress upon his guests his authority and grandeur.\u00a0 In order to accomplish his objective, he was required to conduct himself with dignity and restraint.\u00a0 He succeeded and he completed the 180-day celebration without mishap.\u00a0 However, the lengthy, dignified, and restrained affair was an ordeal for Achashverosh.\u00a0 Therefore, he immediately convened a second celebration.\u00a0 The second party was designed to correct the defect of the first party and provide Achashverosh with a release that he needed desperately and felt he had earned.\u00a0 The second party paid no attention to protocol or social convention.\u00a0 Demonstrations of authority were replaced by abandonment to pleasure.\u00a0 This was not a feast for royalty and dignitaries.\u00a0 Achashverosh realized the elite of society would scoff at such an undignified adventure in hedonism.\u00a0 Instead, Achashverosh chose as his companions the common people \u2013 the members of the plebeian class who were his brothers.\u00a0 For Achashverosh, this second feast was the true party and the reward for his previous ordeal.\u00a0 However, at this second feast, Achashverosh faltered and thereby, he placed his reign in jeopardy.<\/p>\n

On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Bizta, Harbona, Bigta, Abagta, Zetar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that ministered before the king Ahasuerus to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was fair in appearance.\u00a0 (Megilat Esther 1:10-11)<\/em><\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Achashverosh\u2019s motives for precipitating a confrontation with Vashti<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the final day of the second feast, Achashverosh precipitated a fateful confrontation with his queen, Vashti.\u00a0 After 186 days of celebration, Achashverosh became mindlessly drunk.\u00a0 In his intoxicated state, he commanded that Vashti appear before his guests so that he might display her astounding beauty.\u00a0 How was Achashverosh able to contain his appetites and remain sober until this point and why did he now permit himself to become intoxicated?\u00a0 Furthermore, why did his loss of control express itself in his precipitation of a confrontation with his queen?\u00a0 Even drunk, Achashverosh must have realized that he was inviting a confrontation with Vashti!<\/p>\n

Our Sages provide an additional bit of information that is essential to understanding the confrontation that unfolded between Achashverosh and Vashti. They explain that Achashverosh and Vashti came to the throne from very different backgrounds.\u00a0 In contrast to Achashverosh\u2019s humble origins, Vashti boasted royal lineage.\u00a0 Achashverosh was a commoner and usurper who seized the throne and took Vashti as his queen.4<\/sup><\/a> It is very likely that his marriage to Vashti was designed to consolidate and legitimize his position as sovereign.<\/p>\n

In this context, Achashverosh\u2019s treatment of Vashti provides another insight into his personality.\u00a0 His treatment of Vashti expresses a need to demean her and to deprive her of dignity.\u00a0 This suggests that Achashverosh felt intimidated by Vashti\u2019s royal lineage and somewhat inadequate in comparison to his queen.\u00a0 In other words, despite his power and authority, Achashverosh remained insecure.\u00a0 He could not dispel his own sense, that ultimately, he was a commoner who had usurped the throne from the royal family.\u00a0\u00a0 Vashti evoked a deep sense of inadequacy.\u00a0 Under normal circumstances, Achashverosh was in control of his feelings and did not give public expression to his attitude toward Vashti.\u00a0 Now, in his drunken state, his resentments and his sense of inferiority overpowered his good sense and he engineered a showdown with his royal queen.<\/p>\n

It is not surprising that only now \u2013 well into his second feast \u2013 did Achashverosh become drunk and lose his self-control.\u00a0 As explained, Achashverosh was intimidated by Vashti\u2019s noble heritage.\u00a0 If this was Vashti\u2019s affect upon him, one can imagine the strain he experienced during the first 180-day feast.\u00a0 For 180 days, Achashverosh was surrounded by nobility and notables.\u00a0 He was required to impress his guests and demonstrate authority.\u00a0 However, these very people, whom he labored to impress, reminded him of his own plebeian origins and evoked a deep sense of inferiority.\u00a0 Now, at his second feast, his ego was buoyed by the company of the common people of Shushan \u2013 the people among whom he felt secure and confident.\u00a0 In this environment, he felt comfortable fully indulging his hedonistic desires.\u00a0 He also became engrossed in his resentment of those who made him feel inferior and unworthy.\u00a0 To Achashverosh, no person represented the class of privilege more than his own queen \u2013 Vashti.\u00a0 Eventually, his state of mind and judgment were compromised by his drunkenness.\u00a0 His anger and resentment gained control over him and he precipitated the confrontation with Vashti.<\/p>\n

And the queen Vashti refused to come at the instructions of the king through the chamberlains.\u00a0 And the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him.\u00a0 (Megilat Esther 1:12)<\/em><\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Vashti\u2019s refusal and Achashverosh\u2019s reaction\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Achashverosh\u2019s reaction of Vashti\u2019s refusal to attend to his wishes was immediate and extreme.\u00a0 He was overcome with anger.\u00a0 The remarkable intensity of Achashverosh\u2019s reaction can be appreciated in the context of another comment of our Sages.\u00a0 They explain that in response to Achashverosh\u2019s ill-mannered invitation, Vashti delivered a sharp rebuke.\u00a0 She reminded Achashverosh of his humble origins.\u00a0 She attributed his drunkenness and boorish behavior to these origins and contrasted Achashverosh to her own regal father who never demeaned himself publicly.5<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0In other words, rather than achieving his goal of humbling Vashti, Achashverosh was reminded by her of his own inadequacy.\u00a0 The very insecurities that motivated his confrontation with Vashti were intensified and transformed into indignant anger.<\/p>\n

In summary, the first chapter of Megilat Esther provides two important insights into Achashverosh\u2019s personality.\u00a0 First, despite his ascent to the throne, in his heart he remained a member of the plebeian class.\u00a0 He was capable of acting with restraint and dignity \u2013 for a period of time.\u00a0 However, he was drawn toward the hedonistic lifestyle and could not resist its allure.\u00a0 Second, Achashverosh was a powerful king.\u00a0 Yet, he was plagued by a sense of inferiority and inadequacy.\u00a0 He had risen to the highest rank within society.\u00a0 Yet, he viewed himself as a usurper and interloper.\u00a0 These character traits fatefully combined and led Achashverosh into a confrontation with Vashti and ultimately caused him to depose and kill his queen.<\/p>\n

\n

1. Masechet Megilah 19a<\/p>\n

2. Rabbeinu Shlomo ben Yitzchak (Rashi), Commentary on Megilat Esther 1:2.<\/p>\n

3. Rabbeinu Shlomo ben Yitzchak (Rashi), Commentary on Megilat Esther 1:8.<\/p>\n

4. Masechet Megilah 12b and 11a.<\/p>\n

5. Masechet Megilah 12b.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

And it was in the days of Achashverosh \u2013 the Achashverosh who ruled from Hodu to Kush \u2013 one hundred and twenty provinces. (Megilat Esther 1:1) 1.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 The messages of the Megilah story The story related in Megilat Esther is constructed around the interplay between four personalities.\u00a0 Mordechai and Esther are the hero and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":843,"featured_media":41652,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[348],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-purim"],"yoast_head":"\nLessons from Achashverosh - Jewish Holidays<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Despite Achashverosh\u2019s ascent to the throne, in his heart he remained part of the plebeian class; he was a powerful king plagued by a sense of inferiority.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/holidays\/lessons-from-achashverosh\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lessons from Achashverosh - Jewish Holidays\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Despite Achashverosh\u2019s ascent to the throne, in his heart he remained part of the plebeian class; 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