Angels Behind the Scenes: Hidden Miracles in Esther

The Book of Esther is unique in the Bible, and it is one of my favorites.

Most people are aware that the name of Hashem never appears directly in the text, yet it is obvious that He is everywhere in the story, concealed.¹

Esther teaches us that nothing in life is random. That's one reason this book is so deep. It teaches us to look at our own lives from a different perspective; to pay attention to chance encounters and the micro-catalysts that shape our world.

But the Midrashic tradition on Esther continues to draw this out further in creative and even comical ways. Here we learn that G_D does not act alone, and might even deploy a few Angels² to ensure that history unfolds as planned.

Here are a few of these moments from the tradition.

Vashti's Tail?

Angels can be found intervening in the story of Esther earlier than we might expect.

When Achashverosh summoned Vashti, whose name means beautiful, to present herself before his [presumably drunk] guests, she refused. The Talmud offers a few reasons, one of which claims she broke out in leprosy.

Even more interesting, one opinion cites that the Angel Gabriel afflicted her with a temporary tail³. Either way, she refused to come out of her room and was subsequently removed from the throne.

This created the pretext for Esther's ascension to the Queen of Persia.

In essence, we learn that long before the idea of Haman's decree emerged, G_D had already taken subversive steps to place a Jewish Queen in the palace.

Angels in the Garden, Paradise Lost

Another critical point in the story comes in chapter seven. Esther reveals to King Achashverosh that she and her people are facing annihilation at the hands of Haman.

The King is enraged. To blow off steam, he leaves the scene to stroll through his palace garden.