As an American I was somewhat concerned about visiting Iran, despite assurances that Americans are warmly welcomed. Indeed I was! My status as an American was never an issue and actually seemed to delight those who approached me. Nor was my gender a deterrent. Iranian women are full participants in society and with my headscarf firmly in place, I was too. I had the privilege of visiting Iran in November 2006. Never has a ... More
Highlights
Religious highlightsTomb of Esther and Mordechai
The tomb of Esther and Mordechai in the city of Hamadān is a major Jewish pilgrimage site in Iran. We find the story of Persian Queen Esther who was raised under the care of her cousin Mordechai in the biblical Book of Esther. In Jewish tradition, the Book of Esther would be recited twice during the celeberation of Purim.
The book commences with a feast organized by Ahasuerus (often identified with King Xerxes or Khashāyārshā of Persia), initially for his court and dignitaries and afterwards for all inhabitants of Shushan (the Susa, present-day city of Shūsh in southwestern Iran). Ahasuerus orders his wife Vashti to
display her beauty before the guests. She refuses, and the King's advisors warn that, if unpunished, her actions would inspire other wives to disobey their husbands. Ahasuerus removes her as queen. Ahasuerus then orders all young women to be presented to him, so he can choose a new queen to replace Vashti. One of these is Esther, who was orphaned at a young age and is being fostered by her cousin Mordechai. She finds favor in the king's eyes, and is made his new wife. Esther does not reveal that she is Jewish. Shortly afterwards, Mordechai discovers a plot by courtiers Bigthan and Teresh to assassinate Ahasuerus. They are apprehended and executed, and Mordechai's service to the king is recorded.The tomb of Esther and Mordechai in the city of Hamadān is a major Jewish pilgrimage site in Iran.
Ahasuerus appoints Haman the Agagite (understood in later Midrashic interpretation to be a descendant of Amalekite king Agag) as his prime minister. Mordechai, who sits at the palace gates, falls into Haman's disfavor as he refuses to bow down to him. Having found out that Mordechai is Jewish, Haman plans to kill not just Mordechai but the entire Jewish minority in the empire. He obtains Ahasuerus' permission to execute this plan, against payment of ten thousand talents of silver, and he casts lots to choose the date on which to do this - the thirteenth of the month of Adar.
When Mordechai finds out about the plans he orders widespread penitence and fasting. Esther discovers what has transpired; she requests that all Jews fast and pray for three days together with her, and on the third day she seeks an audience with Ahasuerus, during which she invites him to a feast in the company of Haman. During the feast, she asks them to attend a further feast the next evening. Meanwhile, Haman is again offended by Mordechai and builds a gallows for him.
That night, Ahasuerus suffers from insomnia, and when the court's records are read to him to help him sleep, he learns of the services rendered by Mordechai in the previous plot against his life. Ahasuerus is told that Mordechai has not received any recognition for saving the king's life. Just then, Haman appears, and King Ahasuerus asks Haman what should be done for the man that he wishes to honor.
Thinking that the man that the king wishes to honor is him, Haman says that the man should be dressed in the king's royal robes and led around on the king's royal horse. To his horror, the king instructs Haman to do so to Mordechai.
Later that evening, Ahasuerus and Haman attend Esther's second banquet, at which she reveals that she is Jewish and that Haman is planning to exterminate her people, including her. Overcome by rage, Ahasuerus leaves the room; meanwhile Haman stays behind and begs Esther for his life, falling upon her in despricy.
The king comes back in at this moment and thinks Haman is sexually assaulting the queen; this makes him angrier than before and he orders Haman hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai. The previous decree against the Jews cannot be annulled, but the king allows the Jews to defend themselves during attacks. As a result, on 13 Adar, five hundred attackers and Haman's ten sons are killed in Shushan.
Throughout the empire an additional 75,000 are killed by the Jews (the Greek text says 15,000). On the 14th, another 300 are killed in Shushan.
Mordechai assumes a prominent position in Ahasuerus' court, and institutes an annual commemoration of the delivery of the Jewish people from annihilation.
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