1)

What is the significance of "Esther stood in the inner courtyard of the king's house"?

1.

Torah Temimah citing Megilah 15b: when she reached the place where the idols are kept, Ru'ach ha'Kodesh departed from her. She said "Keli Keli Lamah Azavtani" (Tehilim 22:2) - do You judge Shogeg like Mezid, and Ones like Ratzon? (I am coerced to come here for the sake of Yisrael!) Is it because I called Achashverosh a dog ("save my soul from a sword, from a dog")? She retracted - "save me from the mouth of the lion" (ibid., 21-22).

2.

Malbim: Amidst Achashverosh's love for Esther, it never crossed his mind that the decree not to enter without being called applies to her. When he saw her in her humility standing in the Chatzer and not entering, he extended the scepter to do her will. Also this was Hashgachah - normally, it was not in his hand!

2)

Why does it say "Nas'ah Chen b'Einav"?

1.

Torah Temimah citing Megilah 15b: When the king saw Esther, three angels came. One raised her neck, one stretched a string of Chesed over her, and one stretched the scepter 1 . Vilna Gaon - we infer from "chi'R'os"; it does not say 'cheshe'Ra'ah.' This implies that he saw her not via nature, rather, a miracle. Chi'R'os implies automatically. Also Nas'ah implies that she bore what was put on her. Also, b'Yado is extra. Surely the scepter was in his hand. He extended it to her! It teaches that it was only in his hand (it was small); an angel stretched it.

2.

Esther Rabah 9:1: When she entered, she saw the king's rage at her violation of his law. She panicked. Hashem had mercy on His nation, and the orphan who trusted in Him. He gave to her grace and added to her beauty. The king was frenzied. He ran to her, hugged and kissed her, and said 'the law does not apply to you, my beloved!'


1

15b: The scepter was two Amos. There are different opinion, whether it stretched to 12, or 16, or 24, or 60, or 200 Amos. R. Elazar of Garmiza, also cited in Tosfos ha'Shalem - Sharbit is Shevet, with them an added Reish; the Gematriya of Reish is 200.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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