How would you hold onto your identity?
That's the challenge Esther faced, according to Ginzberg’s retelling in Legends of the Jews. She was living in the palace, a world away from the Jewish community. The constant feasts, the endless demands of court life – it was all a blur. How could she remember the Sabbath, that crucial weekly anchor? How could she keep track of the days, each one threatening to melt into the next?
Esther, ever resourceful, devised a clever plan. She couldn't openly observe Jewish customs, not without risking everything. So, she subtly wove her heritage into her daily life. She gave her seven attendants…unusual names. Names that acted as a secret calendar, a hidden reminder of creation itself.
Think about it: On Sundays, Hulta, meaning "Workaday," attended to her. A gentle nudge towards the start of the week. Mondays brought Rok`ita, a reference to Rek`ia, "the Firmament," created on the second day. Tuesday’s maid was called Genunita, "Garden," reminding her of the world of plants brought forth on the third day.
Wednesday was Nehorita's day, her name meaning "the Luminous," echoing the creation of the sun, moon, and stars. Thursday was marked by Ruhshita, "Movement," a subtle nod to the creatures God made on the fifth day. And on Friday, the day the beasts were created, Hurfita, "little Ewelamb," would be in service.
And then came the most important day: the Sabbath. Rego`ita, "Rest," would be there, a living, breathing reminder of the day of peace and reflection. Imagine the quiet satisfaction Esther must have felt each week, as Rego`ita appeared, signaling the arrival of Shabbat.
What a brilliant, subtle, and deeply moving way to stay connected to her faith! She couldn't light candles openly, or attend synagogue, but she could transform her palace into a living, breathing calendar of creation. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? What seemingly small ways can we incorporate reminders of what truly matters into our own busy lives? How can we create our own "Rego`itas" to ensure we never forget to rest and reconnect?