Alone in the Inner Court

On the third day of the fast, the Megillah says, Esther clothed herself in royalty. Chazal teach that this was more than a royal gown: she was clothed in ruach hakodesh. The Midrash relates that she took two of her maids, leaning on one as royal custom required while the other held up the hem of her jeweled garments. She put on a cheerful face, hid the fear in her heart, and walked toward the inner court.

The Gemara tells that as she passed through the chamber of the idols in the inner court, she felt the Shechinah leave her. At once she cried out the words of Tehillim: Keili, Keili, lamah azavtani, my God, my God, why have You forsaken me? She asked whether she was being judged for what she had been forced to do as if she had chosen it.

Then she stood before the throne. The Midrash says the king's eyes blazed with anger at the breach of his law, and when Esther saw his face, her strength gave way and she rested her head on the maid beside her. Hashem saw the orphan who had trusted in Him and had pity on His people. Rebbi Yochanan teaches that three angels came to her side at that moment: one lifted her head so she could stand upright, one surrounded her with grace, and one stretched out the king's scepter toward her. The king held out the golden scepter, and Esther came near and touched its tip.