I was recently learning the aggadeta regarding Purim in Maseches Megilah, and a question occurred to me: What are the sources that Chazal used in their description of Vashti? As far as the drasha that "yom ha'shvi'i" is Shabbos, I understand. But what is the remez to then say that Vashti embarassed Jewish women and forced them to do melocho on Shabbos, and was then punished middah k'negged middah? It is so far from pashtus ha'kra that I can't begin to understand where it came from. I checked in the Maharsha and other meforshim in the masechta with no answer. Rabbeinu Bechaye's peirush on the Megillah also did not answer the question. The Torah Temimah also did not seem to address the question entirely. I was wondering if you had any suggestions regarding this mesorah and the underlying lessons of the medrash.
Thank you for your help and all the work you do.
A'freilichen Purim!
David Peto, Los Angeles, USA
Dear David,
It is not clear what your difficulty is. The Gemara already said that Vashti was a Prutzah as she made her party near the men. Why, then, did she refuse to come? Either because of leprosy as hinted by the word Nigzar and/or because of the "tail" as hinted by Aleha which, if written with an Aleph means tail (Alya). (Tosfos haRosh).
The Maharsha explains that when the Megilah mentions that Achashveirosh remembered what happened to Vashti it also says "what she did". Why is this point mentioned when discussing his sadness at losing his wife? The Pasuk is telling us that because of what she did she got punished, Midah k'Neged Midah. Threfore Chazal knew what she "did" concerning immodesty and Shabbos.
All the best,
Reuven Weiner