The Chapter 9 Project: Sneak Preview & Release Date
Dear friends,
We know that during the holiday of Purim, it is customary for communities to gather and read the Book of Esther (Megillat Esther, in Hebrew). While the climax of this 5th century BCE tale celebrates the Jews escaping their own annihilation at the hands of the Persian Empire, the Jews’ response to that victory is brutal retaliation against their enemies, killing more than 75,000 Persians. This is the story told in Chapter 9 of Megillat Esther, a dark part of Jewish mythology.
Over the years, individuals and communities have grappled with how best to deal with Chapter 9. Some choose to skip over these disturbing descriptions, while others read the text in a whisper or with the melancholic Eicha/Lamentations trope. Additionally, there are those who remind themselves that the text is not a historical account but instead, a fantastical tale of a persecuted people.
But what if there was a different way to navigate this painful chapter? An alternative to unbridled retribution that replaced violence with hope? Especially this year, as the war in Israel and Gaza rages on and the death toll continues to rise, what might be possible if we told a Purim story that uplifted transformation over reprisal?
This Purim, The Shalom Center is launching the Chapter 9 Project, a reimagining of Chapter 9 of Megillat Esther, with peace and the divinity of all human life as its foundation.
We have invited a fantastic group of insightful writers and dreamers to each rewrite Chapter 9. We’ll be compiling these original tellings into a digital collection, which we will share with this list — and make available generally — next Monday, March 11th, which is Rosh Hodesh Adar II (the new month of Adar II).
Today, we are beyond thrilled to share one of those Chapter 9 rewrites, to offer you a taste of the kind of power and depth you’ll find in the full collection. Written by the person who inspired this project in the first place and the person whose art and design work will grace the cover and interior of the full collection, this Chapter 9 comes from the exquisite poet, artist, social activist and speaker, Arlene Goldbard, who is also past President of The Shalom Center Board. You can read her new Chapter 9 in full at the bottom of this message; alternatively, it can also be viewed and downloaded in PDF format at:
https://bit.ly/Goldbard_Ch9
We hope you enjoy Arlene’s original Chapter 9 this week, and that it gets you excited to read the full collection next week, as we creatively and earnestly grapple with our tradition to imagine new and more just and peaceful worlds into existence.
Welcome to the Chapter 9 Project!
CHAPTER 9 REIMAGINED
Arlene Goldbard
And so, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month—that is, the month of Adar—when the King’s command and decree were to be executed, the very day on which the enemies of the Jews had expected to get them in their power, the opposite happened, and the Jews got their enemies in their power.
King Ahasuerus had chosen Esther for her grace and beauty. Once she confided all that had transpired since the day they met, he also loved and admired her for her wisdom and skillfulness. Calling Esther to his chamber, he put this question: “What is your wish now? It shall be granted you. And what else is your request? It shall be fulfilled.”
“My beloved foster father Mordecai,” said Esther, “is rightly esteemed throughout the land for helping to bring about the end of Haman’s cruel plot. Many of the people of Shushan— especially the Jews—now consider his power to rival your majesty’s. His actions awakened us to the force of baseless hatred. We need a voice of peace to banish it. Will you bring the Jews together and allow me to stand at your side and speak with your authority, that I may be that voice?”
The King called the Jews of Shushan to assemble in the palace courtyard. Atop a platform was a great table covered in golden cloth. King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther were seated side-by-side. The King rose to speak: “People of Shushan, you know that a great tragedy was prevented when the brave and wise Mordecai and his daughter, my lovely and brilliant Queen Esther, showed me the evil plot Haman devised against my loyal subjects, the Jews, who have flourished here. Know today that Queen Esther has my full authority to speak what is in her heart and head. I entreat you to listen with open hearts and minds.”
With that, the King returned to his seat and Esther rose. “Beloved Jews of Shushan,” she said, “let me ask you a question. As you move about through the towns and villages, have you learned what the people of Shushan expect us to do?”
“Revenge!” “Kill the enemies!” rang out from every corner.
“And what have we learned about revenge?” asked Queen Esther. “That blood begets blood. If we were to kill even seventy-five thousand of our foes, what would the remaining Shushanites do the day after?”
From the silence a small voice called out. “Their fear of us would be great. They would plot their own revenge, thinking we might pursue them next.”
“Yes,” said Esther. “Blood begets blood until Shushan drowns in it. What will safeguard the security of Shushan? What will stop the cycle of blood? If every citizen of Shushan has equal safety and freedom, security will be fulfilled, not for a moment as in a ceasefire in wartime, but for true peace. I am going to tell you a story about how that can happen, and at the end, I will ask if you wish to join my King and myself in making it so.”
“You will recall,” said Queen Esther, “that Haman has ten sons. There are some in this courtyard who would put them to death.” Murmurs rose in agreement. “But I propose to put them to life.”
“In his great generosity, the King will decree a new day in Shushan. His coffers will open to the Jews who closed their shops or packed up their belongings in fear of Haman’s plot. He will bring them home and give them the means to prosper. If their houses or shops were destroyed by Haman’s mobs, they will be rebuilt. And the price of this will easily be paid: all the Jews of Shushan will agree henceforth to trade and build fairly and kindly with everyone in the kingdom, Jew or gentile, in recompense for the King’s generosity in repairing their lives. All the people of Shushan will be free.”
“But will they trust this?” a voice called out.
“You are wise to ask,” said Queen Esther. “To spread the word that the King’s pledge is to be honored and trusted, we have assembled a troop of 36 men and women. Twelve are the sons and nephews of Haman, whose lives will thus be redeemed. Twelve are sons and daughters of our community, chosen by Mordecai from every corner and every honored family of Shushan.”
“And twelve are loyal women of my husband’s harem.” Esther bowed toward Ahasuerus. “In the fullness of his lovingkindness, our King has overturned a decree made in anger, allowing me to receive the counsel of former Queen Vashti, who has taught the women about love, justice, respect for self and others. The 36 are standing together with all of us. They will form delegations to visit every corner of Shushan, unarmed, bearing gifts of food, medicine, clothing, and everything useful, telling the story of our kingdom’s future where hatred no longer has a home.”
Queen Esther spread out her hands. “Those who believed Haman will now believe his sons. Those who trusted Mordecai will now believe his emissaries. And those who have been waiting to hear the voices of women will believe the women I have chosen to represent us. Are you with me?”
As the people cheered, King Ahasuerus rose from his seat and offered a declaration: “Henceforth the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar—the same month that has been transformed for you from grief and mourning to festive joy—every year shall be observed as days of feasting and merrymaking, and as an occasion for sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor. Consequently, these days are recalled and observed in every generation: by every family, every province, and every city. And these days of Purim shall never cease among the Jews, and the memory of them shall never perish among their descendants.”