MEGILLAH This work is essentially decorative in nature. The alternating lines of Hebrew text are taken from the beginning and the end of the Book of Esther. Thus, we have the entire story depicted in one block of text, signifying the unity of God
THE SEAT OF POWER “Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus - this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty provinces…” I:1 The beginning of the story that threatens the existence of the Jew
JELLYBEANS ARE NOT KOSHER An eerie surrealism fills the landscape. The castle is as endless as the 127 provinces of the Persian kingdom and intrigue is just as pervasive symbolized by the chess board) through the royal party, a hollow party marke
VASHTI “On the seventh day when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded the seven chamberlains…to bring Vashti the Queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty, for she was fair to look
THE BEGINNING OF MIRACLES “And the king loved Esther above all the women and she obtained grace and favor in his sight, more than all the other girls; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen in place of Vashti”. II:17 Th
QUEEN ESTHER “The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she pleased and attracted him more than all the other girls. He placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in Vashti’s place”. II:17 I have left her face unfinishe
THE LINGUIST “In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, sought to lay hands upon the King Ahasuerus”. II: 21 Mordecai had to be the one to uncover the conspiracy to kill the king, th
THE HALF SHEKEL “If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries”. III:9 The su
GENEALOGY “And the king took his ring from his hand and gave it unto Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jew’s enemy”. III: 10 The evil forces of Haman and the king are united in their hatred of, and willingness to destroy the Jews. Th
INTERVIEW “…when the king saw Esther the Queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand.” V:2 This was a moment filled with rage and frustration for the
BILL OF FARE “So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared”. V: 5 Two cups are shown, rather than three as Esther did not partake of the feast. She was still fasting. The chess game goes on! Throughout most of the paintings
CONCOURSE D’ELEGANCE “Then took Haman the apparel and the horse and arrayed Mordecai and caused him to ride through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him: ‘Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor’ ” VI:11
INSIDE - OUTSIDE “So the king and Haman came to the banquet with Esther the Queen”. VII:1 The emphasis at this second party is on drinking. The standing cups represent The King, Esther, Mordechai and the remaining standing cup the Jewish people.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordechai”. VII: 10 Upon the advice of his wife and supporters, Haman prepared a gallows, fifty cubits high. Impaling is probably meant, since hanging was not a P
OR EIN SOF (THE UNENDING LIGHT) “The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor”. VII: 16 During the period of persecution, many Jews had remained in hiding. This was their first opportunity to go out into the daylight. It was virtually an i
CELEBRATION “But the Jews were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth day thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness” IX: 18 Essentially, this
CONTINUANCE “The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor.” X:16 “…and the commandments of Esther confirmed these materials of Purim; and it was written in the book”. IX: 32 When Esther told Mordechai to go and gather all the Jews (IX:32),
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