Esther

This is based on a Biblical story. It has been approved by the late Senior Rabbi Dr. Abraham Levy PhD., and by Dayan Kada. It is central to the Jewish Festival of Purim, which is celebrated at this time.

I was a poor and orphaned girl
thank goodness I had kin.
My uncle Mordecai was nice
he liked me, took me in.

My uncle was a clever man,
spoke languages galore.
He cared for me, and gently too,
I couldn’t ask for more.

He brought me up, a Jewish girl,
of royal blood we came.
He taught me Do what good you can
so Myrtle was my name.

One day at supper, Uncle said,
“The King now has no Queen
Vashti’s struck with leprosy,
she didn’t dare be seen.

The King called but she couldn’t go.
Ha Shem has had his Way.
Her Jewish maids were made to work
upon on the Sabbath day.

I’ll have to keep you safe at home,
away from prying eyes.
You’ll have to stay inside, my dear,
I think it would be wise.”

But then the King decreed that death
would meet the girls who hid
from stewards seeking his new Queen.
I went as I was bid.

My uncle kept his promise though,
he saw me every day.
He was a palace servant,
watching all who passed his way.

He told me not to care too much
about a pretty face.
“‘T’was more important,” so he said
to aim for inner grace.

“You’ll see,” he said, “and so will they.
Your beauty will shine pure.
You’ll be chosen for the Queen,
‘Tis Ha Shem’s will, that’s sure.

Have faith, and this will come to pass
It will, with Ha-Shem’s might.
Do not say you are a Jew
until I say so, right?”

I waited nearly all year long
to show the King my face.
I ate nought but our kosher fare,
he knew not of my race.

Ahasuerus loved me so
I gained a royal crown.
Mordecai waved up to me.
I saw him and waved down!

Two chamberlains now formed a plot
which Uncle learnt about.
I saw that in the court reports
his name was clear spelt out

Now everyone bowed down their head
to Haman, first of all,
but not my uncle, he just said
“Ha-Shem has my first call.”

His spies reported to their boss,
Haman was much annoyed.
He decided then to pay
to have us Jews destroyed.

Letters went to all domains
stamped with the King’s own ring.
“Kill the Jews, kill all of them,
be quick, take everything!”

The Jews lamented, rent their clothes
felt terrible and ill.
“Beseech the king,” my uncle said,
“you’re Queen, that’s Ha-Shem’s will.

Do not think that you’ll escape
if Jews die on that day.
Go and ask your royal lord
for pardon. We will pray!”

I dressed up in my finest clothes
and went unto the King,
“Come my dear,” he kindly said,
“I’ll grant you anything.”

“Do come to sup and dine with me
I’d love it if you can.
Bring Haman, too, if that’s your wish
just him, no other man.”

Haman could have danced with glee,
built gallows, couldn’t wait
for Mordecai who he would hang.
My uncle at the gate!

The next day, ruled our gracious King
“All honour Mordecai.
‘T’was him discovered that foul plot
this is the reason why!”

This setback stuck in Haman’s throat.
Bitterly he sighed.
A touch of fear was there as well,
“What does it mean?” he cried.

The King and Haman came to feast
I pleaded for my life.
“Who is it?” said my angry King,
“Who’s threatening my wife?”

“‘Tis Haman, he has sold the lives
of me and all the Jews.”
“Hang him,” said the king at once.
“That is what I choose!”

If you want to listen to the audio of this story, you can here it here:
https://charlotteswonderfulstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/recording0301.mp3

All text and audio are copyright of me, Charlotte Sebag-Montefiore.