Product Description

Esther, queen of Persia, determines she must risk her life to save her people. Her decision is bold, disobedient and daring-but it is just the tip of the iceberg of intrigue, heroism and power politics described in the biblical book of Esther. But when the dust has settled and the Jews emerge victorious, many readers of Esther are still left wondering: What is such a book doing in the bible? Hazony introduces us to a different book of Esther, removed from the fairy-tale feel that is normally associated with it. It is, in truth, about politics - the politics of a Jewish nation newly in exile.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1240847 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 312 pages

Customer Reviews

Important lessons for our times

This riveting and informative work is highly relevant for our time, now that the shadows are lengthening and the dragon of Antisemitism is resurgent. It deals with faith and politics, and with religion in an era when there are no prophets, when miracles have ceased and the survival of the Jewish people depends on the belief and courage of the individual. In this way it opens up the political dynamics of the scriptural narrative into teachings that are of cardinal importance for our day.

The Book of Esther presents to the reader a choice between two antithetical conditions: the one a nightmare of impotence and destruction, the other a political choice to act in defense of the Hebrew nation and how it may be done in practice. The narrative of Esther deals with historical, religious, psychological and theological matters and provides answers to relevant questions. In this regard, please also consult Jews and Power by Ruth R Wisse.

Hazony claims that contrary to popular opinion, the plot does not unfold according to "luck" or "coincidence", but succeeds by virtue of Mordechai and Esther's understanding of the principles of politics, their courage and their faith in a seemingly godless world. The author does a splendid job of explaining these teachings which demand our attention more than ever today. He does this without once referring to the hidden codes or acrostics in the book, about which he cannot be ignorant.

Each chapter is introduced by a chapter from the Book of Esther which is then discussed in fascinating and illuminating detail as regards the characters, their motivations, the twists and turns of the plot, the options available and the choices that had to be made. The author draws on Talmudic commentary throughout for additional insights.

There is not enough space in a short review to fully do justice to the myriad lessons and insights into politics and human nature contained in this wonderful book. Gems of wisdom and meaningful allusion are found on every page, but it is important to be aware of the everlasting hatred of Amalek and the way it manifests in every generation.

Moreover, it hurts not only the Jews but brings unspeakable suffering to all people in all cultures where it is allowed to pursue its path of murder & destruction. It is therefore incumbent upon both Jew and Gentile to oppose it. The spirit of Amalek is that same spirit of totalitarianism that made the 20th century an era of so much death and suffering. See A Century of Horrors by Alain Besançon.

One of the significant lessons of Esther is that God's apparent absence does not need to induce despair and defeat. Mordechai and Esther prove that even in the bleak condition of dispersion, the most horrible of evils can be opposed and overcome as long as people themselves are willing to take the initiative. Mankind must be instrumental in bringing God's peace and justice into the world.

Ether and Mordechai repeatedly chose to risk everything for that which is right and true. They did not only take the initiative in political actions, they also injected their actions with moral force through vital philosophical & religious deeds. This includes Mordechai's refusal to bow before Haman and the fast that Esther called.

People of good will must work to preserve liberty and justice according to the principles of investment, boldness and faith. Investment = Purposeful effort; Boldness = Acting at the right time with all one's might; Faith = Knowing why you are doing what needs to be done.

Since God has hidden his face, the initiative to act has passed to mankind. The worst man can do is to hide his face too. Then even God cannot respond to the cries of his children. Hazony speculates that perhaps this is why the Shoah occurred - that there weren't enough Esthers and Mordechais who acted in time.

The book has 34pp of notes arranged by chapter, 9pp of scriptural and rabbinic references, an index, and concludes with the complete text of the Book of Esther in Hebrew. Other books of interest include Shackled Warrior: Israel and the Global Jihad by Caroline Glick and Strike Zion! by William Stephenson.