Havruta in Art and Beyond: Megillat Esther - Text Study
(י) לֹא־הִגִּ֣ידָה אֶסְתֵּ֔ר אֶת־עַמָּ֖הּ וְאֶת־מֽוֹלַדְתָּ֑הּ כִּ֧י מָרְדֳּכַ֛י צִוָּ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־תַגִּֽיד׃
(10) Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred; for Mordecai had charged her that she should not tell it.

(כ) אֵ֣ין אֶסְתֵּ֗ר מַגֶּ֤דֶת מֽוֹלַדְתָּהּ֙ וְאֶת־עַמָּ֔הּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ מָרְדֳּכָ֑י וְאֶת־מַאֲמַ֤ר מָרְדֳּכַי֙ אֶסְתֵּ֣ר עֹשָׂ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר הָיְתָ֥ה בְאָמְנָ֖ה אִתּֽוֹ׃ (ס)

(20) Esther had not yet made known her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her; for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him—

BEAR in MIND:

  • The two verses are from the Scroll of Esther (see attached synopsis), which is recited on Purim.
  • The first verse appears in the story when Esther is introduced to King Ahasuerus. The second verse appears after they are married and she becomes the queen.
  • Esther is her Persian name. Her Jewish name is Hadassah.

DISCUSS:

  • What could these verses be about?
  • What do you wonder about them? What questions do you have?
  • How might you connect theses quote to yourself/your students'/your school's/your community's life?
  • How might this suggest a "big idea" for teaching about Purim?

AND BEYOND...

  • How can art expand upon or help you think about the text you read?
  • How can these big ideas or questions be explored through a creative project?
  • How can these big ideas or questions be explored across disciplines?
  • What visual aids, materials, techniques or processes could help you explore these ideas?