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Why did Achashverosh model his feast after the Mishkan and wear the Kohen Gadol's garments? The Maharam's insight reveals that he was claiming both political and religious authority to demonstrate absolute kingship. This contrasts with Jewish kingship, where Torah (תורה) reading on Shabbos (שבת) proclaims God's sovereignty and elevates the world through ethics rather than lawlessness.
This shiur provides a detailed analysis of the opening chapters of Megillas Esther, focusing on King Achashverosh's elaborate feasts and their deeper significance. The lecture begins by examining the timing of the feast in Shushan - whether it occurred during the final seven days of the 180-day feast or after its conclusion, with implications for understanding whether this was part of foreign policy or an internal matter. A central theme is the Maharam's insight that Achashverosh deliberately modeled his feast after the Mishkan, using similar colors and arrangements. The king wore the garments of the Kohen Gadol, while Queen Vashti wore priestly garments as well, possibly the white garments of Yom Kippur. This was part of Achashverosh's attempt to demonstrate that he controlled both political and religious authority.
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Esther 1:5-22
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Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
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