ABSTRACT
In the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Esther is the last of the five Megillot and thus part of the Writings. In his analysis of the political teachings of the Book of Esther, Yoram Hazony argues that the goal of the lengthy banquet is to display the king's wealth. When Esther is summoned to the beauty contest, Mordecai advises her not to reveal her background. Hazony argues that it was not necessarily Esther's beauty that leads Ahasuerus to select her, but her cleverness in following Hegai's advice about pleasing the king. After Esther becomes queen, Mordecai learns that two of the king's eunuchs plan to assassinate the king. The king, very angry, storms into the royal garden, and Haman falls upon Esther's couch to plead with her. Esther asks the king for an additional day for the Jews to attack their enemies in Susa, during which another three hundred are killed.
