Part V -
Why Satire?
We have shown that the Megilla is laced with allusions to the
fact that Am Yisrael does not answer its divine call during the
Persian time period. Why is this message only hinted at but not
explicitly stated by Chazal? Most probably for the same reason
that it is not explicit in the Megilla. This is the power of
satire. In order to strengthen the message, a powerful point is not
explicitly stated, but only alluded to. The direct approach used
by the other 48 neviim of Tanach had not been very successful.
[See Mesechet Megilla 14a (top) - "gedola hasarat hataba'at
shel Haman yoter mi-48 neviim..."!]
One could suggest that Anshei Knesset HaG'dola, in their
decision to canonize Megillat Esther, had hoped that a satirical
message would be more powerful than a direct one. The Midrashim of
Chazal that comment on the Megilla follow a similar approach.
