Rashi, on Esth 4:16

“Go, and gather together all the Jews whom thou shalt find in Susan, and pray ye for me. Neither eat nor drink for three days and three nights: and I with my handmaids will fast in like manner, and then I will go in to the king, against the law, not being called, and expose myself to death and to danger.”

“contrary to the law for it is contrary to the law for one who is not summoned to enter. And the Midrash Aggadah [explains]: contrary to the law, for until now, I was coerced [to cohabit with him], but now [I will do so] willingly. and if I perish, I perish And just as I have begun to go to destruction [by appearing before Ahasuerus without being summoned], I will go and die. And the Midrash Aggadah (ad loc.) [explains]: As I am lost to my father’s house, so will I be lost to you, for from now on, that I am submitting willingly to a heathen, I will be forbidden to you.”

Hebrew and Aramaic words are the commentator’s citations of the sacred text; the English translation that follows each is the translator’s.

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.