## Esther Chapter 2

###### Esther 2:1
[Esther 2:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:1)

אַחַר֙ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה כְּשֹׁ֕ךְ חֲמַ֖ת הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ זָכַ֤ר אֶת־וַשְׁתִּי֙ וְאֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֔תָה וְאֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־נִגְזַ֖ר עָלֶֽיהָ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
After these events, as King Achashverosh’s ire dissipated, he remembered Vashti and how she had acted, and the decree against her.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
After these things, when the wrath of king Aĥashverosh was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
After these things, as the wrath of King Achashverosh abated, he remembered Vashti [and her beauty] and what she had done, and what had been decreed upon her [(and he was sad.)]

**Emoji Megillah:**
After these things, when the wrath of king 🤴🏽 was appeased, he remembered 🙅🏽‍♀️, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.


###### Esther 2:2
[Esther 2:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:2)

וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ נַעֲרֵֽי־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מְשָׁרְתָ֑יו יְבַקְשׁ֥וּ לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ נְעָר֥וֹת בְּתוּל֖וֹת טוֹב֥וֹת מַרְאֶֽה׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
The king’s youthful valets suggested: “Let them seek, for his majesty, young maidens of beautiful appearance.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
Then the king’s servants who ministered to him said, Let fair young virgins be sought for the king:

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the young men of the king, his servants, said to him: Let there be sought for the king maidens, virgins, of beautiful appearance.

**Emoji Megillah:**
Then the king’s servants who ministered to him said, Let fair young virgins be sought for the king:


###### Esther 2:3
[Esther 2:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:3)

וְיַפְקֵ֨ד הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ פְּקִידִים֮ בְּכׇל־מְדִינ֣וֹת מַלְכוּתוֹ֒ וְיִקְבְּצ֣וּ אֶת־כׇּל־נַעֲרָֽה־בְ֠תוּלָ֠ה טוֹבַ֨ת מַרְאֶ֜ה אֶל־שׁוּשַׁ֤ן הַבִּירָה֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית הַנָּשִׁ֔ים אֶל־יַ֥ד הֵגֶ֛א סְרִ֥יס הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַנָּשִׁ֑ים וְנָת֖וֹן תַּמְרֻקֵיהֶֽן׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
And let his majesty appoint officials in all the colonies of his kingdom, who shall assemble all the young maidens of beautiful appearance at the capital city of Shushan, in the harem residence, in the custody of his majesty’s enunuch Heige, the harem overseer, and let them be supplied with their cosmetics.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins to Shushan the capital, to the house of the women, to the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their ointment be given them:

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And let the king appoint appointees [(each of whom generally knows the beautiful women in his province)] in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather every maiden who is a virgin and of beautiful appearance to Shushan, the capital, to the harem, to Haigeh, the king's eunuch, keeper of the women, to provide their ointments.

**Emoji Megillah:**
and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins to Shushan the 🏛️, to the 🏠 of the women, to the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their 💅 be given them:


###### Esther 2:4
[Esther 2:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:4)

וְהַֽנַּעֲרָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּיטַב֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ תִּמְלֹ֖ךְ תַּ֣חַת וַשְׁתִּ֑י וַיִּיטַ֧ב הַדָּבָ֛ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וַיַּ֥עַשׂ כֵּֽן׃{פ}

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
And the young woman whom his majesty views with approval shall reign in place of Vashti.” This suggestion was viewed favorably by the king, and he implemented it.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
and let the girl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the maiden who finds favor in the eyes of the kind shall reign in place of Vashti. And the thing was good in the eyes of the king, and he did so.

**Emoji Megillah:**
and let the 👧🏽 who pleases the king be queen instead of 🙅🏽‍♀️. And the thing 😃 the king; and he did so.


###### Esther 2:5
[Esther 2:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:5)

אִ֣ישׁ יְהוּדִ֔י הָיָ֖ה בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֑ה וּשְׁמ֣וֹ מׇרְדֳּכַ֗י בֶּ֣ן יָאִ֧יר בֶּן־שִׁמְעִ֛י בֶּן־קִ֖ישׁ אִ֥ישׁ יְמִינִֽי׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
There was a Yehudite man in the capital city of Shushan. His name: Mordechai, son of Yair, son of Shim’i, son of Kish, a Binyaminite man.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
Now in Shushan the capital there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordokhay, the son of Ya᾽ir, the son of Shim῾i, the son of Qish, a Binyaminite;

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And a man of Judah [i.e., one of those exiled with the kings of Judah] was in Shushan; and his name was Mordecai the son of Yair the son of Shimmi the son of Kish, a Benjamite,

**Emoji Megillah:**
Now in Shushan the 🏛️ there was a certain ✡️, whose name was 👳🏽‍♂️, the son of Ya᾽ir, the son of Shim῾i, the son of Qish, a Binyaminite;


###### Esther 2:6
[Esther 2:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:6)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר הׇגְלָה֙ מִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔יִם עִם־הַגֹּלָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הׇגְלְתָ֔ה עִ֖ם יְכׇנְיָ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶגְלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר מֶ֥לֶךְ בָּבֶֽל׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
Who was exiled from Jerusalem with the captives exiled with Yechaniah, king of Yehudah, driven into exile by Nevuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
who had been exiled from Yerushalayim with the captivity which had been carried away into exile with Yekhonya king of Yehuda, whom Nevukhadneżżar the king of Bavel had carried away into exile.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
who was exiled from Jerusalem with the exile which was exiled with Yechanyah, king of Judah, which was exiled by Nevuchadnezzar, king of Bavel.

**Emoji Megillah:**
who had been exiled from Yerushalayim with the captivity which had been carried away into exile with Yekhonya king of Yehuda, whom Nevukhadneżżar the king of Bavel had carried away into exile.


###### Esther 2:7
[Esther 2:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:7)

וַיְהִ֨י אֹמֵ֜ן אֶת־הֲדַסָּ֗ה הִ֤יא אֶסְתֵּר֙ בַּת־דֹּד֔וֹ כִּ֛י אֵ֥ין לָ֖הּ אָ֣ב וָאֵ֑ם וְהַנַּעֲרָ֤ה יְפַת־תֹּ֙אַר֙ וְטוֹבַ֣ת מַרְאֶ֔ה וּבְמ֤וֹת אָבִ֙יהָ֙ וְאִמָּ֔הּ לְקָחָ֧הּ מׇרְדֳּכַ֛י ל֖וֹ לְבַֽת׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
He was the foster parent of Hadassah—this was his cousin Esther—as she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was beautiful in form and appearance, and when her father and mother died, Mordechai adopted her as a daughter.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And he brought up Hadassa, that is, Ester, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the girl was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordokhay took her for his own daughter.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And he had raised Hadassah — she is Esther — his uncle's daughter, for she had no father and mother. And the maiden was beautiful of form and beautiful of appearance, and when her father and mother had died, Mordecai had taken her for himself as a daughter [i.e., for a wife].

**Emoji Megillah:**
And he brought up 🌿, that is, 👸🏽, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the 👧🏽 was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, 👳🏽‍♂️ took her for his own daughter.


###### Esther 2:8
[Esther 2:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:8)

וַיְהִ֗י בְּהִשָּׁמַ֤ע דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וְדָת֔וֹ וּֽבְהִקָּבֵ֞ץ נְעָר֥וֹת רַבּ֛וֹת אֶל־שׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָ֖ה אֶל־יַ֣ד הֵגָ֑י וַתִּלָּקַ֤ח אֶסְתֵּר֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֶל־יַ֥ד הֵגַ֖י שֹׁמֵ֥ר הַנָּשִֽׁים׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
Now it happened, when the king’s edict, his bylaw, was made public, and a large number of young women were gathered at the capital city of Shushan, in the custody of Heigai, that Esther was brought to the royal palace, in the custody of Heigai, the harem overseer.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree were heard, and when many young girls were gathered together to Shushan the capital, to the custody of Hegay, that Ester was brought also to the king’s house, to the custody of Hegay, keeper of the women.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And it was, when the king's edict and his ordinance were heard, and when many maidens were gathered into Shushan, the capital, to Haigai, that Esther was taken to the house of the king, to Haigai, the keeper of the women.

**Emoji Megillah:**
So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree were heard, and when many young 👧🏽 were gathered together to Shushan the 🏛️, to the custody of 👨‍🎨, that 👸🏽 was brought also to the king’s 🏠, to the custody of 👨‍🎨, keeper of the women.


###### Esther 2:9
[Esther 2:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:9)

וַתִּיטַ֨ב הַנַּעֲרָ֣ה בְעֵינָיו֮ וַתִּשָּׂ֣א חֶ֣סֶד לְפָנָיו֒ וַ֠יְבַהֵ֠ל אֶת־תַּמְרוּקֶ֤יהָ וְאֶת־מָנוֹתֶ֙הָ֙ לָתֵ֣ת לָ֔הּ וְאֵת֙ שֶׁ֣בַע הַנְּעָר֔וֹת הָרְאֻי֥וֹת לָֽתֶת־לָ֖הּ מִבֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיְשַׁנֶּ֧הָ וְאֶת־נַעֲרוֹתֶ֛יהָ לְט֖וֹב בֵּ֥ית הַנָּשִֽׁים׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
He viewed the young woman favorably, and she gained his benevolence. He eagerly delivered her cosmetics and her clothing allowance to her also the seven special maidservants assigned to her from the royal household staff. He favored her and her maidservants with preferential treatment at the harem residence.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And the girl pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her ointments, and her appointed rations, and the seven maids chosen to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he advanced her and her maids to the best place in the house of the women.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the maiden was good in his eyes, and she found favor before him, and he rushed [(more than for all the others)] to provide her with her ointments and her potions and with the seven maidens allotted her from the king's house; and he transformed her and her maidens to the finest in the harem.

**Emoji Megillah:**
And the 👧🏽 😃 him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her 💅, and her appointed rations, and the 7️⃣ maids chosen to be given her, out of the king’s 🏠: and he advanced her and her maids to the best place in the 🏠 of the women.


###### Esther 2:10
[Esther 2:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:10)

לֹא־הִגִּ֣ידָה אֶסְתֵּ֔ר אֶת־עַמָּ֖הּ וְאֶת־מֽוֹלַדְתָּ֑הּ כִּ֧י מׇרְדֳּכַ֛י צִוָּ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־תַגִּֽיד׃{ס}

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
Esther did not reveal [the identity of] her people or her heritage, since Mordechai had instructed her not to reveal it.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
Ester had not made known her people or her descent: for Mordokhay had charged her that she should not tell.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
Esther did not reveal her people or her kindred, for Mordecai had charged her not to do so, [(hoping that they regard her as a commoner and send her away. For if it were known that she was a descendant of King Saul, they would certainly not let her go.)]

**Emoji Megillah:**
👸🏽 had not made known her people or her descent: for 👳🏽‍♂️ had charged her that she should not tell.


###### Esther 2:11
[Esther 2:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:11)

וּבְכׇל־י֣וֹם וָי֔וֹם מׇרְדֳּכַי֙ מִתְהַלֵּ֔ךְ לִפְנֵ֖י חֲצַ֣ר בֵּית־הַנָּשִׁ֑ים לָדַ֙עַת֙ אֶת־שְׁל֣וֹם אֶסְתֵּ֔ר וּמַה־יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה בָּֽהּ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
Each and every day, Mordechai would pace before the courtyard of the harem residence, to apprise himself of Esther’s welfare, and of what would be done with her.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And Mordokhay walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Ester did, and what should become of her.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And every day Mordecai would walk in the courtyard of the harem to know how Esther fared and what would be done with her, [(Mordecai the tzaddik realizing that something of this nature could have befallen one so saintly as Esther only to render her an instrument in the salvation of Israel)].

**Emoji Megillah:**
And 👳🏽‍♂️ walked every day before the court of the women’s 🏠, to know how 👸🏽 did, and what should become of her.


###### Esther 2:12
[Esther 2:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:12)

וּבְהַגִּ֡יעַ תֹּר֩ נַעֲרָ֨ה וְנַעֲרָ֜ה לָב֣וֹא**׀** אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ מִקֵּץ֩ הֱי֨וֹת לָ֜הּ כְּדָ֤ת הַנָּשִׁים֙ שְׁנֵ֣ים עָשָׂ֣ר חֹ֔דֶשׁ כִּ֛י כֵּ֥ן יִמְלְא֖וּ יְמֵ֣י מְרוּקֵיהֶ֑ן שִׁשָּׁ֤ה חֳדָשִׁים֙ בְּשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמֹּ֔ר וְשִׁשָּׁ֤ה חֳדָשִׁים֙ בַּבְּשָׂמִ֔ים וּבְתַמְרוּקֵ֖י הַנָּשִֽׁים׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
When the time arrived for each of the young women to be admitted to King Achashverosh, at the end of her participation in the course for women which lasted twelve months—for they were annointed, during their cosmetic treatment, with the following: six months with balm of myrrh, and six months with aromatic ointments and other womanly cosmetics.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
Now when every girl’s turn was come to go in to king Aĥashverosh, after she had been twelve months under the regulations for the women, (for so were the days of their anointing, namely, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other ointments of the women;)

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And when there arrived the turn of each maiden to come to King Achashverosh, after the expiration of twelve months, according to the ordinance of the women — for this was the complement of the days of their anointing, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and with the women's ointments —

**Emoji Megillah:**
Now when every 👧🏽’s turn was come to go in to king 🤴🏽, after she had been twelve 🌜 under the regulations for the women, (for so were the days of their anointing, namely, six 🌜 with oil of myrrh, and six 🌜 with sweet odours, and with other 💅 of the women;)


###### Esther 2:13
[Esther 2:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:13)

וּבָזֶ֕ה הַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה בָּאָ֣ה אֶל־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ אֵת֩ כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר תֹּאמַ֜ר יִנָּ֤תֵֽן לָהּ֙ לָב֣וֹא עִמָּ֔הּ מִבֵּ֥ית הַנָּשִׁ֖ים עַד־בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
This is how the young woman would be admitted to the king: whatever she requested would be provided to accompany her from the harem residence to the royal palace.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
this is how the girl would come to the king: whatever she desired would be given her to take with her out of the house of the women into the king’s house:

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
with this, the maiden would come to the king. Anything that she asked for [e.g., music and other entertainment] was given her to take with her from the harem to the house of the king.

**Emoji Megillah:**
this is how the 👧🏽 would come to the king: whatever she desired would be given her to take with her out of the 🏠 of the women into the king’s 🏠:


###### Esther 2:14
[Esther 2:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:14)

בָּעֶ֣רֶב**׀** הִ֣יא בָאָ֗ה וּ֠בַבֹּ֠קֶר הִ֣יא שָׁבָ֞ה אֶל־בֵּ֤ית הַנָּשִׁים֙ שֵׁנִ֔י אֶל־יַ֧ד שַֽׁעַשְׁגַ֛ז סְרִ֥יס הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים לֹא־תָב֥וֹא עוֹד֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּ֣י אִם־חָפֵ֥ץ בָּ֛הּ הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְנִקְרְאָ֥ה בְשֵֽׁם׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
She would arrive in the evening and return in the morning, to a second harem residence, in the custody of Sha’ashgaz, the king’s eunuch, overseer of the concubines. She would no longer be admitted to the king unless the king desired her, when she would be summoned by name.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
in the evening she would go, and on the morrow she would return to the second house of the women, to the custody of Sha῾ashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, who kept the concubines: she would come in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
In the evening she would come, and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to Sha'ashgaz, the king's eunuch, keeper of the concubines. She would not come again to the king unless the king desired her and she were called by name.

**Emoji Megillah:**
in the 🌇 she would go, and on the morrow she would return to the 2️⃣ 🏠 of the women, to the custody of Sha῾ashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, who kept the concubines: she would come in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she were 🗣️ by name.


###### Esther 2:15
[Esther 2:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:15)

וּבְהַגִּ֣יעַ תֹּר־אֶסְתֵּ֣ר בַּת־אֲבִיחַ֣יִל דֹּ֣ד מׇרְדֳּכַ֡י אֲשֶׁר֩ לָקַֽח־ל֨וֹ לְבַ֜ת לָב֣וֹא אֶל־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ לֹ֤א בִקְשָׁה֙ דָּבָ֔ר כִּ֠י אִ֣ם אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֹאמַ֛ר הֵגַ֥י סְרִיס־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַנָּשִׁ֑ים וַתְּהִ֤י אֶסְתֵּר֙ נֹשֵׂ֣את חֵ֔ן בְּעֵינֵ֖י כׇּל־רֹאֶֽיהָ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
When the time arrived for Esther, the daughter of Avichayil, the uncle of Mordechai, whom he had adopted as a daughter, to be admitted to the king, she requested nothing save what was suggested by Heigai, the king’s eunuch, the harem overseer. Esther was regarded with favor by everyone who beheld her.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
Now when the turn of Ester, the daughter of Aviĥayil the uncle of Mordokhay, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegay the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Ester obtained favour in the sight of all those who looked upon her.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And when there arrived the turn of Esther, the daughter of Avichayil, the wife of Mordecai, who had taken her for himself as a daughter, to come to the king, she requested nothing, but only what Haigai, the king's eunuch, the keeper of the women, had said. And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her.

**Emoji Megillah:**
Now when the turn of 👸🏽, the daughter of Aviĥayil the uncle of 👳🏽‍♂️, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what 👨‍🎨 the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And 👸🏽 obtained favour in the sight of all those who looked upon her.


###### Esther 2:16
[Esther 2:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:16)

וַתִּלָּקַ֨ח אֶסְתֵּ֜ר אֶל־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית מַלְכוּת֔וֹ בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הָעֲשִׂירִ֖י הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ טֵבֵ֑ת בִּשְׁנַת־שֶׁ֖בַע לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
Esther was brought to King Achashverosh, into his royal palace, in the tenth month—that is, the month of Teves—during the seventh year of his reign.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
So Ester was taken to king Aĥashverosh into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tevet, in the seventh year of his reign.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And Esther was taken to King Achashverosh, to his palace, in the tenth month, the month of Teveth, in the seventh year of his reign.

**Emoji Megillah:**
So 👸🏽 was taken to king 🤴🏽 into his royal 🏠 in the 🔟 🌜, which is the 🌜 Tevet, in the 7️⃣ year of his reign.


###### Esther 2:17
[Esther 2:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:17)

וַיֶּאֱהַ֨ב הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֶת־אֶסְתֵּר֙ מִכׇּל־הַנָּשִׁ֔ים וַתִּשָּׂא־חֵ֥ן וָחֶ֛סֶד לְפָנָ֖יו מִכׇּל־הַבְּתוּל֑וֹת וַיָּ֤שֶׂם כֶּֽתֶר־מַלְכוּת֙ בְּרֹאשָׁ֔הּ וַיַּמְלִיכֶ֖הָ תַּ֥חַת וַשְׁתִּֽי׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
The king loved Esther more than all the women, she gained his favor and his benevolence more than all the maidens, so he placed the royal crown upon her head, and coronated her in place of Vashti.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And the king loved Ester more than all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the king loved Esther more than all the women [(the non-virgins, whom he also gathered)], and she found favor and grace before him more than all the virgins. And he placed the crown of kingdom upon her head, and he made her queen in place of Vashti.

**Emoji Megillah:**
And the king 😍 👸🏽 more than all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal 👑 upon her head, and made her queen instead of 🙅🏽‍♀️.


###### Esther 2:18
[Esther 2:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:18)

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ מִשְׁתֶּ֣ה גָד֗וֹל לְכׇל־שָׂרָיו֙ וַעֲבָדָ֔יו אֵ֖ת מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה אֶסְתֵּ֑ר וַהֲנָחָ֤ה לַמְּדִינוֹת֙ עָשָׂ֔ה וַיִּתֵּ֥ן מַשְׂאֵ֖ת כְּיַ֥ד הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
The king tendered a magnificent feast for all of his ministers and servants—the feast of Esther. He waived the colonial taxes, and lavished gifts with majestic largesse.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
Then the king made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, Ester’s feast; and he granted a remission of taxes to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the king made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, the feast of Esther, and he granted a (tax) remission to the provinces, and he gave gifts according to the (lavish) hand of the king [(in her honor — all this, to induce her to reveal her kindred, but still,)],

**Emoji Megillah:**
Then the king made a great 🎉 for all his princes and his servants, 👸🏽’s 🎉; and he granted a remission of taxes to the provinces, and gave 🎁, according to the state of the king.


###### Esther 2:19
[Esther 2:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:19)

וּבְהִקָּבֵ֥ץ בְּתוּל֖וֹת שֵׁנִ֑ית וּמׇרְדֳּכַ֖י יֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּשַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
When the maidens were gathered a second time, Mordechai sat at the gateway to the king.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordokhay was sitting at the king’s gate.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
when virgins were gathered a second time — Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate [(and "sending signals" to her to remain firm in her resolve)] —

**Emoji Megillah:**
And when the virgins were gathered together the 2️⃣ 🕰️, 👳🏽‍♂️ was sitting at the king’s ⛩️.


###### Esther 2:20
[Esther 2:20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:20)

אֵ֣ין אֶסְתֵּ֗ר מַגֶּ֤דֶת מֽוֹלַדְתָּהּ֙ וְאֶת־עַמָּ֔הּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ מׇרְדֳּכָ֑י וְאֶת־מַאֲמַ֤ר מׇרְדֳּכַי֙ אֶסְתֵּ֣ר עֹשָׂ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר הָיְתָ֥ה בְאׇמְנָ֖ה אִתּֽוֹ׃{ס}

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
Esther would not reveal [the identity of] her heritage or her people, just as Mordechai had directed her. Esther followed Mordechai’s bidding, just as she did when she was reared by him.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
Ester had not yet made known her kindred or her people; as Mordokhay had charged her: for Ester carried out the bidding of Mordokhay, just as when she was brought up with him.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
Esther did not reveal her kindred and her people, as Mordecai had charged her. And the word of Mordecai, Esther obeyed, as she had in being reared by him.

**Emoji Megillah:**
👸🏽 had not yet made known her kindred or her people; as 👳🏽‍♂️ had charged her: for 👸🏽 carried out the bidding of 👳🏽‍♂️, just as when she was brought up with him.


###### Esther 2:21
[Esther 2:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:21)

בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם וּמׇרְדֳּכַ֖י יוֹשֵׁ֣ב בְּשַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ קָצַף֩ בִּגְתָ֨ן וָתֶ֜רֶשׁ שְׁנֵֽי־סָרִיסֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מִשֹּׁמְרֵ֣י הַסַּ֔ף וַיְבַקְשׁוּ֙ לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ יָ֔ד בַּמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹֽשׁ׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
In those days, when Mordechai sat at the gateway to the king, Bigsan and Seresh became enraged—they were two of the king’s stewards, of the guardians of the entrance [to his dwelling]—and sought to assault King Achashverosh.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
In those days, while Mordokhay sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigtan and Teresh, of those who kept the door, became disaffected, and sought to lay hands on the king Aĥashverosh.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
In those days, when Mordecai sat in the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, of the keepers of the door, were angered, and they sought to send a hand against King Achashverosh [i.e., to poison him].

**Emoji Megillah:**
In those days, while 👳🏽‍♂️ sat in the king’s ⛩️, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigtan and Teresh, of those who kept the 🚪, became disaffected, and sought to lay ✋ on the king 🤴🏽.


###### Esther 2:22
[Esther 2:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:22)

וַיִּוָּדַ֤ע הַדָּבָר֙ לְמׇרְדֳּכַ֔י וַיַּגֵּ֖ד לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה וַתֹּ֧אמֶר אֶסְתֵּ֛ר לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בְּשֵׁ֥ם מׇרְדֳּכָֽי׃

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
The matter was apprehended by Mordechai, who reported it to Queen Esther. Esther related it to the king in Mordechai’s name.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And the thing became known to Mordokhay, who told it to Ester the queen; and Ester reported it to the king in Mordokhay’s name.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the thing became known to Mordecai [(They spoke before him in Tarsian, not realizing that Mordecai [(who had sat on the Sanhedrin) was conversant in seventy languages)], and he told Esther the queen; and Esther told it to the king in the name of Mordecai.

**Emoji Megillah:**
And the thing became known to 👳🏽‍♂️, who told it to 👸🏽 the queen; and 👸🏽 reported it to the king in 👳🏽‍♂️’s name.


###### Esther 2:23
[Esther 2:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Esther/r/2:23)

וַיְבֻקַּ֤שׁ הַדָּבָר֙ וַיִּמָּצֵ֔א וַיִּתָּל֥וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־עֵ֑ץ וַיִּכָּתֵ֗ב בְּסֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃{פ}

**The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001:**
The matter was investigated and verified, and both were hung from a gallows. This was inscribed in the book of archives in the presence of the king.

**The Koren Jerusalem Bible:**
And when inquiry was made of the matter, it was found out; so that they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.

**The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein:**
And the thing was sought out, and it was found (to be true), and both of them were hanged on a tree. And it [(Mordecai's benefaction)] to the king)] was recorded in the book of chronicles before the king.

**Emoji Megillah:**
And when inquiry was made of the matter, it was found out; so that they were both hanged on a 🌴: and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.