Esther Chapter 4

Morning over the kings decree

4:1 When Mordecaiוּמָרְדֳּכַי
Transliteration: ûmārdŏḵay “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under Divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here learned all that had been done, Mordecaiמָרְדְּכַי
Transliteration:mārdᵊḵay Pronunciation; mor-dek-ah’-ee “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under Divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here tore his clothes*וַיִּקְרַע… אֶת־בְּגָדָיו
He tore his clothes etc., as a manifestation of morning and grief. When Mordechai learned of the plan, he no longer cared to sit in royal attire at the King’s Gate. He tore off his robes and put on sackcloth as if to say ‘My place is now with the multitude’ (P`dus Yaakov) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther, and put on sackcloth and ashes, He went out into the middle of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
4:2 And stopped before entering the King’s Gate: because no one was allowed to go inside King’s Gate wearing sackcloth*עַד לִפְנֵי שַׁעַר־הַמֶּלֶךְ
Until the front of the king’s gate. Mordechai surely knew the rule it was forbidden to enter the King’s gate clothed in sackcloth. Had he wanted to enter the palace he surely he would have appeared in his regular attire. Rather, his purpose was to publicize his cause to Esther and seek compassion – through fasting and prayer – from God. He might have been expected to appear in his official attire to communicate the facts of the emergency to Esther so that she could attempt to intercede with the king. Only then should he have donned sackcloth to seek divine intervention. Mordechai, however chose the opposite course. He place his faith in God (Yosef Lekach) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther.
4:3 And in every province, wherever the king’s word and his decree reached, [there was] great mourning among the Jewsלַיְּהוּדִים
Transliteration: layyᵊhûḏîm – Jew (74x), Judah (1x) The term ‘Yehudi’ (derived from Yeddah, or Judah, fourth son of Jacob) has become a synonym for Jew. Yehudah’s mother gave him that name because she said, ‘I will praise God.’ Yehudah is thus a declaration that Jews always praise God,hence the common name Yehudi regardless of tribal origin (Sfas Emes) for more info click here, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and sackcloth and ashes were spread out for the masses.

Esther sends to Mordecai

4:4 So Esther’sאֶסְתֵּר
Transliteration;’estēr Pronunciation es-tare’ Esther = “star” the queen of Persia, heroine of the book of Esther – daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin Said to be a Prophetesses in the Talmud. For more info click here maidens and her eunuchs came and told her*Esther was very modest and she appreciated her privacy. That is why she had not heard about the decree (Rav Galico) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther. Then was the queen deeply distressed; and she sent garments to clothe Mordecaiמָרְדְּכַי
Transliteration:mārdᵊḵay Pronunciation; mor-dek-ah’-ee “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under Divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here, and to take off his sackcloth. But he didn’t accept them.
4:5 Then Estherאֶסְתֵּר
Transliteration;’estēr Pronunciation es-tare’ Esther = “star” the queen of Persia, heroine of the book of Esther – daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin Said to be a Prophetesses in the Talmud. For more info click here sent for Hatachלַהֲתָךְ
Transliteration: lahăṯāḵ – Hatach = “verily” – a eunuch in the court of Ahasuerus  – – Rav said Hasach was Daniel. Why was he called Hasach? Because he was downgraded from his position [which he held during the reigns of Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus – (Rashi)] (Meg. 15a) Another reason he was called Hasach was that he made decisions on affairs of state (Meg. 15a; Midrash) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther, one of the king’s eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her. And she wanted him to ask Mordecaiמָרְדְּכַי
Transliteration:mārdᵊḵay Pronunciation; mor-dek-ah’-ee “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under Divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here, what this was, and why.
4:6 So Hatachהֲתָךְ
Transliteration: hăṯāḵ Hatach = “verily” – a eunuch in the court of Ahasuerus  – – Rav said Hasach was Daniel. Why was he called Hasach? Because he was downgraded from his position [which he held during the reigns of Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus – (Rashi)] (Meg. 15a) Another reason he was called Hasach was that he made decisions on affairs of state (Meg. 15a; Midrash) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther went out to Mordecaiמָרְדְּכַי
Transliteration: mārdᵊḵay Pronunciation; mor-dek-ah’-ee “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here in to the city squareרְחוֹב הָעִיר
i.e. Hasach walked around through the city square in order to make it seem that he “happened” to meet Mordechai by coincidence (Alshich) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther that was in front of the King’s Gate.
4:7 And Mordecaiמָרְדְּכַי
Transliteration:mārdᵊḵay Pronunciation; mor-dek-ah’-ee “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under Divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here told him of all that had happened to him*וַיַּגֶּד־לוֹ מָרְדֳּכַי
And Mordechai told him, at great length (Alshich) He told him everything how his refusal to prostrate himself before Haman resulted in the edict, but that its underlying cause was the sin of the Jews in partaking of Ahasuerus’ feast (M`nos Halevi, Alshich, Me`am Loez) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther, and of the sum of the silver that Hamanהָמָן
Transliteration; hāmān Pronunciation haw-mawn’ Haman = “magnificent” chief minister of Ahasuerus, enemy of Mordecai and the Jews, who plotted to kill the Jews but, being foiled by Esther, was hanged, with his family, on the gallows he had made for Mordecai For more info click here had said to pay into the king’s treasuries for the annihilation of the Jewsבַּיְּהוּדִים
Transliteration: bayyᵊhûḏîm – Jew (74x), Judah (1x) The term ‘Yehudi’ (derived from Yeddah, or Judah, fourth son of Jacob) has become a synonym for Jew. Yehudah’s mother gave him that name because she said, ‘I will praise God.’ Yehudah is thus a declaration that Jews always praise God, hence the common name Yehudi regardless of tribal origin (Sfas Emes) for more info click here.
4:8 Also he gave him the copy of written decree issued in Shushanבְּשׁוּשָׁן
Transliteration: bᵊšûšān – proper locative noun – Shushan or Susa = “lily”- the winter residence of the Persian kings; located on the river Ulai or Choaspes. for more info click here for their destructionלְהַשְׁמִידָם
Apparently only the Shushan copy of the edict mentioned ‘destruction” those copies published in the other provinces made no mention of ‘destruction’ (Alshich) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther*לְהַשְׁמִידָם
the word ‘for their destruction’ was not part of the document. This word was Mordechai’s own addition as a natural inference (Yosef Lekach) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther, so that he might show it to Estherאֶסְתֵּר
Transliteration;’estēr Pronunciation es-tare’ Esther = “star” the queen of Persia, heroine of the book of Esther – daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin Said to be a Prophetesses in the Talmud. For more info click here, explain it to her, and to instruct her that she to go in to the king, implore of him and seek his favor on behalf of her people.
4:9 Hatachהֲתָךְ
Transliteration: hăṯāḵ Hatach = “verily” – a eunuch in the court of Ahasuerus  – – Rav said Hasach was Daniel. Why was he called Hasach? Because he was downgraded from his position [which he held during the reigns of Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus – (Rashi)] (Meg. 15a) Another reason he was called Hasach was that he made decisions on affairs of state (Meg. 15a; Midrash) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther came and told Estherאֶסְתֵּר
Transliteration;’estēr Pronunciation es-tare’ Esther = “star” the queen of Persia, heroine of the book of Esther – daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin Said to be a Prophetesses in the Talmud. For more info click here the words of Mordecaiמָרְדְּכַי
Transliteration:mārdᵊḵay Pronunciation; mor-dek-ah’-ee “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under Divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here.
4:10 Then Estherאֶסְתֵּר
Transliteration;’estēr Pronunciation es-tare’ Esther = “star” the queen of Persia, heroine of the book of Esther – daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin Said to be a Prophetesses in the Talmud. For more info click here spoke to Hatachלַהֲתָךְ
Transliteration: lahăṯāḵ Hatach = “verily” – a eunuch in the court of Ahasuerus  – – Rav said Hasach was Daniel. Why was he called Hasach? Because he was downgraded from his position [which he held during the reigns of Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus – (Rashi)] (Meg. 15a) Another reason he was called Hasach was that he made decisions on affairs of state (Meg. 15a; Midrash) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther, and ordered him to go to Mordecaiמָרְדְּכַי
Transliteration:mārdᵊḵay Pronunciation; mor-dek-ah’-ee “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under Divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here [saying];
4:11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces know, that anyone man or women, approaches to the king in the inner court, who isn’t summoned, there is but one law him: that he be put to death, except for the one to whom the King shall hold out the golden scepter, so that he may live. But I haven’t been summoned to come to the king for thirty days.
4:12 When they related to Mordecaiלְמָרְדֳּכָי
Transliteration: lᵊmārdŏḵāy “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under Divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here* וַיַּגִּידוּ לְמָרְדֳּכָי
They related to Mordechai. Hasach wasn’t the one to deliver the recalcitrant message. Reluctant to deliver Esther’s negative response, he sent another in his place. (Meg. 15a)
Others say that Haman grew suspicious of Hasach and had him murdered (Me`am Loez) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther what Estherאֶסְתֵּר
Transliteration;’estēr Pronunciation es-tare’ Esther = “star” the queen of Persia, heroine of the book of Esther – daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin Said to be a Prophetesses in the Talmud. For more info click here had said.
4:13 Then Mordecaiמָרְדְּכַי
Transliteration:mārdᵊḵay Pronunciation; mor-dek-ah’-ee “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under Divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here said reply to Estherאֶסְתֵּר
Transliteration;’estēr Pronunciation es-tare’ Esther = “star” the queen of Persia, heroine of the book of Esther – daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin Said to be a Prophetesses in the Talmud. For more info click here, Don’t imagine in your soulבְנַפְשֵׁךְ
Transliteration: ḇᵊnap̄šēḵ Hebrew Noun: Common Both Singular Construct Meaning: in your soul, in yourself, in your life, creature, person, appetite, mind, in your living being, in your desire, in your emotion, in your passion For more info click here that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than the rest of the Jewsהַיְּהוּדִים
Transliteration: hayyᵊhûḏîm – Jew (74x), Judah (1x) The term ‘Yehudi’ (derived from Yeddah, or Judah, fourth son of Jacob) has become a synonym for Jew. Yehudah’s mother gave him that name because she said, ‘I will praise God.’ Yehudah is thus a declaration that Jews always praise God,hence the common name Yehudi regardless of tribal origin (Sfas Emes) for more info click here.
4:14 Because if you are completely silent now, then relief and deliverance will rise up to the Jewsלַיְּהוּדִים
Transliteration: layyᵊhûḏîm – Jew (74x), Judah (1x) The term ‘Yehudi’ (derived from Yeddah, or Judah, fourth son of Jacob) has become a synonym for Jew. Yehudah’s mother gave him that name because she said, ‘I will praise God.’ Yehudah is thus a declaration that Jews always praise God,hence the common name Yehudi regardless of tribal origin (Sfas Emes) for more info click here a different direction; but you and your father’s house will be perish: And who knows? You may have come to royal position just for a time like this?

Esther appoints a fast

4:15 Then Estherאֶסְתֵּר
Transliteration;’estēr Pronunciation es-tare’ Esther = “star” the queen of Persia, heroine of the book of Esther – daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin Said to be a Prophetesses in the Talmud. For more info click here sent this return answerלְהָשִׁיבי
Esther answered in a soothing manner, that she understands her special role and obligation. She is not concerned with self-preservation; the fate of all the Jews is foremost in her mind. She only asks for a few days time to take advantage this most auspicious occasion to present the facts of Haman’s slander and expose him (M`nos Halevi) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther to Mordecaiמָרְדְּכַי
Transliteration:mārdᵊḵay Pronunciation; mor-dek-ah’-ee “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under Divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here ,
4:16 Go, gather together all the Jewsהַיְּהוּדִים
Transliteration: hayyᵊhûḏîm – Jew (74x), Judah (1x) The term ‘Yehudi’ (derived from Yeddah, or Judah, fourth son of Jacob) has become a synonym for Jew. Yehudah’s mother gave him that name because she said, ‘I will praise God.’ Yehudah is thus a declaration that Jews always praise God, hence the common name Yehudi regardless of tribal origin (Sfas Emes) for more info click here to be found in Shushanבְּשׁוּשָׁן
Transliteration: bᵊšûšān – proper locative noun – Shushan or Susa = “lily”- the winter residence of the Persian kings; located on the river Ulai or Choaspes. for more info click here*בְּשׁוּשָׁן
in Shushan – Esther limited the assembly to the Jews in Shushan because it would have been impossible to assemble Jews living further away on such short notice (Vilna Gaon) – From The Megillah: The Book of Esther, and fast for me, and don’t eat or drink three days, night or day: I and my maids will also fast like y’all do. And so will I go in to the king, though it is against the law: and if I die, I die.
4:17 Then Mordecaiמָרְדְּכַי
Transliteration:mārdᵊḵay Pronunciation; mor-dek-ah’-ee “little man” or “worshiper of Mars” cousin and adoptive father of queen Esther; son of Jair of the tribe of Benjamin; deliverer under Divine providence of the children of Israel from the destruction plotted by Haman the chief minister of Ahasuerus; institutor of the feast of Purim For more info click here left and did exactly like Estherאֶסְתֵּר
Transliteration;’estēr Pronunciation es-tare’ Esther = “star” the queen of Persia, heroine of the book of Esther – daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin. Said to be a Prophetesses in the Talmud. For more info click here had commanded him.