Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg)

2,650 texts · Page 282 of 295

Selections from Louis Ginzberg's monumental Legends of the Jews, a seven-volume compilation that weaves together aggadic material from the Talmud, Midrash, and other rabbinic literature into a continuous narrative.

Kingdom of King Ahasuerus and Vashti

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:30

The Book of Esther, or the Megillah as it's known, tells a tale of hidden identities and near-destruction. But nestled within this dramatic story are glimpses into the values of di...

Esther

Kingdom of Esther and Mordecai

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:31

What are the odds that a Jewish girl would become queen of Persia, just in time to save her people from annihilation? Well, let’s rewind a bit to the very beginning of the Book of ...

Hell/GehennaAdam & EveEstherTemple

Kingdom of Vashti

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:33

The Book of Esther, or Megillat Esther, is full of those moments. And the story of Vashti, the queen who defied a king, is no exception. The Megillah tells us that King Ahasuerus, ...

Hell/GehennaAngelsDanielEsther

Vashti: Kingdom of King Ahasuerus

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:35

The Bible gives us the bare bones, but the legends… they add so much texture. We find Vashti at a massive, opulent party thrown by King Ahasuerus. He wants to show off her beauty t...

EstherTempleWisdomExile

Kingdom of Esther and Ahasuerus

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:36

We all know the story of Ahasuerus, the king, and his ill-fated wife Vashti. But Ahasuerus didn't rule in a vacuum. He had advisors, powerful princes, whispering in his ear. And wh...

EstherHoly Land

Kingdom of Memucan

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:38

He's just one of the seven princes of Persia mentioned in the Book of Esther (Esther 1:14), advisors to King Ahasuerus. But according to some fascinating Jewish traditions, Memucan...

DanielHoly Land

Esther's Transgression and Daniel

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:39

We know the tale: Queen Esther saves the Jewish people from annihilation. But what about Vashti, the queen she replaced? There's more to her story than meets the eye, and the Rabbi...

DanielEstherDivine Names

Kingdom of King Ahasuerus and Esther

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:40

In the Book of Esther, we see how the actions of King Ahasuerus had rippling, unexpected consequences, almost like a cosmic domino effect. We all remember the story. Ahasuerus thro...

Hell/GehennaEstherTemple

Kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar and Vashti

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 12:43

The story runs deeper than that. Some traditions suggest her demise was far from accidental, a kind of cosmic justice. The Megillah, the Scroll of Esther itself, doesn't spell it o...

Hell/GehennaEstherTemple