On Purim, Thinking of Vashti and Esther

In just a couple of days (Saturday, March 15 – Sunday March 16/14-15 Adar) we will be celebrating Purim, a holiday full of good food, costumes, and fun. In broad strokes, Purim is so festive because we remember the bravery and cunning of Mordechai and Esther in saving their people from Haman’s hangman.

However, Purim also invites us to take a look at two important female characters in the story: Vashti and Esther. Vashti, King Ahashverous’s wife at the beginning of the Purim story, refuses to go “before the king with the crown royal, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty; for she was fair to look on” (Megillat Esther 1:11). The motivation behind Vashti’s action are not recorded, however, it is interesting to consider why she would refuse. Perhaps she did not want to be admired merely for her beauty, she did not want her worth to be matched to her appearance. However, her refusal was her downfall: King Ahashverous banished Vashti from his sight and began the search for a new wife. That new wife was Esther, who was also initially chosen for her looks. As you might remember from the story, after Esther becomes the queen, Haman – in his dislike for Mordechai – “said unto king Ahasuerus: “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king's laws; therefore it profiteth not the king to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treasuries” (Megillat Esther 3:8-9). When Esther first learns of this dire problem, she hesitates to take action. After much consideration and prodding, Esther decides to fight for the lives of the Jewish people before her husband the king. Esther is ultimately successful, and saves the Jewish people from destruction. These two women are significant figures in the Jewish cannon. They demonstrate different qualities of leadership and empowerment, but both ultimately value aspects of their identity over what they are perceived to be, look like, or act like. This is an important lesson for especially young women in our society, for whom appearance can seem paramount. Many draw connections between Purim and issues of sexuality, sexual respect, and gender equality. This is a just and reasonable opportunity for us to dig deeper and ask about these questions in our daily lives. Rabbi Toba Spitzer writes in the Huffington Post that Purim is a call to action on the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA). The International Violence Against Women Act, or I-VAWA (H.R.  3571), builds on efforts of the domestic Violence Against Women Act. I-VAWA supports U.S. programs around the globe that help prevent violence, support health and survivor services, encourage legal accountability and a change in public attitudes, promote access to economic opportunity and education for women and girls, and support existing similar initiatives worldwide. Furthermore, I-VAWA would make the issue of violence against women a major diplomatic priority. Take action and encourage your representatives to cosponsor the International Violence Against Women Act!