Food For Thought
Daniel chapter 1, a skit
To read this in Arabic, click here.
Characters:
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon
Ashpenaz (Chief Officer)
Steward
Daniel / Belteshazzar
Hananiah / Shadrach
Mishael / Meishach
Azariah / Abed-nego
Other young men
(Scene: a victorious Nebuchadnezzar is proudly preparing to leave Jerusalem, G-d having delivered Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, and some of the Temple vessels, into his hand.1 He requests select captives. His chronically depressed2 chief officer, Ashpenaz, oversees the process.)
King Nebuchadnezzar, to Ashpenaz: Gather the young men from the nobility, to use as officers and advisors, and from the commoners, to be their servants.3 We must select those who are fit to serve in the king's palace. They must be blemish free, never once pierced with a needle.4 They must be handsome, gifted intellectually, perceptive, have the strength to stand in the king's palace, and be able to learn the script and language of the Chaldeans.5
Ashpenaz, looking stressed: Your will be done, my lord the king. I shall trouble myself to bring these youths as soon as possible.
(Scene transitions to the entrance of the room where Ashpenaz brings in a group of young men. We will focus on the four friends, Daniel, Hanania, Mishael, Azariah.)
Ashpenaz, a bit overwhelmed at his new responsibilities: I will carefully evaluate each one of you. You must be without any physical defects and show aptitude for learning.6 You there, what is your name?
Daniel: My name is Daniel, sir.
Ashpenaz, writing it down: Very well, Daniel. And what about you?
Hananiah: I am Hananiah, sir.
Ashpenaz, noting the name: Hananiah, understood. And your names?
Mishael: I am Mishael.
Azariah: I am Azariah.
Ashpenaz, writing down their names: Daniel, Hanania, Mishael and Azariah. Tolerable for a Hebrew, I suppose. From now on, your names will be Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, respectively. You will be allotted a daily portion of the King's food and drink and wine, and you will be trained for 3 years, after which you will be expected to stand before the king.7
(Scene: Daniel and his friends are taking a walk in the Hanging Gardens Of Babylon8, for some privacy.)
Daniel, sounding concerned: My friends, we must find a way to uphold our faith while serving in the king's palace.
Hananiah: The food and wine are not kosher.
Mishael: We cannot compromise our beliefs, even in exile.
Azariah: Daniel. Maybe you should approach Ashpenaz. I think he likes you, because he named you Belteshazzar, after his favorite idol, Bel.9 Perhaps he will help you.
Daniel: He is a difficult personality, but I will try.
(Daniel finds a moment to speak to the chief officer)
Daniel, respectfully: Chief Officer Ashpenaz, we have a request. We wish to abstain from the royal food and wine.10
Ashpenaz, who secretly liked the brave teen, was nonetheless horrified at this suggestion: I fear my lord the king, who assigned you your food and your drink.11 It's my job to ensure you thrive. Why should your youthful faces become troubled like mine, unlike the other children? The king will have my head if he finds out.12
(Ashpenaz appointed a steward for these four boys, giving himself plausible deniability. Scene transitions to Daniel's conversation with the steward.)13
Daniel, carefully: Steward, please hear us out. We propose a ten-day wager.14
Steward, who loved to gamble: What kind of wager?
Daniel: We will only eat seeds and drink water for ten days. Then compare us with those who consume the royal food. After these ten days, treat us based on what you observe.15
(Scene transitions to the end of the ten-day wager)
Steward, looking amazed: I can't believe it! All you ate was seeds. But you look handsome and fatter than the others, who ate the royal food!16
Daniel: It is the favor of our G-d that sustains us.
(The steward would carry away their food and wine, and give them seeds and water.17 A few years later, Daniel and his friends are presented to Nebuchadnezzar.18)
Nebuchadnezzar: I've been presented with many youths.19 After only a short conversation, it is clear to me that the four of you are 10 times better than all the necromancers and astrologers in my kingdom.20
Daniel: We have been blessed by G-d with knowledge and understanding. Our faith and commitment have guided us. We aim to serve you with excellence in all we do.21
Nebuchadnezzar, impressed: You shall enter my service immediately.
(Scene ends with Daniel and his friends proceeding into the king's service. Daniel remained in the King's service until the first year of King Cyrus.)22
1:1-2
Rabbi Saadia Gaon 1:3
Malbim, 1:3
Sanhedrin 93b; Rabbi AJ Rosenberg
1:4
1:4
Daniel 1:5
Embellished; it does not say where they were when this conversation took place, or the specifics of the conversation.
Rashi 1:7
Daniel 1:8
1:9-10
Daniel 1:10
Daniel 1:11
1:12
1:13
1:15
1:16
1:18
1:19
1:20
Embellishment not in the text.
1:21
Question: if Daniel was where he was until king Cyrus, does that mean he was there at the same time that the queen Esther story was taking place in persia?
Too bad this miracle didn't work for people in later times, like in the Russian army. That would have been really helpful!