Megillat Esther - The Book of Esther with commentary by Rabbi Adin-Even Israel (Steinsaltz), published by Biblieurope

Megillat Esther - The Book of Esther commented on by Rabbi Adin-Even Israel (Steinsaltz)

In Colour, Hebrew French with customary blessings.

Biblieurope Editions

Megillat Esther - The Book of Esther commented on by Rabbi Adin-Even Israel (Steinsaltz)

In color, Hebrew and translated with customary blessings.

The Book of Esther (or Megillah of Esther, meaning "scroll" in Hebrew, read during the festival of Purim from a parchment scroll unrolled like a letter) recounts the first attempt to exterminate the entire Jewish people. Haman's terrible decree against the Jews initially appears to be based on religious and nationalist grounds, as the people of Israel are perceived as a distinct people practicing a religion different from all other nations (3:8). Furthermore, Haman's motivation can also be explained by the hatred and rivalry he displays toward "Mordecai the Jew" and, by extension, toward his entire nation (3:4-5). In any case, the Jewish people are treated as a unique entity sharing the same fate, even though they were then "scattered and dispersed among the other nations throughout all the provinces of your kingdom" (3:8). It is therefore not surprising that the salvation of the Jews in Persia is celebrated as a national holiday (Purim) by the entire people of Israel throughout all generations. The Sages thus instituted the reading of the Megillat Esther on this day, both the evening before and the morning of. As the text itself indicates, Mordecai and Esther wrote it as an epistle to the members of their people, wherever they were in the Persian Empire. However, it is possible that some of the kingdom's sages and advisors contributed to give this letter a semi-official character. This may explain why King Ahasuerus—despite his role as another "hero" in the attempt to exterminate the Jewish people—is always portrayed in a favorable light. It is indeed difficult to detect any direct criticism of the character, although one can guess between the lines some very unflattering traits of his personality.

Translated from Hebrew by Michel Allouche

Biblieurope Editions