Epstein and Purim’s Hidden Victims
On the one hand Purim is a story about how Esther and Mordecai turn the tables on Haman and his antisemitic and murderous designs for the Jewish people. It is a story that we long to hear. It is a tale we relish telling. In far too many instances our success in overpowering antisemites is limited. We need only read today’s news to be reminded of what a stubborn foe antisemitism continues to be.
On the other hand, the megillah is a story about how women are history’s unheralded heroes. Esther saves the day! It is also a tale about how powerful men’s victims remain hidden. Vashti is erased. We only talk about Esther’s courage and Mordecai’s bravery. We do not speak about Vashti’s courage and strength.
The Purim story begins with King Ahasuerus throwing a wild party. On the seventh day of the party the king orders Queen Vashti to appear before all the party goers so that he can display her beauty to all the attendees. (Some commentators suggest she was ordered to appear wearing only her crown.) She refuses the order. Go Vashti! The king becomes incensed. His advisors suggest if Vashti refuses his commands, then all women will follow her example. An edict is issued declaring that husbands have absolute authority over their wives. Vashi is kicked out of the palace.
We never hear from her again. Vashti’s courageous voice is silenced.
We then read about Ahasuerus’ feelings. He is feeling lonely. He appears to regret his decision. The king’s advisors counsel, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for your majesty. And let the maiden who pleases your majesty be queen instead of Vashti.” (Esther 2)
I wish the story continued with Vashti. I long to hear about what happens to her. But that is not how stories are often told. They are about the powerful and not the victimized.
In the past months, the news has been filled with revelations from the Epstein files. The reports focus on how careers have been derailed. News anchors debate the repercussions facing Epstein’s associates. Our discussions focus on the Bill Gates and Larry Summers, the former Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton. We read articles about their downfalls and their statements saying, “I did not know.”
We pay scant attention to the many young women victimized by Epstein and those who befriended him. M. Gessen remarks, “Even when the young women, as we now know, were physically right in front of them, they were invisible. And you know what? I believed at least some of these people. It is possible, even easy, not to see people’s suffering in front of your face. This ability not to see is an essential survival skill in America today.”
The victims remain hidden. Their voices are silenced.
The Book of Esther is a satirical farce. Everything is exaggerated. The drinking. Haman’s evil designs. The violence. The king’s pronouncements about women? The name Esther comes from the Hebrew meaning hidden. The book tells a story about hidden meanings and hidden voices.
The opening chapter is a tale that continues in our own age. The question remains. Will we now pay attention to Vashti’s voice? Will we hear these voices of anguish?