What Were They Not Coerced to Do?
והשתיה כדת אין אנס
“And the drinking was according to the law without coercion.” (Esther 1:8)
What does the aforementioned pasuk mean when it says “that they were not coerced”, what were they not coerced to do?
The Yalkut Me’am Lo’ez explains: The tradition in Persia at festive meals was that each participant was served a very large cup of approximately two quarts, and he had to drink it in its entirety regardless of the consequences. At this meal, too, Achashveirosh ordered that everyone should be served a large cup filled to the top, lest he be accused of stinginess, but the people were not coerced, and they were permitted to drink as much or as little as they desired.
The Malbim explains: The Megillah is describing King Achashveirosh’s wealth. There was a week-long feast for all the people who were present in Shushan the Capital, and all the drinks were served in golden goblets. Nevertheless, there were enough golden goblets to serve the drinks to the tens of thousands of people, and no one was forced to finish drinking so that his goblet could be used for another guest.
