“Esther did not disclose her family or her people, as

Midrash Rabbah Esther Rabbah 6:12

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 7, 2025

“Esther did not disclose her family or her people, as Mordekhai had commanded her; Esther followed Mordekhai’s instructions, as it was when she was fostered by him” (Esther 2:20).“Esther did not disclose her family” – teaching that she practiced silence for herself, like her ancestor Rachel, who practiced the craft of silence; all her great descendants maintained silence. Rachel adopted the craft of silence – she saw her betrothal gifts in the possession of her sister and she was silent. Benjamin her son practiced silence – know, as his stone in the breast piece was a chalcedony [yashefe], [i.e.,] he had a mouth [yesh peh],16He knew that his brothers had sold Joseph. but was silent. Saul, her grandson17Not literally her grandson, but descendant. – “but the matter of the kingdom…he did not tell him” (I Samuel 10:16). Esther – “Esther did not disclose her family or her people.”

Themes

Patriarchs Kings Esther Tribes Matriarchs

Biblical References

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