This book is an exploration of the political philosophy of the biblical book of Esther. It offers a careful reading of the biblical text, broken into short essays that follow the hairpin turns in the narrative, explaining what is happening in the plot while keeping an eye on the presentation of philosophically significant issues by the text. These include the question of the nature of political rule and the best state, the relationship between obedience to unjust regimes and the concept of idolatry, the question of the responsibilities and obligations of individuals in positions of political influence, and the way in which anti-Semitism arises out of the Jews' rejection of idolatry. There's also quite a bit here about the position of the Jew as a political actor in exile.

In addition to the text of Esther, I make a significant effort to bring the reader into the loop on what is going on in the biblical narratives about Joseph, Nehemia, and Daniel, all of which treat moral and political subjects close to those of Esther—although each of these works presents a  political philosophy very different from the others.

The Dawn ends with two longer essays: One investigating the morality of the Jews' war against their enemies in Esther; and a second exploring the narrative's view of the place of faith in politics.

This is my first book. It was encouraged and inspired by R. Jay Marcus, who published the first edition in 1995. A revised Shalem Press edition came out in 2000.

Blurbs

“A thoughtful, provocative, gracefully written, assiduously researched and elegantly argued piece of work ... worthwhile and stimulating

—Calev Ben David, Jerusalem Post

“Hazony makes Megliat Esther come alive in a manner that is realistic and fascinating. Details which I had read again and again for the past sixty years, and which made no particular impression upon me, suddenly came alive with a significance that never occurred to me.”

—Norman Lamm, President, Yeshiva University

“The Dawn is extraordinary. Yoram Hazony reads the Book of Esther as is has never been read before… Beautifully written, brilliantly reasoned. The Dawn is a mind-opener.”

—Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe

Articles about The Dawn

William Safire, “Week of Miracles,” The New York Times, (April 20, 2000)