Esther and Judith: between jewish identity and its refusal

Abstract

The author presents common elements from the biblical books of Esther and Judith. From these similarities some questions do come forward. Why the Jewish tradition accepted the book of Esther and rejected the book of Judith? Which are the motives behind the exclusion? The vision given by these stories considered as “historic tales” provides essential features to answer some of the questions. In both texts, the main actor is an heroic Jewish woman in times of foreing domination. In both cases, these beautiful, wise and heroic women risk their lives to save their people from imminent destruction. There are, indeed, many tools for discernment in these stories that can touch the lifes of its readers.