The Book of Esther Page #3

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I shall therefore

issue a new command.

By your word, Majesty.

I command that Queen Vashti

be removed from

the palace at once,

and I decree that

my marriage to her

is null and void.

By your word, Majesty.

All hail, King Xerxes!

Hail, King Xerxes!

I wish to be alone.

Esther, Esther,

I have terrible news!

What is it?

The king has dissolved

his marriage to Queen Vashti.

It is said that she

wickedly disobeyed a command.

What exactly did the king

command her to do?

She was commanded

to dance for the king

and his guests, and she refused.

And for this reason

she was banished?

Well, a royal command is

not to be taken lightly,

nor should a woman

disobey her husband.

Oh Judith,

you're one to talk.

Would you have me believe

that there is no disobedience

in your marriage?

None whatsoever.

Jacob does exactly

what I tell him to do.

Perhaps it is best

that I'm not married.

It is a

complicated business.

But not without

its rewards.

Judith,

stop your gossiping.

These palace intrigues

are none of our concern.

Oh, Miriam, Miriam!

I have terrible news!

This is a disaster

for the kingdom.

A fatalist sees a disaster;

a wise man sees opportunity.

But Lord Haman,

Persia is without a queen!

Then His Majesty will simply

have to find a new one!

Yes, Lord Haman, but

from which part of the world?

All of our allies have

run out of eligible brides.

Well, then His Majesty

will have to find a new queen

amongst his own people,

a young woman of nobility,

preferably...

a daughter of one of

his closest advisors.

Ah!

What a pity it is that the gods

have favored you with ten sons

and not a single daughter.

But Gaspar,

have you forgotten

that I have daughter

called Zara?

Forgive me, Lord Haman,

but she is but a child.

That was yesterday.

You know children,

they grow up so quickly.

Quickly enough for marriage?

Indeed!

You must take this proposal

to the king at once.

No, no, no, I'm far too

modest to make such a proposal myself.

No, no, that is why I'm relying

upon you to make it for me.

Me? But...

Oh, faithful friend, I want

the honor to be all yours.

But, Lord Haman,

what if His Majesty

receives it badly?

I may lose my head.

But I would be supremely

grateful for your sacrifice.

Now, the king's counsel will

be meeting with the king soon.

I want you to prepare

well your speech,

for my sake,

as well as for yours.

Blessed are you, Lord,

our God, King of the universe,

who sanctifies us

with his commandments

and commands us to light

the Sabbath candles.

Amen.

We should also give thanks

for our King Xerxes,

for permitting our people to

celebrate the Sabbath in peace.

If the king did not permit us

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