Specifically, we're diving into chapter 49, which touches on kings, wealth, and the mysteries of biblical timelines.
Rabbi Jonathan kicks things off by talking about Artaxerxes, the last king of Media who ruled in Babylon. He reigned for 32 years. How do we know? Well, Rabbi Jonathan points us to the Book of Nehemiah (Neh. 13:6), where Nehemiah himself says, "But in all this time I was not in Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes, king of Babylon, I went unto the king." See how they connect the dots? A verse in the Bible becomes a historical marker.
But then, Rabbi Tachanah chimes in, and he wants to talk about wealth – staggering, almost unbelievable wealth. He asks us to consider Ahasuerus, the king from the Book of Esther. According to Rabbi Tachanah, Ahasuerus was richer than all the kings of Media and Persia combined! How rich? Daniel 11:2 says, "And the fourth shall be far richer than they all," and Rabbi Tachanah sees that verse as applying directly to Ahasuerus.
So, what did this unimaginable wealth look like? According to Rabbi Tachanah, Ahasuerus put out couches made of gold and silver right in the streets! Can you even picture that? Just imagine walking down the road and seeing solid gold furniture casually sitting there for everyone to gawk at. The verse in Esther 1:6, "The couches were of gold and silver," is the proof text here.
But the story doesn't stop there. Ahasuerus didn’t just have fancy furniture; he had an entire palace filled with golden vessels! Not silver, mind you, but pure gold. And here's where it gets even more interesting. Remember the vessels from the Beit Hamikdash – the Temple in Jerusalem? Ahasuerus, in his… shall we say, acquisition of treasures, brought those vessels into his palace.
Now, according to Rabbi Tachanah, something strange happened. When the Temple vessels came into Ahasuerus's possession, they changed in appearance. They became dull, almost like lead! The verse in Esther 1:7, "The vessels being diverse one from another," is interpreted to mean that the vessels themselves transformed, losing their original splendor. Was this a sign? A divine commentary on the king's actions?
What does this all tell us? Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer isn't just a history book. It's a tapestry woven with biblical verses, rabbinic interpretations, and a healthy dose of wonder. It uses the stories of kings and their wealth to explore deeper questions about power, piety, and the enduring legacy of the Temple. It's a reminder that even seemingly straightforward historical narratives can be filled with layers of meaning, waiting to be uncovered. And perhaps, just perhaps, a warning about the fleeting nature of earthly riches.