Prostrate Trouble: Esther’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Prostration is central to Esther’s story.  Mordechai’s refusal to bow and prostrate himself before Haman served as the inspiration of Haman’s genocidal plot against the Jews.  Was Mordechai’s refusal a Ten Commandments’ moment?  

Early in Esther’s story, Haman is promoted by King Ahasuerus to a top position.  Haman’s seat was to be above all the officers who were with him.  Esther 3:1. Per Royal command, the King’s servants were to bow and prostrate themselves before Haman.  Esther 3:2.

After Haman’s promotion. Mordechai developed a prostrate problem; he would neither prostrate nor bow towards Haman.  Esther 3:2.

Mordechai’s failure to perform, for some time, was not a problem.  It only became one when the King’s servants reported it to Haman.  There is some confusion as to what occurs.  Mordechai identifies himself to the king’s servants.  The text does not specifically indicate that Mordechai did not perform the act “because” he was a Jew.  Haman, knowing of Mordechai’s nationality,  became filled with wrath after witnessing the disobedience.  Esther 3:4-5.  

Haman, in the instance, did not personally confront Mordechai over his “personal” actions.  Rather, Haman chose to “destroy all the Jews who were throughout the entire kingdom.”  Esther 3:6.

A Ten Commandments’ Moment?

Esther commentaries in Artscroll realize there was a prostrate problem.  Did the act somehow violate the Ten Commandments? Did it violate Torah law?

There appears to be no consensus as to whether bowing or prostrating towards a governmental official violated the Ten Commandments.

The commentaries, however, in order to make sense of the text, employed midrashic thought. Made-up stories or sheer speculation were introduced to bring understanding.

Thus, idolatry was introduced into the narrative. With this mindset, some midrash suggested that Haman had the image of an idol fastened to his clothes.  Esther at P. 13.  Another midrash was that Haman claimed Divine powers for himself.  Esther at P. 13.

The textual reality is that Haman was the King’s subordinate.  There was no indication that Haman promoted himself to be a “living god.” There was no bowing or prostration towards a god.

With the Book of Esther not asserting Haman of any asserted divine status, there is no Ten Commandments’ issue. These matters, however, yielded a Ten Commandments’ moment.  A Decalogue discussion.

While Mordechai’s reasons for not bowing or prostrating are not clear within the text, the story suggests a reason. Mordechai could harbored jealousy towards Haman.  After all, Haman never would have risen to his prominent position absent Mordechai’s actions. Earlier in The Book of Esther,  Mordechai revealed a plot against the king.  As a result, traitorous individuals were removed from office.  Haman filled that top slot.  Perhaps, Mordechai felt that he deserved that vacant spot.  Perhaps, he was acting out to show his displeasure that he was passed over, slighted.  

The Lesson

If one assumes that Mordechai’s decision was not a Ten Commandments’ violation, then a central theme of Ester is the danger of stereotyping.

Arguably, Haman took Mordechai’s personal (and not religiously based) actions and impressed them upon all of Jewry.  He did so without inquiry, investigation or consultation.

Thus, he sensely desired to act out of his anger to be the judge, jury and executioner upon a people. Clearly, even the commentators needed to fill in the blanks to try to make sense of Mordechai’s actions.  

Conclusion

A tale from a foreign land is fitting to be the Hebrew Bible’s final book.  It addresses the challenges of a people living abroad.  It is relatable to all all those who live in nations that consist of others from many nationalities and religions.  It is a cautionary tale of the consequences of powerful people creating or being influenced by stereotypes.  The world is still challenged by this.  In this instance, a bogus stereotype may have been created

Be well!!

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– The title could be more engaging to capture the reader’s attention.

– Consider adding subheadings to break up sections for better readability.

– Clarify the connection between Mordechai’s actions and the central theme to strengthen the argument.

– Include direct quotes or references from the text earlier in the post to bolster the analysis.

– Encourage more interaction by asking open-ended questions at the end of the post to invite reader comments.

– Check for consistency in terminology, such as the use of “prostrate,” and ensure it’s used correctly throughout.

– Proofread for minor grammatical issues and typos, such as “relects” which should be “reflects.”