The great modern day Talmudist, Rav Adin Steinsaltz, also wrote a commentary on the Five Megillot. His explanation of the Book of Esther is quite fascinating.

There is one observation that is particularly interesting. Rav Steinsaltz was bothered by the fact that King Achashveirosh got off easy in the way that the Purim story was related. He should have been portrayed as a vicious Jew hater on the level of Haman.

Initially, it was clear that his hatred of the Jews had equaled, or even surpassed the open feelings expressed by Haman. Nevertheless, the narrative of the story was that he was never held accountable for his role.

We see this as well when Achashveirosh tells Esther on three occasions that he was willing to give her up to half of the kingdom. He was implying that he would not give her the half that included Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Second Temple. Rav Steinsaltz answered this question by referring more closely to the text.

Mordechai and Esther were commanded by the king to write the events of the story in the chronicles of Persia and Media.

They could not write all of the actual details of the story, because it would make Achashveirosh look bad. After all, he repented and would ultimately father the son who would rebuild the Temple. It would not be appropriate to show ingratitude to the king who helped save the Jewish people.

It is somewhat ironic that the place where there was a little bit of inaccurate reporting in a place called, “Media.” Is it possible that some “fake news,” originated in Media? Political correctness was a factor as well, but all kidding aside, the overriding motivation of Mordechai and Esther was not to be ingrates, and a student of the Megilla, would be able to understand the accurate details on his own.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)