What Is Esther Rabbah?

Esther Rabbah appears to be a composite work. Its core is an older—possibly sixth century—verse-by-verse midrashic commentary on the first two chapters of the book of Esther introduced by classic and non-anonymous proems that was eventually combined, perhaps as late as the twelfth or thirteenth century, with a later, more fragmentary commentary. The midrash contemporizes the book of Esther with historical references to the world of the rabbis—for example, Ahasuerus’ feast resembles a Roman banquet—and offers consolation for Jews in times of adversity. Though it revels in the defeat of Israel’s enemies, the midrash is not devoid of self-criticism.