Tanach
Esther 9 אסתר ט׳
Part of: Setumah, Esther 8:15Setumah, Esther 9:20Setumah, Esther 9:29
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וּבִשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ הוּא־חֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם בּוֹ אֲשֶׁר הִגִּיעַ דְּבַר־הַמֶּלֶךְ וְדָתוֹ לְהֵעָשׂוֹת בַּיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר שִׂבְּרוּ אֹיְבֵי הַיְּהוּדִים לִשְׁלוֹט בָּהֶם וְנַהֲפוֹךְ הוּא אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁלְטוּ הַיְּהוּדִים הֵמָּה בְּשֹׂנְאֵיהֶֽם׃
During the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the month, when the king’s directive and bylaw were to be put in effect; on the very day when the enemies of the Yehudim anticipated that they would subdue them—it was totally reversed, for they׀the Yehudim׀subdued their enemies.
During the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the month, when the king’s directive and bylaw were to be put in effect; on the very day when the enemies of the Yehudim anticipated that they would subdue them—it was totally reversed, for they׀the Yehudim׀subdued their enemies.
נִקְהֲלוּ הַיְּהוּדִים בְּעָרֵיהֶם בְּכׇל־מְדִינוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ לִשְׁלֹחַ יָד בִּמְבַקְשֵׁי רָֽעָתָם וְאִישׁ לֹא־עָמַד לִפְנֵיהֶם*(במגילות אשכנז בִּפְנֵיהֶם) כִּֽי־נָפַל פַּחְדָּם עַל־כׇּל־הָעַמִּֽים׃
The Yehudim assembled in their colonies througout all of King Achashverosh’s colonies to assault those who sought their harm, and no man resisted them, for their awesomeness had descended over all the peoples.
The Yehudim assembled in their colonies througout all of King Achashverosh’s colonies to assault those who sought their harm, and no man resisted them, for their awesomeness had descended over all the peoples.
וְכׇל־שָׂרֵי הַמְּדִינוֹת וְהָאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִים וְהַפַּחוֹת וְעֹשֵׂי הַמְּלָאכָה אֲשֶׁר לַמֶּלֶךְ מְנַשְּׂאִים אֶת־הַיְּהוּדִים כִּֽי־נָפַל פַּֽחַד־מׇרְדֳּכַי עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
All of the colonial ministers, envoys, and governors, and the imperial executive staff, exalted the Yehudim, as Mordechai’s awesomeness had descended over them.
All of the colonial ministers, envoys, and governors, and the imperial executive staff, exalted the Yehudim, as Mordechai’s awesomeness had descended over them.
Rashi
כִּֽי־גָדוֹל מׇרְדֳּכַי בְּבֵית הַמֶּלֶךְ וְשׇׁמְעוֹ הוֹלֵךְ בְּכׇל־הַמְּדִינוֹת כִּֽי־הָאִישׁ מׇרְדֳּכַי הוֹלֵךְ וְגָדֽוֹל׃
For Mordechai was powerful at the royal palace, and his prestige extended throughout the colonies; for the distinguished Mordechai’s greatness flourished.
For Mordechai was powerful at the royal palace, and his prestige extended throughout the colonies; for the distinguished Mordechai’s greatness flourished.
וַיַּכּוּ הַיְּהוּדִים בְּכׇל־אֹיְבֵיהֶם מַכַּת־חֶרֶב וְהֶרֶג וְאַבְדָן וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ בְשֹׂנְאֵיהֶם כִּרְצוֹנָֽם׃
The Yehudim struck all their enemies with rapier blows, slaughter, and annihilation, doing as they pleased with their enemies.
The Yehudim struck all their enemies with rapier blows, slaughter, and annihilation, doing as they pleased with their enemies.
וּבְשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה הָרְגוּ הַיְּהוּדִים וְאַבֵּד חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת אִֽישׁ׃
In the capital city of Shushan, the Yehudim killed and annihilated five hundred men.
In the capital city of Shushan, the Yehudim killed and annihilated five hundred men.
וְאֵת ׀ פַּרְשַׁנְדָּתָא וְאֵת ׀ דַּֽלְפוֹן וְאֵת ׀ אַסְפָּֽתָא׃
And Parshandasa, and Dalfon, and Aspasa.
And Parshandasa, and Dalfon, and Aspasa.
וְאֵת ׀ פּוֹרָתָא וְאֵת ׀ אֲדַלְיָא וְאֵת ׀ אֲרִידָֽתָא׃
And Porasa, and Adalia, and Aridasa.
And Porasa, and Adalia, and Aridasa.
וְאֵת ׀ פַּרְמַשְׁתָּא וְאֵת ׀ אֲרִיסַי וְאֵת ׀ אֲרִדַי*(בספרים אחרים אֲרִידַי וכך כתוב במגילות רבות) וְאֵת ׀ וַיְזָֽתָא׃
And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vaizasa,
And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vaizasa,
עֲשֶׂרֶת בְּנֵי הָמָן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָתָא צֹרֵר הַיְּהוּדִים הָרָגוּ וּבַבִּזָּה לֹא שָׁלְחוּ אֶת־יָדָֽם׃
The ten sons of Haman, son of Hamdasa, oppressor of the Yehudim, they killed. But they did not lay their hands on the spoils.
The ten sons of Haman, son of Hamdasa, oppressor of the Yehudim, they killed. But they did not lay their hands on the spoils.
Rashi
עשרת בני המן. ראיתי בסדר עולם אלו עשרה שכתבו שטנה על יהודה וירושלים כמו שכתוב בספר עזרא (עזרא ד) ובמלכות אחשורוש בתחלת מלכותו כתבו שטנה על ישבי יהודה וירושלם, ומה היא השטנה לבטל העולים מן הגולה בימי כורש שהתחילו לבנות את הבית והלשינו עליהם הכותים והחדילום וכשמת כורש ומלך אחשורוש והתנשא המן דאג שלא יעסקו אותן שבירושלים בבנין ושלחו בשם אחשורוש לשרי עבר הנהר לבטלן:
The ten sons of Haman. I saw in Seder Olam: These are the ten who wrote a [false] accusation against Yehudah and Yerusholayim, as it is written in the Book of Ezra: “And during the reign of Achashveirosh, at the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the dwellers of Yehudah and Yerusholayim.”1Ezra 4:6. And what was the [purpose of the] accusation? To stop those who were coming up from the exile during the days of Koresh, who had started to build the Beis Hamikdosh, and the Cutheans slandered them and stopped them.2Seder Olam Rabbah 29. But when Koresh died, and Achashveirosh reigned, and Haman was promoted, he [Haman] saw to it that those in Yerusholayim would not engage in the construction, so they [Haman’s ten sons] sent in the name of Achashveirosh to the princes of the other side of the river to stop them [from building].
ובבזה לא שלחו את ידם. שלא יתן המלך עין צרה בממון:
But they did not lay their hands on the spoils. So that the king should not cast an envious eye on their money.3Alternatively, Esther’s ancestor, King Shaul had sinned by sparing Agag and by allowing the people to take some of Amoleik’s booty (I Shmuel 15:17-29). His misdeed was now rectified by killing Agag’s descendants, Haman and his sons, and by “not lay[ing] their hands on the spoils,” although they were permitted to do so. This is alluded to in the acrostic [שאול] formed by the first letters of the phrase ובבזה לא שלחו את. (Me’am Lo’ez)
בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא בָּא מִסְפַּר הַֽהֲרוּגִים בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה לִפְנֵי הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
On that day, the total of those killed in the capital city of Shushan came to the king’s attention.
On that day, the total of those killed in the capital city of Shushan came to the king’s attention.
וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ לְאֶסְתֵּר הַמַּלְכָּה בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה הָרְגוּ הַיְּהוּדִים וְאַבֵּד חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ וְאֵת עֲשֶׂרֶת בְּנֵֽי־הָמָן בִּשְׁאָר מְדִינוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ מֶה עָשׂוּ וּמַה־שְּׁאֵֽלָתֵךְ וְיִנָּתֵֽן לָךְ וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵךְ עוֹד וְתֵעָֽשׂ׃
The king said to Queen Esther, “In the capital city of Shushan, the Yehudim killed and annihilated five hundren men, and Haman’s ten sons, so in the remaining territories of the king, [imagine] what they have done. Now, whatever you request shall be granted you, whatever else you wish shall be fulfilled.”
The king said to Queen Esther, “In the capital city of Shushan, the Yehudim killed and annihilated five hundren men, and Haman’s ten sons, so in the remaining territories of the king, [imagine] what they have done. Now, whatever you request shall be granted you, whatever else you wish shall be fulfilled.”
וַתֹּאמֶר אֶסְתֵּר אִם־עַל־הַמֶּלֶךְ טוֹב יִנָּתֵן גַּם־מָחָר לַיְּהוּדִים אֲשֶׁר בְּשׁוּשָׁן לַעֲשׂוֹת כְּדָת הַיּוֹם וְאֵת עֲשֶׂרֶת בְּנֵֽי־הָמָן יִתְלוּ עַל־הָעֵֽץ׃
Esther replied, “If his majesty deems it proper, then let tomorrow, too, be granted to the Yehudim who are in Shushan, to act in accordance with today’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hung from a gallows.”
Esther replied, “If his majesty deems it proper, then let tomorrow, too, be granted to the Yehudim who are in Shushan, to act in accordance with today’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hung from a gallows.”
Rashi
ואת עשרת בני המן יתלו על העץ. אותן שנהרגו:
And let Haman’s ten sons be hung from a gallows. Those who were slain.
וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ לְהֵֽעָשׂוֹת כֵּן וַתִּנָּתֵן דָּת בְּשׁוּשָׁן וְאֵת עֲשֶׂרֶת בְּנֵֽי־הָמָן תָּלֽוּ׃
The king gave word for this to be done. The decree was proclaimed in Shushan, and Haman’s ten sons were hung.
The king gave word for this to be done. The decree was proclaimed in Shushan, and Haman’s ten sons were hung.
Rashi
ותנתן דת. נגזר חוק מאת המלך:
The decree was proclaimed. A statute was decreed by the king.
וַיִּֽקָּהֲלוּ (היהודיים) [הַיְּהוּדִים] אֲשֶׁר־בְּשׁוּשָׁן גַּם בְּיוֹם אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר לְחֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר וַיַּֽהַרְגוּ בְשׁוּשָׁן שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ וּבַבִּזָּה לֹא שָׁלְחוּ אֶת־יָדָֽם׃
The Yehudim who were in Shushan assembled also on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and killed, in Shushan, three hundren men, but they did not lay their hand on the spoils.
The Yehudim who were in Shushan assembled also on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and killed, in Shushan, three hundren men, but they did not lay their hand on the spoils.
וּשְׁאָר הַיְּהוּדִים אֲשֶׁר בִּמְדִינוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ נִקְהֲלוּ ׀ וְעָמֹד עַל־נַפְשָׁם וְנוֹחַ מֵאֹיְבֵיהֶם וְהָרוֹג בְּשֹׂנְאֵיהֶם חֲמִשָּׁה וְשִׁבְעִים אָלֶף וּבַבִּזָּה לֹא שָֽׁלְחוּ אֶת־יָדָֽם׃
Now the remaining Yehudim who were in the king’s colonies assembled and stood in defense of their lives, bringing deliverance from their enemies killing seventy-five thousand of their antagonists. But they did not lay their hands on the spoils.
Now the remaining Yehudim who were in the king’s colonies assembled and stood in defense of their lives, bringing deliverance from their enemies killing seventy-five thousand of their antagonists. But they did not lay their hands on the spoils.
בְּיוֹם־שְׁלוֹשָׁה עָשָׂר לְחֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר וְנוֹחַ בְּאַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר בּוֹ וְעָשֹׂה אֹתוֹ יוֹם מִשְׁתֶּה וְשִׂמְחָֽה׃
[The victory was] on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, while the deliverance was realized on the fourteenth of the month, making it a day of feasting and rejoicing.
[The victory was] on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, while the deliverance was realized on the fourteenth of the month, making it a day of feasting and rejoicing.
(והיהודיים) [וְהַיְּהוּדִים] אֲשֶׁר־בְּשׁוּשָׁן נִקְהֲלוּ בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁה עָשָׂר בּוֹ וּבְאַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר בּוֹ וְנוֹחַ בַּחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר בּוֹ וְעָשֹׂה אֹתוֹ יוֹם מִשְׁתֶּה וְשִׂמְחָֽה׃
Whereas the Yehudim who were in Shushan assembled on the thirteenth and on the fourteenth of the month, and realized deliverance on the fifteenth of the month, making it a day of feasting and rejoicing.
Whereas the Yehudim who were in Shushan assembled on the thirteenth and on the fourteenth of the month, and realized deliverance on the fifteenth of the month, making it a day of feasting and rejoicing.
עַל־כֵּן הַיְּהוּדִים (הפרוזים) [הַפְּרָזִים] הַיֹּשְׁבִים בְּעָרֵי הַפְּרָזוֹת עֹשִׂים אֵת יוֹם אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר לְחֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר שִׂמְחָה וּמִשְׁתֶּה וְיוֹם טוֹב וּמִשְׁלֹחַ מָנוֹת אִישׁ לְרֵעֵֽהוּ׃ {ס}
For this reason,“unwalled” Yehudim—those who reside in unwalled cities—observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar [as a day of] feasting, rejoicing, and a day of celebration, sending gifts of food to one another.
For this reason,“unwalled” Yehudim—those who reside in unwalled cities—observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar [as a day of] feasting, rejoicing, and a day of celebration, sending gifts of food to one another.
Rashi
הפרוזים. שאינם יושבים בערי חומה בארבעה עשר ומוקפין חומה בט"ו כשושן והיקף זה צריך שיהיה מימות יהושע בן נון כך דרשו ולמדו רבותינו:
Unwalled. Who do not reside in walled cities, [celebrate] on the fourteenth, and those who reside in walled cities [celebrate] on the fifteenth, like Shushan; and [these cities] must have been surrounded [by walls] since the days Yehoshua Bin Nun. So did our Rabbis expound and learn.4Maseches Megillah 2b. Shushan which was without a wall in the time of Yehoshua was accorded special status “because the miracle was performed there.”
ומשלח. שם דבר כמו משמר משמע לפיכך השי"ן נקודה רפי:
Sending. This מִשְׁלֹחַ is a noun like מִשְׁמָר [guarding]5Nechemyah 12:24. and מִשְׁמָע [hearing],6Yeshayah 11:3. therefore the shin is vowelized softly [without a dagesh].
וַיִּכְתֹּב מׇרְדֳּכַי אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַיִּשְׁלַח סְפָרִים אֶל־כׇּל־הַיְּהוּדִים אֲשֶׁר בְּכׇל־מְדִינוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ הַקְּרוֹבִים וְהָרְחוֹקִֽים׃
Mordechai wrote of these matters, and dispatched scrolls to all the Yehudim in all of King Achashverosh’s colonies, those nearby and those distant.
Mordechai wrote of these matters, and dispatched scrolls to all the Yehudim in all of King Achashverosh’s colonies, those nearby and those distant.
Rashi
ויכתב מרדכי. היא המגלה הזאת כמות שהיא:
Mordechai wrote. This scroll [of Esther], as it is [i.e., in its present state].7To ensure the continued annual celebration of the Purim festival.
לְקַיֵּם עֲלֵיהֶם לִהְיוֹת עֹשִׂים אֵת יוֹם אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר לְחֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר וְאֵת יוֹם־חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר בּוֹ בְּכׇל־שָׁנָה וְשָׁנָֽה׃
Mandating that they resolve to permanently observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and the fifteenth day of the month, each and every year.
Mandating that they resolve to permanently observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and the fifteenth day of the month, each and every year.
כַּיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר־נָחוּ בָהֶם הַיְּהוּדִים מֵאֹיְבֵיהֶם וְהַחֹדֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר נֶהְפַּךְ לָהֶם מִיָּגוֹן לְשִׂמְחָה וּמֵאֵבֶל לְיוֹם טוֹב לַעֲשׂוֹת אוֹתָם יְמֵי מִשְׁתֶּה וְשִׂמְחָה וּמִשְׁלֹחַ מָנוֹת אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ וּמַתָּנוֹת לָֽאֶבְיֹנִֽים׃
Corresponding with the days when the Yehudim realized deliverance from their antagonists, and the month which had been transformed for them, from one of anguish to rejoicing, from grief to days of celebration; to observe them as days of feasting and rejoicing, sending gifts of food to one another, and gifts to the poor.
Corresponding with the days when the Yehudim realized deliverance from their antagonists, and the month which had been transformed for them, from one of anguish to rejoicing, from grief to days of celebration; to observe them as days of feasting and rejoicing, sending gifts of food to one another, and gifts to the poor.
וְקִבֵּל הַיְּהוּדִים אֵת אֲשֶׁר־הֵחֵלּוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר־כָּתַב מׇרְדֳּכַי אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
The Yehudim accepted, as binding, the observances that they had begun, and those that Mordechai had mandated in his letter to them.
The Yehudim accepted, as binding, the observances that they had begun, and those that Mordechai had mandated in his letter to them.
כִּי הָמָן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָתָא הָֽאֲגָגִי צֹרֵר כׇּל־הַיְּהוּדִים חָשַׁב עַל־הַיְּהוּדִים לְאַבְּדָם וְהִפִּל פּוּר הוּא הַגּוֹרָל לְהֻמָּם וּֽלְאַבְּדָֽם׃
For Haman, the son of Hamdasa, the Agagite, oppressor of all the Yehudim, thought that he would annihilate the Yehudim. He cast a pur, meaning “lot,” to terrorize, then annihilate them.
For Haman, the son of Hamdasa, the Agagite, oppressor of all the Yehudim, thought that he would annihilate the Yehudim. He cast a pur, meaning “lot,” to terrorize, then annihilate them.
Rashi
כי המן בן המדתא. חשב להומם ולאבדם:
For Haman, the son of Hamdasa. Devised to terrify them and destroy them.
וּבְבֹאָהּ לִפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ אָמַר עִם־הַסֵּפֶר יָשׁוּב מַחֲשַׁבְתּוֹ הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר־חָשַׁב עַל־הַיְּהוּדִים עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ וְתָלוּ אֹתוֹ וְאֶת־בָּנָיו עַל־הָעֵֽץ׃
But when she came before the king, he directed, in writing, that the evil scheme which he intended for the Yehudim rebound against his own head, and they hung him and his sons from a gallows.
But when she came before the king, he directed, in writing, that the evil scheme which he intended for the Yehudim rebound against his own head, and they hung him and his sons from a gallows.
Rashi
ובבאה. אסתר אל המלך להתחנן לו:
But when she came. [When] Esther [came] to the king to appeal to him.
אמר עם הספר. אמר המלך בפיו וצוה לכתוב ספרים שתשוב מחשבתו הרעה בראשו:
He directed in writing. The king stated orally and commanded to write letters that his [Haman’s] wicked scheme should return upon his own head.
עַל־כֵּן קָֽרְאוּ לַיָּמִים הָאֵלֶּה פוּרִים עַל־שֵׁם הַפּוּר עַל־כֵּן עַל־כׇּל־דִּבְרֵי הָאִגֶּרֶת הַזֹּאת וּמָֽה־רָאוּ עַל־כָּכָה וּמָה הִגִּיעַ אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
For this reason, these days are entitled purim, because of the lottery. [They are celebrated] for this reason—because of all that is narrated in this letter. [This letter records] why they saw fit to act in such a way, and what happened to them as a result.
For this reason, these days are entitled purim, because of the lottery. [They are celebrated] for this reason—because of all that is narrated in this letter. [This letter records] why they saw fit to act in such a way, and what happened to them as a result.
Rashi
על כן על כל דברי האגרת הזאת. נקבעו הימים האלה ולכך נכתבה לדעת דורות הבאים:
For this reason ... because of all that is narrated in this letter. These days were designated, and therefore it [the Megillah] was written for the future generations to know.
ומה ראו. עושי המעשים האלו שעשאום:
Why they saw fit. Those who did these deeds, that they did them.
ומה הגיע אליהם. מה ראה אחשורוש שנשתמש בכלי הקודש ומה הגיע עליהם שבא שטן ורקד ביניהם והרג את ושתי, מה ראה המן שנתקנא במרדכי ומה הגיע אליו שתלו אותו ואת בניו, מה ראה מרדכי שלא יכרע ולא ישתחוה ומה ראתה אסתר שזימנה להמן:
And what happened to them as a result. What did Achashveirosh see that he used the sacred vessels, “and what happened to them as a result,” that Satan came and danced among them and slew Vashti. What did Haman see that he became jealous of Mordechai, “and what happened to him as a result,” that they hanged him and his sons. What did Mordechai see that he did not kneel or prostate himself, and what did Esther see that she invited Haman?8Maseches Megillah 19a.
קִיְּמוּ (וקבל) [וְקִבְּלוּ] הַיְּהוּדִים ׀ עֲלֵיהֶם ׀ וְעַל־זַרְעָם וְעַל כׇּל־הַנִּלְוִים עֲלֵיהֶם וְלֹא יַעֲבוֹר לִהְיוֹת עֹשִׂים אֵת שְׁנֵי הַיָּמִים הָאֵלֶּה כִּכְתָבָם וְכִזְמַנָּם בְּכׇל־שָׁנָה וְשָׁנָֽה׃
The Yehudim resolved׀accepting as binding—for themselves, their progeny, and anyone associated with them, never to be changed, that they would observe these two days, as written, and at the proper time each year.
The Yehudim resolved׀accepting as binding—for themselves, their progeny, and anyone associated with them, never to be changed, that they would observe these two days, as written, and at the proper time each year.
Rashi
הנלוים עליהם. גרים העתידים להתגייר:
Anyone associated with them. Proselytes who are destined to convert to Judaism.9They too were affected by Haman’s decree because he tried to destroy the nation they would embrace at a future time.
ככתבם. שתהא המגילה כתובה כתב אשורית:
As written. That the Scroll [of Esther] should be written in the Ashuri script.10Ibid.
וְהַיָּמִים הָאֵלֶּה נִזְכָּרִים וְנַעֲשִׂים בְּכׇל־דּוֹר וָדוֹר מִשְׁפָּחָה וּמִשְׁפָּחָה מְדִינָה וּמְדִינָה וְעִיר וָעִיר וִימֵי הַפּוּרִים הָאֵלֶּה לֹא יַֽעַבְרוּ מִתּוֹךְ הַיְּהוּדִים וְזִכְרָם לֹא־יָסוּף מִזַּרְעָֽם׃ {ס}
These days shall be recalled and observed in every generation, by every family, in every colony and every city; and these Purim days shall never pass from among the Yehudim, nor their memory depart from their descendants.
These days shall be recalled and observed in every generation, by every family, in every colony and every city; and these Purim days shall never pass from among the Yehudim, nor their memory depart from their descendants.
Rashi
נזכרים. בקריאת מגילה:
Shall be recalled. With the reading of the Scroll [of Esther].11Talmud Yerushalmi Megillah 1:5.
ונעשים. משתה ושמחה ויום טוב לתת מנות ומתנות:
And observed. [As days of] feasting12Ibid. and rejoicing and a holiday, to give portions [of food to friends] and gifts [to the poor].
משפחה ומשפחה. מתאספין יחד ואוכלים ושותין יחד וכך קבלו עליהם שימי הפורים לא יעברו:
By every family. Gathers together and feast and drink together; and so they took upon themselves that the days of Purim would not be revoked.13Midrash Mishlei 9.
וזכרם. קריאת מגילה:
Their memory. The reading of the Scroll [of Esther].
לא יסוף. תרגום שלא יתום דמתרגם עד תום עד דסף וא"א לומר להיות מגזרת (בראשית יט) פן תספה ומגזרת (שמואל א כז) עתה אספה יום אחד שאם כן היה לו לכתוב לא יספה מזרעם:
Should not depart. The Aramaic translation of14There seems to be an error in Rashi’s text because Targum renders לא יסוף as לא ישתיצי. The suggested correct text omits the first two words “תרגום של” [=the Aramaic translation of] from Rashi’s text. (Sifsei Chachomim) יִתּם [= will end], for the Targum of עַד תּם15Bamidbar 32:13. is עַד דְּסָף [until it ended]. But it is impossible to say that it [יָסוּף] is derived from the same root as “lest you perish [תִּסָּפֶה]”16Bereishis 19:17. or from the same root as “I may perish [אֶסָּפֶה] one day,”17I Shmuel 27:1. for if it were so, Scripture should have written לֹּא יִסָּפֶה מִזַּרְעָם.
וַתִּכְתֹּב אֶסְתֵּר הַמַּלְכָּה בַת־אֲבִיחַיִל וּמׇרְדֳּכַי הַיְּהוּדִי אֶת־כׇּל־תֹּקֶף לְקַיֵּם אֵת אִגֶּרֶת הַפֻּרִים הַזֹּאת הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃
Queen Esther, daughter of Avichail, wrote together with Mordechai the Yehudi, with all the power [of their position] confirming this Purim letter a second time.
Queen Esther, daughter of Avichail, wrote together with Mordechai the Yehudi, with all the power [of their position] confirming this Purim letter a second time.
Rashi
את כל תקף. תוקפו של נס של אחשורוש ושל המן ושל מרדכי ושל אסתר [:
With all the power [of their position]. The power of the miracle of Achashveirosh,18Maseches Megillah 19a. of Haman, of Mordechai and of Esther.19Each one was instrumental in the miracle.
השנית. לשנה השנייה חזרו ושלחו ספרים שיעשו פורים:
A second time. In the second year they again sent letters that they should celebrate Purim.
וַיִּשְׁלַח סְפָרִים אֶל־כׇּל־הַיְּהוּדִים אֶל־שֶׁבַע וְעֶשְׂרִים וּמֵאָה מְדִינָה מַלְכוּת אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ דִּבְרֵי שָׁלוֹם וֶאֱמֶֽת׃
Scrolls were dispatched to all the Yehudim, to the one hundred and twenty-seven colonies of Achashveros’s kingdom; words of peace and truth.
Scrolls were dispatched to all the Yehudim, to the one hundred and twenty-seven colonies of Achashveros’s kingdom; words of peace and truth.
לְקַיֵּם אֶת־יְמֵי הַפֻּרִים הָאֵלֶּה בִּזְמַנֵּיהֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר קִיַּם עֲלֵיהֶם מׇרְדֳּכַי הַיְּהוּדִי וְאֶסְתֵּר הַמַּלְכָּה וְכַאֲשֶׁר קִיְּמוּ עַל־נַפְשָׁם וְעַל־זַרְעָם דִּבְרֵי הַצּוֹמוֹת וְזַעֲקָתָֽם׃
To maintain these Purim days at the proper time, as was resolved and confirmed by Mordechai the Yehudi and Queen Esther, and as they had resolved for themselves and their descendants; [commemorating] the incidents of the fasts and their cries.
To maintain these Purim days at the proper time, as was resolved and confirmed by Mordechai the Yehudi and Queen Esther, and as they had resolved for themselves and their descendants; [commemorating] the incidents of the fasts and their cries.
וּמַאֲמַר אֶסְתֵּר קִיַּם דִּבְרֵי הַפֻּרִים הָאֵלֶּה וְנִכְתָּב בַּסֵּֽפֶר׃ {ס}
On the basis of Esther’s request, these Purim matters were perpetuated, and inscribed in a scroll.
On the basis of Esther’s request, these Purim matters were perpetuated, and inscribed in a scroll.
Rashi
ומאמר אסתר קים וגו'. אסתר בקשה מאת חכמי הדור לקבעה ולכתוב ספר זה עם שאר הכתובים וזהו ונכתב בספר:
On the basis of Esther’s request [these Purim matters] were perpetuated, etc. Esther requested of the Sages of the generation to commemorate her and to write this book with the rest of the Scriptures, and that is the meaning of “and inscribed in the book.”20Maseches Megillah 7a.
ועשי המלאכה. אותם שהיו ממונים לעשות צרכי המלך:
And the executive staff. Those who were appointed to conduct the king’s affairs.