A BIBLICAL ROMANCE. THE KING OF PERSIA AND ESTHER

The true meaning of Purim has its beginnings in Persia which goes back to Biblical and Old Testament stories. Purim was a date set by Harman, the Prime Minister of Persia, to exterminate the Jewish people of Persia. Because of Queen Esther’s courage and tremendous efforts to save her people, she turned the tide and course of history from certain death to life for her people.

During the celebrations of Purim, the Jewish people of the world mingle in their cities and suburbs, decked out in colourful fancy dress costumes, and beautiful face masks which are symbolic of Esther having to hide the fact that she was from a Hebrew family. Esther’s real name was Hadassah, “the Star of Persia.”

I would like to be a little frivolous and write a light hearted story of love and romance between the King of Persia and Esther, how it began, and the love that blossomed out in view of the palace and all the intrigue at the King’s court, which took some managing to keep sane and on course, always alert and aware of everything that took place.

Thanks goes to Esther’s uncle, named Mordecai; a wily old man who held office as the King’s appointee in an administrative position at the palace and court, and who kept his eyes on everything that went on, a position more or less like that of an Mi5 agent.

King Xerxes of Persia was a handsome and well built man, as he attended gym every day to keep fit. He was considered a good catch for any woman. He ruled his subjects fairly and was quite strict with making laws to keep his people in check. However, the King had a weakness for the fairer sex and definitely a bit of a roving eye for beauty. He would never have a plain women sit beside him as his Queen.

His present wife Queen Vashti was an absolute stunner, and she knew it by taking full advantage of her beauty and position. She was utterly spoilt and always acted in a willful and mean manner toward her husband. She never showed him any respect, especially in public, with her cheeky ways, making the King feel humiliated beyond measure.

The King got tired and angry with her abuse of him and decided to send her packing. He instructed his officials to find him another, more amiable, wife. He ordered them to issue two proclamations:

1. Wives had to treat their husbands with respect and dignity, or face the consequences of punishment if they are found guilt of not obeying the law. Unfortunately for the women of Persia this ruling is still in force today.

2. The other proclamation was of a completely different kind. Posters had to be handed out and advertised all over the provinces, informing the general public that a beauty contest was to be held in the capital. Entrants had to be young, beautiful, educated and up to 21 yrs of age.

Never in the history of beauty contests had there been such a trophy, the prize being the King himself.

Once the girls had been found from the different provinces, the staff was then appointed. The head of the entire project was given to a eunuch named Hegai, who was quite famous in his own right. Arrangements got into top gear, as the girls would be away a whole year. Training camps had to be set up to cater to all needs and requirements as different classes would take place throughout the year. A second task force was put into place to run the camps to accommodate the girls. The new staff members and teachers were chosen for their high levels of organizational skills and experience in schooling and worldly ways.

The girls had to follow a strict regime of study and gain high marks to attain a good pass. The subjects consisted of Persian history, the surrounding world, several spoken languages, court protocol, and etiquette. Astronomy and mathematics were extra subjects that only really clever girls could study. The Persians were very keen on these 2 particular subjects.

Every day the girls had to attend classes at the spa, where a routine of body massagers and muscle toners rubbed finest oils into their bodies, and treated their skins to herbal steam baths. There were facial creams for all types of skins especially moisturized creams blended with honey, including masks used to tighten the skin, special healing cream for problems such as pimples, the list of cures were numerous.

The courses also consisted of gym and dancing and exercises every day. There were practical talks on what diets to follow, but the girls had to eat the correct amount of food, and were measured, as they were not allowed to put on an ounce of weight. Sounds just like “The Biggest Loser” program on TV.

Mordecai entered Esther into the competition. He played a very important role in her life. When her parents were massacred in a tribal war, he adopted her and she was brought up in court and was accustomed to procedures and how to behave.

The day arrived for her interview before the King. Hegai knew Mordecai very well and was very fond of Esther. He dressed her with a great deal of care to please the King. He knew the King’s taste for beautiful and sexy women. What a pity some of the women of Persia have to dress in drab black from head to toe. The Persians are a very handsome race, hidden from public view.

Esther was escorted to stand before the King, and as they looked at each other, sparks flew in all directions, a direct hit from Cupid’s arrow, love at first sight. Esther won the top prize. Not only was she beautiful, but clever and wise beyond her years. She was streets ahead of any other girl at the contest, as she did have the advantage and experience of court life.

Mordecai again advised Esther not to reveal her Jewish heritage, as there were political undercurrents doing the rounds at the palace, all very dangerous and on a knife edge which could burst into trouble at any given time.

Esther and the King were still enjoying marital bliss when Hegai told Mordecai he had uncovered a treacherous plot to assassinate the King by two disgruntled eunuchs. Mordecai told Esther to inform the King ASAP. The King showed his gratitude by promoting Mordecai to a higher position.
The King needed a new Prime Minister, and his friend Haman was appointed. Mordecai was distraught by the news, as they were sworn enemies, especially the Jews of Persia. Haman’s family was a descent of Agag who had once suffered at the hands of the Jews in the many tribal wars. This hatred had been passed down for generations. Haman was deliriously happy, as at last the time had come for him to exact revenge. The sweet smell of success was so close at hand; he and his families and friends got a little carried away, which of course caused a great deal of gossip in the palace, which began to run unabated like wildfire. Lots had been drawn and cast to D Day that the extermination of the Jewish people was set down for the 12th day of March.

Esther had to act quickly, so she donned her most beautiful robe and rushed to the King’s apartment, where she flung herself at the King’s feet and tearfully begged for mercy that she had hidden her birth from him. She pleaded to him to save her people, and thus herself, from certain death.

The King did not want to lose his wife, so he rounded up Haman and his tribe and severely punished them. The Jews lived to see another day and as can be seen there is good reason to celebrate Purim.

It really goes to show what love can ultimately achieve in the long run.