By Vered Hollander-Goldfarb

The story of Esther presents a situation previously unknown in the biblical period. Never before had an independent community of Jews existed, willingly, outside the Land of Israel, at the time that there was a formal Jewish community there. What sources could such a community draw on to give its existence a positive and legitimate image? Not surprisingly, the Megilah story shows many similarities to the story of Joseph, the catalyst of the events that led to the first exile, in Egypt.

Significantly, both stories are driven by human desire ignited by physical beauty. Joseph might have lived out his days as a servant to Potifar if not for his good looks. True to biblical form, in both stories human beauty works against its “bearer.”  A figure of authority and power, Potifar’s wife desires Joseph because of his fine form. His refusal lands him in prison, a treatment apparently reserved for high ranking officials (others were probably beheaded.) From the prison Joseph rises to high rank in the palace, second to the Pharaoh. In the story of Esther it is the king’s desire for a beautiful queen that gives her a ticket into the harem, a gilded prison for the many women being considered and tested for the job. But Esther is chosen and replaces Vashti in the palace.