פּירוש אויף אסתר 2:8

“Esther was taken to the royal palace” [2:8]. One can ask about the verse. Why does it need to say that many maidens were taken to Shushan? Esther was taken under the supervision of Hege. We know very well that many maidens were taken. The explanation is that the Scroll shows us that Esther had hidden herself, so that she should not be taken to the king. However, they heard that all the beautiful maidens should be brought and none should be left out. Esther was afraid and therefore it says in Scripture, “and Esther was taken” [2:8]. She was forcibly taken to the house of Hege.²⁵Yalkut Shimoni, Esther, Remez, 1053.