Q&A: The Name of Heaven in the Megillah
The Name of Heaven in the Megillah
Question
Someone pointed out to me a simple straightforward explanation for why the Name of Heaven is not mentioned in the Megillah:
Because Mordechai and Esther are apparently names of idols that existed in that period, or at least names associated with symbols of gentile culture.
Mordechai sends Esther to manage in life in the king's palace.
And in order to succeed, he warns her not to reveal that she is Jewish.
The plan succeeds spectacularly.
And they belong to those who did not return to Zion, contrary to the word of God.
The Name of Heaven surely was not on their lips.
A kind of assimilated group.
And that also seems to be why Mordechai has to persuade her to save her people. And that is not self-evident.
Maybe her initial inclination was assimilation and complete detachment from the Jewish people.
Bottom line, Haman's antisemitic decree shakes them up [and the rest of the assimilated Jews in the world who do not go up to Zion], and she responds to the request to save her [former] people, and apparently they also become spiritually stronger—both Mordechai and Esther and all the assimilated Jews.
Of course the Name of Heaven was not commonly on their lips. And therefore it is natural that it would not be mentioned in the Megillah.
Is this a possible interpretation? A reasonable one? An accepted one?
What does the Rabbi think?
Answer
My view is that this is an unlikely speculation. The Megillah is a book in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), and according to the Sages, whoever wrote it did so with divine inspiration. I did not see in your remarks any reason why God's Name is not mentioned in the Megillah. Even if Esther and Mordechai were not in favor of mentioning God's Name, that is no reason for it not to be mentioned in the Megillah. Beyond that, Mordechai fasts and Esther instructs him to fast. Is that not a reference to the Holy One, blessed be He?
Discussion on Answer
I saw that you addressed this. My mistake.
There is an explicit prohibition against taking God's Name in vain.
Also, in Ecclesiastes the mentions of God are later additions.
If they were assimilated, why did Esther ask that they fast for her, etc.? Granted, you could wriggle out of it and say they were fasting for Mordechai, but that is a stretch.