THE ABSENCE OF GOD’S NAME

Megillat Esther is a record of the Purim story written contemporaneously and later included in TaNaCH (Hebrew Scriptures).

Unlike any other biblical text, Megillat Esther contains no reference to God or Divine Providence, an omission that is beyond puzzling. How is it possible that the miraculous events that resulted in the Jews being saved from genocide don’t warrant any mention of God’s name in the religious scripture we have that describes these very events? What is the message of God’s absence in Megillat Esther?

Rabbi Dunner addresses this vexing topic, presenting a range of ideas based on ancient Jewish tradition, ideas that cut to the core of the Jewish faith.