It wasn't exactly a walk in the park.
Now, we know Esther was a woman of inner beauty, right? But apparently, that didn't cut it with everyone. Hegai, the chief eunuch in charge of the harem, he wasn't convinced. He had a problem. You see, Esther, in her humility, wasn't exactly slathering herself in creams and potions or primping for hours. She wasn't playing the game!
Hegai feared the king would notice Esther's...shall we say, "unadorned" appearance, and blame him! And in those days, royal displeasure could land you in serious trouble—like, gallows-serious.
So, what did Hegai do? He went all-in on Operation: Dazzle Esther. He piled her high with magnificent jewels, making her stand out from all the other women vying for the king's attention. He distinguished her above all others.
It’s interesting, isn’t it? This act of Hegai, loading Esther down with finery, almost echoes the story of Joseph and his brother Benjamin. As Ginzberg retells in Legends of the Jews, Joseph showered Benjamin with costly gifts, setting him apart from the other brothers. Was Hegai consciously trying to emulate that act? Or was it just a primal instinct to lavish gifts on someone to elevate their status?
What do you think this says about appearances versus inner qualities? Was Hegai right to prioritize outward beauty in such a situation? And did Esther's inner strength shine through despite the jewels, or because of them? It's a fascinating question to ponder, as we continue to explore the story of Esther.