וְהַֽנַּעֲרָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּיטַב֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ תִּמְלֹ֖ךְ תַּ֣חַת וַשְׁתִּ֑י וַיִּיטַ֧ב הַדָּבָ֛ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וַיַּ֥עַשׂ כֵּֽן׃ (ס)
און די מײדל װאָס װעט װוילגעפֿעלן אין די אױגן פֿון מלך, זאָל װערן די מלכּה אָנשטאָט וַשתּין. און די זאַך איז װוילגעפֿעלן אין די אױגן פֿון מלך, און ער האָט אַזױ געטאָן.
Esther Rabbah
“The young woman who will please the king will reign in place of Vashti. The proposal pleased the king and he did so” (Esther 2:4).
“The young woman who will please the king” – who is fitting for this thing? 15Fit to raise the woman who would be chosen as queen. Mordekhai – “there was a Jewish man in the Shushan citadel, and his name was Mordekhai” (Esther 2:5).16This is the immediately following verse. This and the subsequent passages are all cases where the midrash addresses the juxtaposition of two verses. It asks about the first verse: who is fitting for this thing? It then finds the answer in the next verse.
Similarly, “God saw the children of Israel and God knew” (Exodus 2:25). Who is fitting for this matter? Moses – “And Moses was herding” (Exodus 3:1).
Similarly, “Samuel said to the men of Israel: Go, each man to his city” (I Samuel 8:22). Who is fitting for this thing [to be appointed king]? Saul, as it is stated: “There was a man of Benjamin, and his name was Kish…[and he had a son and his name was Saul…]” (I Samuel 9:1–2).
Similarly, “Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, and they were dismayed and were greatly afraid.” (I Samuel 17:11). Who is fitting for this thing [fighting Goliath]? David – “David was the son of that Efrati [from Bethlehem]” (I Samuel 17:12).
Rabbi Yehoshua bar Aviram said two things. It is written: “He [Yavin king of Canaan] oppressed the children of Israel strongly [beḥozka] for twenty years” (Judges 4:3). What is beḥozka? Rabbi Yitzḥak said: With cursing and blaspheming. That is what is written: “Your words have been harsh against Me” (Malachi 3:13). Who is fitting for this thing? Deborah, as it is written: “Deborah was a prophetess, wife of Lapidot” (Judges 4:4).
Rabbi Yehoshua bar Aviram said another: “The people, the princes of Gilad, said one to another: Who is the man who will begin to wage war against the children of Amon? He will be the head of all the inhabitants of Gilad” (Judges 10:18). Who is fitting for this thing? Yiftaḥ – “Yiftaḥ the Giladite was a mighty warrior” (Judges 11:1).
“The young woman who will please the king” – who is fitting for this thing? 15Fit to raise the woman who would be chosen as queen. Mordekhai – “there was a Jewish man in the Shushan citadel, and his name was Mordekhai” (Esther 2:5).16This is the immediately following verse. This and the subsequent passages are all cases where the midrash addresses the juxtaposition of two verses. It asks about the first verse: who is fitting for this thing? It then finds the answer in the next verse.
Similarly, “God saw the children of Israel and God knew” (Exodus 2:25). Who is fitting for this matter? Moses – “And Moses was herding” (Exodus 3:1).
Similarly, “Samuel said to the men of Israel: Go, each man to his city” (I Samuel 8:22). Who is fitting for this thing [to be appointed king]? Saul, as it is stated: “There was a man of Benjamin, and his name was Kish…[and he had a son and his name was Saul…]” (I Samuel 9:1–2).
Similarly, “Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, and they were dismayed and were greatly afraid.” (I Samuel 17:11). Who is fitting for this thing [fighting Goliath]? David – “David was the son of that Efrati [from Bethlehem]” (I Samuel 17:12).
Rabbi Yehoshua bar Aviram said two things. It is written: “He [Yavin king of Canaan] oppressed the children of Israel strongly [beḥozka] for twenty years” (Judges 4:3). What is beḥozka? Rabbi Yitzḥak said: With cursing and blaspheming. That is what is written: “Your words have been harsh against Me” (Malachi 3:13). Who is fitting for this thing? Deborah, as it is written: “Deborah was a prophetess, wife of Lapidot” (Judges 4:4).
Rabbi Yehoshua bar Aviram said another: “The people, the princes of Gilad, said one to another: Who is the man who will begin to wage war against the children of Amon? He will be the head of all the inhabitants of Gilad” (Judges 10:18). Who is fitting for this thing? Yiftaḥ – “Yiftaḥ the Giladite was a mighty warrior” (Judges 11:1).
Vayikra Rabbah
Another matter, “I will remember My covenant with Jacob” – that is what is written: “You transported a grapevine from Egypt” (Psalms 80:9). Just as this grapevine, one does not plant it on ground with large stones, but rather, one searches the land beneath it [and removes the stones], and only then plants it, so, “You drove out the nations and planted it” (Psalms 80:9).4Only after removing the Canaanite nations from the Land of Israel did God plant Israel there.
Just as this grapevine, the more that you clear from beneath it, [the more] it improves, so, Israel, You cleared all the kings from before them, and then: “[You cleared space for it], and it took root and filled the land” (Psalms 80:10).
Just as this grapevine, one does not plant it in a disorderly fashion, but rather, in rows, so Israel is aligned according to their banners. That is what is written: “Each according to his banner, with the insignias of their patrilineal houses” (Numbers 2:2).
Just as this grapevine is lower than all the trees but dominates all the trees,5It is considered more important than other trees. Alternatively, it climbs on whatever is around, including other trees (Matnot Kehuna). At times, one even uses other trees to create a frame on which the vine should grow (Etz Yosef). the same is true of Israel; they appear as though they are humble in this world, but in the future, they are destined to take possession from one end of the world to the other.
Just as this grapevine, one branch emerges from it and conquers several trees, so, Israel, one righteous person emerges from them and dominates from one end of the world to the other. That is what is written: “Joseph was the ruler” (Genesis 42:6); “The Lord was with Joshua, [his fame was throughout the land]” (Joshua 6:27); “David’s renown circulated in all lands” (I Chronicles 14:17); “Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms” (I Kings 5:1); “For Mordekhai was great in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces” (Esther 9:4).
Just as this grapevine, its leaves cover the grape clusters,6They protect them from the elements. so, Israel, the ignoramuses among them cover the Torah scholars.7They perform labor and provide for the needs of the Torah scholars.
Just as on this grapevine, there are large and small clusters, and one that is larger than another appears as though it is lower than the other, so, Israel, every one of them who toils in Torah and is greater than another in Torah, appears lower than the other.8The greater a person is in Torah, the greater his humility.
Just as this grapevine requires three blessings,9After eating grapes or drinking wine, one recites a blessing that is an abridged form of the first three blessings of Grace after Meals. so, Israel is blessed with three blessings each day: “May the Lord bless you”; “may the Lord illuminate”; “may the Lord lift” (Numbers 6:24–26).
Just as this grapevine there are grapes on it and there are raisins on it, so, Israel, there are, in their midst, masters of Bible, masters of Mishna, masters of Talmud, masters of aggada.
Just as this grapevine, there is wine in it and there is vinegar in it, this requires a blessing and that requires a blessing, so, Israel is obligated to recite a blessing over the good and over the bad; over the good, blessed…who is good and does good; over the bad, blessed…the true Judge.
Just as this wine, anyone who drinks from it, his face shines and anyone who does not drink of it, his teeth become blunt,10He gnashes his teeth in frustration when he sees others enjoying wine (Maharzu). so, Israel, anyone who comes and aligns with them will be rewarded through them.
Just as this grapevine, initially it is trampled underfoot and then it goes onto the table of kings, so Israel appears as though they are loathsome in this world, as it is written: “I have become a laughingstock to all my people, their song all day” (Lamentations 3:14), but in the future: “The Lord your God will place you supreme” (Deuteronomy 28:1), as it is written: “Kings will be your caregivers, and their princesses, your wet nurses” (Isaiah 49:23).
Just as this grapevine improves with each and every transplanting, so, Israel becomes more numerous under each kingdom.
Just as this grapevine is trellised on great cedars, the same is true of Israel, as it is stated: “The mountains were covered with its shade, its branches like cedars of the Almighty” (Psalms 80:11).
Just as this grapevine rests upon a reed, so, Israel rests due to the merit of the Torah that is written with a reed.
Just as this grapevine, its guard stands above it, so, Israel, their Protector is above, as it is stated: “Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps” (Psalms 121:4).
Just as this grapevine rests upon dry branches, but it is moist, so Israel rests due to the merit of their patriarchs, even though they are asleep. That is what is written: “I will remember My covenant with Jacob…” (Leviticus 26:42).
Just as this grapevine, the more that you clear from beneath it, [the more] it improves, so, Israel, You cleared all the kings from before them, and then: “[You cleared space for it], and it took root and filled the land” (Psalms 80:10).
Just as this grapevine, one does not plant it in a disorderly fashion, but rather, in rows, so Israel is aligned according to their banners. That is what is written: “Each according to his banner, with the insignias of their patrilineal houses” (Numbers 2:2).
Just as this grapevine is lower than all the trees but dominates all the trees,5It is considered more important than other trees. Alternatively, it climbs on whatever is around, including other trees (Matnot Kehuna). At times, one even uses other trees to create a frame on which the vine should grow (Etz Yosef). the same is true of Israel; they appear as though they are humble in this world, but in the future, they are destined to take possession from one end of the world to the other.
Just as this grapevine, one branch emerges from it and conquers several trees, so, Israel, one righteous person emerges from them and dominates from one end of the world to the other. That is what is written: “Joseph was the ruler” (Genesis 42:6); “The Lord was with Joshua, [his fame was throughout the land]” (Joshua 6:27); “David’s renown circulated in all lands” (I Chronicles 14:17); “Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms” (I Kings 5:1); “For Mordekhai was great in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces” (Esther 9:4).
Just as this grapevine, its leaves cover the grape clusters,6They protect them from the elements. so, Israel, the ignoramuses among them cover the Torah scholars.7They perform labor and provide for the needs of the Torah scholars.
Just as on this grapevine, there are large and small clusters, and one that is larger than another appears as though it is lower than the other, so, Israel, every one of them who toils in Torah and is greater than another in Torah, appears lower than the other.8The greater a person is in Torah, the greater his humility.
Just as this grapevine requires three blessings,9After eating grapes or drinking wine, one recites a blessing that is an abridged form of the first three blessings of Grace after Meals. so, Israel is blessed with three blessings each day: “May the Lord bless you”; “may the Lord illuminate”; “may the Lord lift” (Numbers 6:24–26).
Just as this grapevine there are grapes on it and there are raisins on it, so, Israel, there are, in their midst, masters of Bible, masters of Mishna, masters of Talmud, masters of aggada.
Just as this grapevine, there is wine in it and there is vinegar in it, this requires a blessing and that requires a blessing, so, Israel is obligated to recite a blessing over the good and over the bad; over the good, blessed…who is good and does good; over the bad, blessed…the true Judge.
Just as this wine, anyone who drinks from it, his face shines and anyone who does not drink of it, his teeth become blunt,10He gnashes his teeth in frustration when he sees others enjoying wine (Maharzu). so, Israel, anyone who comes and aligns with them will be rewarded through them.
Just as this grapevine, initially it is trampled underfoot and then it goes onto the table of kings, so Israel appears as though they are loathsome in this world, as it is written: “I have become a laughingstock to all my people, their song all day” (Lamentations 3:14), but in the future: “The Lord your God will place you supreme” (Deuteronomy 28:1), as it is written: “Kings will be your caregivers, and their princesses, your wet nurses” (Isaiah 49:23).
Just as this grapevine improves with each and every transplanting, so, Israel becomes more numerous under each kingdom.
Just as this grapevine is trellised on great cedars, the same is true of Israel, as it is stated: “The mountains were covered with its shade, its branches like cedars of the Almighty” (Psalms 80:11).
Just as this grapevine rests upon a reed, so, Israel rests due to the merit of the Torah that is written with a reed.
Just as this grapevine, its guard stands above it, so, Israel, their Protector is above, as it is stated: “Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps” (Psalms 121:4).
Just as this grapevine rests upon dry branches, but it is moist, so Israel rests due to the merit of their patriarchs, even though they are asleep. That is what is written: “I will remember My covenant with Jacob…” (Leviticus 26:42).
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer
Rabbi Zechariah said: || Merit is transmitted by the hand of the worthy. By the hand of Daniel the sovereignty was transferred to Esther, because he said to the king, Let not the king weep, since all that thou hast done thou hast done according to the Torah. And whosoever keeps the Torah, the Holy One, blessed be He, preserves his kingdom; for thus the Torah says that the man shall rule his wife, as it is said, "And he shall rule over thee" (Gen. 3:16). The king sent in all the provinces to do according to his words, as it is said, "That every man should bear rule in his own house" (Esth. 1:22). He also said to the king: "Let there be sought for the king fair young virgins" (Esth. 2:2). Not "all young virgins," but "fair young virgins." "And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti" (Esth. 2:4); and it is written elsewhere, "And the maiden pleased him" (Esth. 2:9). This refers to Esther. The Holy One, blessed be He, invested her with grace and love in the eyes of all who saw her. "And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her" (Esth. 2:15 ).