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Queen Esther, Far Away And Long Ago 1/5
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Info: Mysteries Of The Bible - Queen Esther, Far Away And Long Ago.
Purim (Hebrew: פורים, meaning "lots", related to Akkadian pūru) is a festival that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people of the ancient Persian Empire from Haman's plot to annihilate them, as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). According to the story, Haman cast lots to determine the day upon which to exterminate the Jews.
Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (Adar II in leap years), the day following the victory of the Jews over their enemies; as with all Jewish holidays, Purim begins at sundown on the previous secular day. Purim is characterized by public recitation of the Book of Esther, giving mutual gifts of food and drink, giving charity to the poor, and a celebratory meal; other customs include drinking wine, wearing of masks and costumes - especially those of Purim heroes, and public celebration.
Jewish exiles from the Kingdom of Judah who had been living in the Babylonian captivity (6th Century BCE) found themselves under Persian rule after Babylonia was in turn conquered by the Persian Empire. According to the Book of Esther, Haman, royal vizier to King Ahasuerus (Artaxerxes II), planned to kill all the Jews in the Empire, but his plans were foiled by Esther (Persian: Asturya), the Jewish queen. Mordecai, a palace official, uncle and foster parent of Esther, subsequently replaced Haman. The Jews were delivered from being the victims of an evil decree against them and were instead allowed by the King to destroy Haman's supporters, and the day after the battle was designated as a day of feasting and rejoicing.
Though the Book of Esther had been a controversial scroll during the Late Judean Kingdom and the first centuries of the common era, it has become popular during the middle ages, when racial hatred and inquisition were pushing European Jews to the edge of survival, away from their homeland. It has also become a book of hope in the dark times of World War II, when another villain partially succeeded where Haman had previously failed. Though it tells of the survival of the Jews, Esther's story holds a message to all peoples. A message of moral responsibiliy, a statement against hatred and bigotry, whoever its victims may be, whether in Queen Esther's time or our own.
