Studying the Megillah Part 27 The Megillah in Depth, Chapter 5, Part 6 Megillat Esther: Chapter 5 Verse 12 Seeking his wife’s sage, sensitive advice, Haman recounts his many achievements and personal triumphs, emphasizing that none of it has any value as long as Persia’s most famous Jew exists – the immediate elimination of the impudent Jewish leader is absolutely necessary. The question is how? Deeply superstitious and wickedly wise, Haman’s diabolically conniving monster-mate Zerersh strategically analyzes the possibilities, reaching the conclusion that there is only one viable final solution – Mordechai must hang from a towering gallows by morning. A detailed plan is hatched; immediate action ensues as zero hour approaches.

Studying the Megillah Part 26 The Megillah in Depth, Chapter 5, Part 5 Thrilled with the special private royal feast he just attended, Haman finally achieves inner satisfaction at achieving the apex of success. But his fanatical anti-Semitism robs him of his happiness. Seeing the Jew Mordechai placidly occupying his parliamentary position fills him with murderous rage. Restraining his inner fury and emotional angst, world Jewry's arch enemy heads home to his loved ones; seeking comfort and counsel in achieving an immediate final solution to the vexing problem of the Persian Chief Rabbi's very existence.

Studying the Megillah Part 25 The Megillah in Depth, Chapter 5, Part 4 As the fine wine flows, the King relaxes in the exclusive company of his Prime Minister and Queen. Realizing that she wouldn’t risk her life for a banquet, he repeats his inquiry – seeking insight into the real nature of her wishes. Yet the reticent Queen still doesn't make the ask; instead requesting their presence at a second intimate banquet – assuring the Monarch that it would climax with her response. Why did the Purim heroine continue to delay? Discover the answer to this, and many other perplexing elements of this section of the shrouded miraculous narrative.

The Talmud on the Megillah, Lesson 16 Dsf/Page 12b Having given up on his Jewish judiciary, the enraged King now taps his seven-member personal Persian Politburo; the empire’s multicultural crafted royal cabinet. The Scripture lists the individual names of this outstanding group of seven. Our sages see the unique enumeration as an allusion to a silent subtext of the narrative. As the rebellious Queen’s future lie in balance, heavenly angels entreated the King of all Kings for just desserts. The identity of the vocal mystery minister is visited, and the class concludes with the literary fortuitous fallout that followed.

Studying the Megillah Part 24 The Megillah in Depth, Chapter 5, Part 3 Although Esther had flagrantly disobeyed and consequently infuriated him, the thin-skinned, easily angered King was miraculously overcome with tenderness. Lovingly, he offers up to “half the kingdom” to fulfil her desires. Perplexingly, the mission-driven queen seems to have lost her direction, as she strangely asked for nothing but his, and the hate-filled Prime Minister Haman’s attendance at an intimate dinner party! This eye-opening class takes us behind the scenes; introducing us to the brilliant, shrewdly engineered and faith-filled strategies of the Purim heroine.

The Talmud on the Megillah, Lesson 15 Daf/Page 12b Despite the very public nature of the intoxicated monarch’s request, Queen Vashti brazenly snubs her husband by being a no-show. To add insult to injury, she privately insults her thin-skinned husband by mocking his masculinity. To be sure, she was so licentious in nature that she would have acquiesced; however suddenly miraculous disfigurement made that prohibitive. The clueless king erupts in a public display of fury; while seething inwardly as well. Despite his drunken stupor, the ruler cunningly seeks counsel from local Jewish Sages who are thrust into an impossible no-win situation. Not to be outfoxed, the wise men cleverly recuse themselves from this unwanted judicial duty.