A few sentences after we are introduced to Ester in the
Megila (Ester 2:8-10) we read:
So it came to pass when the King’s bidding and decree were
published and when many young girls were being brought together to Shushan the
Capital under the charge of Hegai that Ester was taken into the palace, under
the charge of Hegai, guardian of the women. The girl pleased him and she
obtained his kindness; he hurriedly prepared her cosmetics and her allowance of
delicacies to present her, along with the seven special maids from the palace
and he transferred her and her maidens to the best quarters in the harem. Ester
had not told of her people or her kindred, for Mordechai had instructed her not
to tell.
The Gemara in Masechet Megila 13a discusses what special
things Hegai did for Ester.
Rav said that he fed her Jewish (Kosher) food.
The problem with Rav’s answer is that nobody knew that she
was Jewish so why would they get her Kosher food?
Ben Yehoyada answers that since Ester grew up in Mordechai’s
home they assumed that she would want the food that she was accustomed to
eating.
Another explanation could be that since they knew that
Kosher food was healthier, they honored her request and brought it to her.
The Gemara continues:
Shmuel said that he fed her “kadlei dichazirei” fatty hog
bacon (a delicacy at the time).
Tosafot say that although she was served the bacon, she did
not eat it.
Aruch says that they gave her the tops of the lettuce
(chazirei being like the chazeret (horsereadish) that we eat on Pesach).
The Gemara continues:
Rabbi Yochanan says: He fed her “zeronim” seeds (such as
peas, beans, legumes) as Daniel, Chananiah, Mishael and Azarya ate in the book
of Daniel.
Today, if someone declares that they are a vegetarian or a
vegan and ask for legumes and vegetables they are respected for their beliefs
even if others don’t necessarily agree with them.
In some circles when a person declares that they keep Kosher
it has become more respected since it is now politically correct for people to
be diverse. In other circles people who keep Kosher may be looked down upon
while those who are vegetarian may be respected.
Living in Israel
in the year 5773, 2013 we do not have to hide that we are Jewish the way that
Ester did. Rather we can be proud to keep Kosher and we have a wide range of
Kosher restaurants including vegetarian and vegan to choose from.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim from Yerushalayim!
Sharona Margolin Halickman
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