Chapter 4 and 5 shed a bright light on Esther's remarkable character. In these chapters, the turnaround from mourning to joy in the book of Esther begins.
Chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Esther introduce us to Mordecai, Esther, and Haman. Esther is chosen as queen to replace Vashti. Mordecai reveals a plot to kill King Ahasuerus. Haman becomes vizier and decrees the extermination of the Jews in the Persian Empire.
For the opening to this class on the Five Megillot (Scrolls), focusing on Esther (6 sessions) and Ruth (4 sessions): An introduction to the Scrolls; Introduction to Esther; discussion of Chapter 1 of Esther (Achashverosh)
An introduction to Apocalyptic in Daniel (Chapters 7-12). Exploring Chapter 7 together, the first apocalyptic vision in the book: The vision of the Four Creatures/Four Beasts.
In Jonah chapter 3, the prophet finally accepts God's commission to prophesy to the people of Nineveh. Immediately, they all--king, nobles, commoners, and even animals--repent. God relents from carrying out Jonah's prophesy of doom.
From the belly of the fish, Jonah prays. Then the fish vomits him onto dry land. What is the nature of Jonah's prayer? What does it contain? What does it omit? How does it compare to other prayers in Tanach--and especially in Psalms/Tehillim? What does it have to do with the narrative in chapters 1, 3, and 4?
The final passages of Kohelet include a description of decay concluding with a judgement of הבל הבלים / all is vanity/mere breath/vapor. That is followed by two epilogues which describe the work of Kohelet and place the book of Kohelet into the context of other Jewish teachings of God and man.
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