We know him from the Book of Esther, but the rabbinic tradition fills in so much more, painting a richer, more detailed picture of this central figure. It turns out, there's a lot more to him than meets the eye.

For starters, the text emphasizes his strong Jewish identity. He was, in every sense, a son of Judah, unafraid to identify as a Jew. And according to the legends, he even refused to partake in non-kosher food at King Ahasuerus' banquet!

But let’s dive into his names. Names in Jewish tradition are never just labels; they're packed with meaning. "Mordecai" itself, we’re told, is a combination of Mor, meaning "myrrh," and Decai, meaning "pure." So, Mordecai was as refined and noble as pure myrrh. Isn't that beautiful?

He’s also called Ben Jair. Why? Because, as the text says, he "illumined the eyes of Israel." He brought clarity and understanding to the people. He's also referred to as Ben Kish, because when he knocked on the gates of Divine mercy, they opened for him. And linked to this is the name Ben Shimei, hinting that God heard his prayers. See how these names build on each other, layering our understanding?

But perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of Mordecai, according to tradition, was his linguistic prowess. One of his epithets was Bilshan, "master of languages." The text tells us that as a member of the great Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court), he understood all seventy languages spoken in the world!

But it gets even wilder. He supposedly understood the language of the deaf and mute! Ginzberg, in Legends of the Jews, recounts some incredible stories showcasing this ability. Imagine this: once, there was a shortage of new grain at Passover time. A deaf mute communicated with Mordecai using hand gestures, pointing to the roof with one hand and to a cottage with the other. Mordecai, understanding these signs, realized they were referring to a place called Gagot-Zerifim, Cottage-Roofs. And guess what? New grain was indeed found there for the Omer offering!

Another time, a deaf mute pointed to his eye and then to the staple of a door bolt. From this, Mordecai deduced they were referring to a place called En-Soker. Now, En in Aramaic means both "eye" and "spring," and Sikra can mean both "staple" and "exhaustion." Thus, the place name was "dry well." Just incredible.

These aren't just interesting anecdotes. They paint a picture of Mordecai as not just a political figure, but as a deeply wise and perceptive individual, connected to people on a profound level. Someone who could understand not just words, but the unspoken needs and desires of his community.

So, the next time you read the Book of Esther or celebrate Purim, remember these legends. Remember the Bilshan, the master of languages, the one who illuminated the eyes of Israel. It adds a whole new dimension to the story, doesn't it? It makes the story of Purim even more incredible.