אסתר

Esther is an ancient and magnificent Hebrew name that carries with it a rich cultural heritage and profound historical significance. The name is primarily known from the central figure of Queen Esther, the heroine of the Book of Esther (Megillat Esther) and the story of the salvation of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire. Esther, who was also called Hadassah, was the daughter of Abihail from the tribe of Benjamin, and after being orphaned, she was raised in the house of her cousin Mordechai. Her extraordinary beauty brought her to the palace of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes), where she was crowned queen and became a pivotal figure in saving the Jewish people from the genocidal decree planned by the wicked Haman. The origin of the name Esther is debated among scholars. According to one opinion, the name derives from the Persian-Babylonian root "Ishtar" or "Esther," meaning star or the planet Venus. This interpretation connects Esther to the Babylonian goddess of beauty and love, Ishtar (Astarte), and emphasizes Queen Esther's beauty and radiance. Another view links the name to the Hebrew root "s-t-r" (samekh-tav-resh), meaning concealment or hiding, alluding to the hiddenness of God's face in the Megillah story, where God's name does not appear explicitly but His providence is evident in every detail. Esther's other Hebrew name, Hadassah, refers to the fragrant myrtle tree, symbolizing beauty, pleasant fragrance, and noble virtues. The Sages interpreted that "Hadassah was her real name, and why was she called Esther? Because she concealed her words." The character of Queen Esther represents courage, wisdom, faith, and self-sacrifice for her people. Despite the inherent danger, Esther revealed her Jewish identity to King Ahasuerus and succeeded in thwarting Haman's plot to destroy the Jews. Her eternal act of heroism, commemorated in the festival of Purim and the scroll read in her name, has made the name Esther a symbol of redemption, miracle, and salvation. The Sages counted Esther among the seven prophetesses who prophesied to Israel, emphasizing her crucial role in the continued existence of the Jewish people. The name Esther also carries meanings of inner and outer beauty, modesty, nobility of spirit, and strong female leadership. Throughout the generations, the name Esther has remained popular among Jews worldwide, and it is considered a classic and honored name that conveys a message of hope, faith, and the ability to influence and change reality.

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Esther | Ester | Estee | Esty

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Esther 2:16 - So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign

In Kabbalah, the name Esther symbolizes the paradoxical concealment and revelation of divine light. The Megillah, in which God's name is completely absent, represents the concept of "hester panim" (hiding of the face), yet it is precisely in this concealment that the deepest miracle is revealed - a hidden providence directing every detail. Esther herself represents the sefirah of Malkhut (Kingdom), the lowest sefirah that receives from all the upper sefirot and influences the physical world. The gematria of Esther (661) equals the phrase "Ani Hashem" (I am God) when adding the kollel, teaching about the revelation of divinity through concealment.

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Esther Williams - American actress and swimmer | Esther Rolle - American actress | Ester Dean - American singer and songwriter | Esther Povitsky - American comedian and actress | Esther Perel - Belgian psychotherapist and author | Esther Hicks - American inspirational speaker

הדסה | אסתי | אסנת | שרה | רבקה | רחל

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