Purim
Feast of Esther
Theme
The Story of Purim is the Book of Esther, referred to in Hebrew as megilat ester (Esther’s Scroll). The word Purim comes from the Hebrew root word ‘Pur’, which means ‘lot’ (to cast a lot) (Esther 9:26). Haman cast a lot to determine the final day of execution of the Jews throughout the Babylonian empire. God used Mordechai and his uncle’s daughter Esther to execute a rather different plan. On that day, that is the day of the Pur, Haman was hung on a tree that he-himself prepared for the hanging of Mordechai, whom he hated first as a Jew and also as the one who did not bow down to him at the Palace gate. Purim commemorates this miracle where God extended His grace once again to His people. Again it started by the people’s departure from God’s ways, followed by persecution and exile, leading to the turning of the select back to God, and ended by His Grace.
Background
King Ahashverosh (Xerxes – אחשורוש ) ruled the Babylonian empire after King Nebuchadnezzar. Under King Nebuchadnezzar the Temple of God built by Salomon (“The First Temple”) was destroyed and Israel was exiled (2nd Kings 25). The Babylonian empire included 127 regions from India to Cush (today’s Ethiopia), which covers the entire fertile crescent. King Ahashverosh (Xerxes) appointed Haman who we now refer to as ‘Evil Haman the persecutor of the Jews’ (המן הרשע צורר היהודים ), as his prime official over many of the Kings affairs. In fact, Haman was given the King’s seal (ring) for his possession. As a part of Haman’s plan to exterminate the Jews, he cast a lot (Pur) do determine the day at which all people throughout the 127 regions will be commanded turn against the Jews, kill their men women and children, and take their possessions. Haman sent this plan in a form of a book-decree to all 127 regions, each translated to the region’s own language, and the day was set. In the meantime, through the work of God and through Mordechai the Righteous Jew, the King chose beautiful Ester as his wife – the Queen of Babylon. Queen Ester, who earlier earned the King’s trust through reviling a plot to assassinate the King, now reveled to the King the plot to kill all Jews, and at that moment reviled her Jewish identity for the first time. King Ahashverosh ordered to hang Evil Haman on a tree, and gave Mordechai his seal, Haman’s household and possessions.
Observance and Tradition
The book of Ester is read in the Synagogues each 14th day of Adar, which is the day of the Pur according to Ester 9:17. Each time the name of Haman is mentioned in the reading, the kids (and adults…) rattle the Purim rattlers (רעשנים ) to mask over the evil name. It is a joyful feast, characterized by banquets, kids and adults wearing of costumes, gift exchange, and ridiculing the name of the Evil Haman (Esther 9:22). The customs are a symbol to the 127 regions under the rule of Ahashverosh.
So they called these days Purim, after the name Pur. Therefore, because of all the words of this letter, what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had happened to them, the Jews established and imposed it upon themselves and their descendants and all who would join them, that without fail they should celebrate these two days every year, according to the written instructions and according to the prescribed time, that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city, that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, and that the memory of them should not perish among their descendants. Esther 9: 26–28
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