Happy Purim!

What is Purim?

Purim is celebrated as a remembrance of the feast of Esther whose story is recorded in the Book of Esther.

Esther was a Jewish woman who had been chosen by the Persian King, Ahasuerus, to be Queen. This followed the banishment of the King’s former wife Vashti for disobedience.

The king was unaware that Esther was a Jew.

During her reign there was a man named Haman who was one of the King’s princes. Haman hated the Jewish people.

He convinced the King that the Jewish people had their own laws and customs and would eventually take over the kingdom, then had the king sign a decree saying that all Jews were to be killed.

But wait!

What about the Queen?

Would she attempt to save her people, or would she keep quiet in fear she would also be put to death?

She needed to speak with the king about his decree but to go before the king without an invitation was forbidden.

She fasted and prayed for three days and sent word to her people to do the same.

God answered their prayers and she was to go into the king’s chamber uninvited.
Bravely she went. The king lowered his scepter to her and allowed her to speak.

Esther invited the King and Haman to attend a feast with her and she would present her request to him.

Then she would reveal her identity and plead with the king to spare her and her people.

On the last day of her feast she did it, exposed Haman’s evil plan and told the king everything.

He loved her so much that he granted her request to save her people and had Haman put to death.

Jewish people now celebrate this feast, which they call Purim, in remembrance of the brave Queen who was willing to trust God and risk her life to save the lives of her people.

Today, Purim is celebrated by a public reading of the Book of Esther. Every time Haman’s name is read, the crowd is to hiss, boo, yell, and stomp their feet to show their dislike for the evil man.

Purim is also celebrated by dressing up in costumes and eating sweets, even gifts of food and money are sometimes given.

We are not Jewish, but we feel that celebrating the Biblical feasts is another good way of teaching the Bible to our children.
Happy Purim!
“Chag Purim Sameach!”

You can read the full story of Esther in the Book of Esther, in the Bible.