# From **The Secrets of Chumash with Rabbi Shnayor Burton** by R Shnayor Burton. - **Published:** Fri, 15 Mar 2024 03:39:22 GMT - **Duration:** 00:38:07 - **Audio:** https://anchor.fm/s/121d3e60/podcast/play/84064510/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2024-2-17%2Fa75de7e4-470e-bfa2-b2ee-51ec0637378f.mp3 - **Page:** https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/shnayor-burton9/episodes/Esther-01-Persian-Kings-and-Davidic-Kings-Ahasuerus-as-Ironic-Anti-hero-e2h3upu - **TorahApp:** https://torahapp.org/share/p/3P_r_shnayor_burton_secrets_of_chumash/e/98564182-446e-4758-b20c-d28fde959cae Highlights:

1:30 Why is the story of the Megillah framed as a narrative of Ahasuerus' kingship? 6:45 The focus on the hapless Persian king is meant ironically and reminds us that we long for a Davidic king 9:00 The prophet Hagai predicted the overthrow of the Persian Empire and the reinstitution of a Davidic monarch 11:30 2 potential ways for the Jews to return to Zion: under the rule of a Davidic king, independently, or under the rule of a Persian king 15:00 Haman's decree against the Jews of Judea and Jerusalem according to the book of Ezra 18:40 Two different perspectives on Haman's decree: Was the problem only that he wouldn't allow the Jews to rebuild the Temple, or was the problem that he declared genocide on the Jewish people? 24:30 Ahasuerus' concern about losing political power if he would allow the Jews to rebuild the Temple 26:00 The fickle positions of power of Mordechai and Esther 29:00 Mordechai sought peace and good for the Jewish people, but all while under the dominion of a Persian king 32:00 Overturning the Persian throne and the reversal that brought the Jews to rule over their enemies 35:40 The powerful Jew in the court of the idolatrous king doesn't guarantee safety

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