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Why did Esther invite Haman to formal state banquets rather than speak privately to Achashverosh? Her strategy required official proceedings because the king actually hated Jews more than Haman did. She manipulated both men's psychology—making Haman overconfident while creating royal suspicion about a possible Esther-Haman alliance.
Rabbi Zweig provides a profound analysis of Chapter 5 of Megillas Esther, focusing on verses 3-14. He begins by examining the grammatical nuances of Achashverosh's response to Esther's entrance, noting how "ma loch" and "ma bakashoseich" reveal that by allowing her entry, the king is already indicating agreement to her request. The analysis then shifts to Esther's careful language regarding the banquet, particularly her use of "asher asisi lo" which could refer to either the king or Haman, creating deliberate ambiguity that serves her strategic purposes. A central insight emerges regarding the nature of these gatherings - Rabbi Zweig argues these were not private parties but official state meetings of the highest level. This interpretation explains why Esther had to risk her life by entering the royal court uninvited, when she could have simply spoken to her husband privately as Haman later did. The formal nature of these meetings explains Achashverosh's offer of "half the kingdom" and Haman's extreme excitement at being included.
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Esther 5:3-14
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Why did King Achashverosh ask Haman what should be done for someone the king wishes to honor? The king was testing Haman's loyalty, and when Haman requested a crown be placed on the honoree, it revealed his treacherous ambitions for the throne. By forcing Haman to honor Mordechai with royal status, the king both protected Mordechai from the death decree and humiliated his potentially traitorous advisor.
