Purim, which is the Hebrew word for 'lots', is observed in remembrance of a deliverance of God's people from extermination as recorded in the Book of Esther. An enemy of God, the wicked Haman, cast lots to determine the date for the destruction of God's people in Persia. Through the steadfast devotion of a Jewish man, Mordecai, and the bravery of his adopted daughter, Esther, the plans of the wicked Haman were thwarted and God's people were delivered from destruction. Though not an observance commanded by God as a Holy Day, Purim's causative event is recorded and it's observance is proclaimed in Scripture in the Book of Ester (Esther).
Deliverance from evil is a repeated blessing from God, yet God's people await the Deliverer's return and the elimination of evil. Purim looks forward to the Deliverer's coming as every year Purim celebrants recite: Utzu etzah, vetufar; dabru davar, velo yakum; ki immanuel. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) 8:10
God is with us - Immanuel - who we know as Yeshua HaMashiach - Jesus Christ our Lord
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS (Yeshua - which in Hebrew means salvation): for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Mattityahu (Matthew) 1:21-23
Purim is a three day event. The first day, called the Fast of Esther, is a daylight fast day - it is observed on 13 Adar (Sheni or Beyt - in years having an extra month as does 5760). The second day, 14 Adar (Sheni or Beyt) is the Feast of Esther. The third day, 15 Adar (Sheni or Beyt) is called Shushan Purim.
In early times the feast was known as Mordecai's Day and began as an observance shortly after 490 BCE when the deliverance of the Jewish people in Persia occurred.
Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; Esther 9:19-23
The Purim season begins with Shekalim, the first Shabbat of Adar (Sheni or Beyt - in years having an extra month). Traditionally, every member of the congregation donates a half-Shekel for the repair of the Temple. The half-Shekel is also designated for personal purification. Exodus 30:11-16 is read.
The next Shabbat is Zakhor. It is a remembrance of the deliverance from the Amalekites (Haman was an Amalekite). This is the Sabbath before Purim. Exodus 17:8-16 and Deuteronomy 25:17-19 are read.
Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it. D'varim (Deuteronomy) 25:17-19
On the 13th of Adar (Sheni or Beyt) a daylight fast is observed. S'lihot are offered and Teshuvah is a theme. What is known as God's Thirteen Attributes are read from the Torah (Exodus 32:11-14; 34:1-10)
In the evening service the Book of Esther is read. The book is referred to as a megillah in Hebrew - in English a scroll. This megillah is perhaps best known of the 5 megillot which are read on special days - The Song of Solomon (Pesach), Ruth (Shavuot), Lamentations (Tisha B'Av), Ecclesiastes (Sukkot), and Esther (Purim).
Blessings are customarily said before the reading of the scroll:
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu melech ha-olam sheh-asah nissim l'avoteynu ba-yamim ha-heym bazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days at this time of year.
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu melech ha-olam sheh-hechianu v'ki'manu v'higianu lazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us life, lifted us up, and brought us to this moment.
Then the scroll of Esther is read. During the reading of the scroll the congregation blots out the sound of the name of Haman using noisemakers called groggers and by booing and stamping feet.
After the Megillah is completed, a blessing is given:
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu melech ha-olam horov et rivaynu, v'hadon et dinaynu, v'hanokaym et nikmotaynu, v'ham'shalaym g'mul l'chol oh'y'vay nafshaynu, v'hanifro lonu mitzoraynu. Baruch atah Adonai, hanifro l'amo Yisrael mikol tzorayhem, ho-Ayl hamoshia.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has contended for us and defended our cause, avenging us by bringing retribution on all our mortal enemies and delivering us from our adversaries. Blessed are You, Lord, who delivers His people Israel from all their adversaries - God who saves.
It is customary to put a silver dollar or half-dollar for each family member into a collection for the poor. Other gifts of charity to the poor are also given. Typically families and friends will exchange gifts or food delicacies and hold a festive meal called Purim Seudah. The table is dominated by a huge Purim challah or koiletch.
One of the most popular food delicacies is called Hamantashen, Haman's hat, a poppy seed filled pastry.
Purim is a joyous festival throughout the Jewish world. The Adloyada (which means 'until you don't know') parade and carnival has been held in Tel Aviv, Israel each year since the 1920's. Part of the festivities include a Queen Esther beauty contest.
In the story of Purim we can see God teaching us of ourselves and aspects of the His Kingdom.
FAITHFUL SERVANT - Mordecai is faithful, a covenant keeper. He raises his adopted daughter in the faith. He helps defend the king. He is written in the book of the kingdom for his faithfulness. As his reward he receives royal dress, title, and a role in the kingdom.
DELIVERER - Esther is humble, obedient, and pure. A bride of the king. She risks her position and safety to bring about a deliverance of the people.
ADVERSARY - Haman is the accuser and a hater of the faithful. He wants to be treated as the king or even as a god. He plots to destroy the people. He suffers shame and finally a gruesome death for his evil deeds.
DISOBEDIENT SERVANT - Vashti is proud and self exalting. She is cast out for her disobedience.
RULER - King Ahasuerus casts out the disobedient Vashti, raises faithful Mordecai and Esther, and destroys the evil Haman.
The Story of the Book of Esther
About 480 BCE many Jewish people remained in Persia. They were comfortable in exile and were fairly well assimilated into Persian society. Esther, whose Hebrew name was Hadassah (myrtle) was a beautiful young woman who had been adopted and raised by her cousin Mordecai - a descendent of King Saul.
The King of Persia, Ahasuerus, held a feast for his subjects. On the final day of the feast, while drunk, he ordered his queen, Vashti, to show her great beauty to the men in attendance. She refused so she was deposed and cast out.
Ahasuerus sought a new queen among the maidens of the land. Because of her great beauty Esther was chosen as the new Queen of Persia.
Mordecai would go frequently to the palace to check on his daughter and once heard two of the king's men plotting to kill the king. He promptly reported it to Esther and the king hanged the men. Mordecai's faithfulness was recorded in the book of the king.
An evil man, Haman, an Amalekite (Amalekites were age old enemies of the Israelites), was promoted to a prominent position in the court, only subject to the king himself. All subjects were to bow down to Haman but Mordecai, as a follower of the God of Israel, refused. Haman decided to kill all the Jewish people since they would not bow down to him. He cast lots to determine the date for the death of ALL Jews - Adar 13 - 11 months from the casting of lots.
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. Esther 3:5-7
By deceiving King Ahasuerus he obtained permission to kill the Jewish people.
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. Esther 3:8-9
When Mordecai heard the news that all the Jewish people were to be killed he went into mourning. He asked Esther to intercede on the people's behalf. She was afraid because it was not lawful to go before the king without being summoned. The penalty was death unless the king decided to stay the execution.
Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:13-14
Esther asked that all the Jewish people fast 3 days for her before she went before the king. The king not only spared her life but promised to grant any request within his power. She said she would reveal her request in time and invited the king and Haman to a feast in their honor. Haman, when going home after the feast, was confronted once again with Mordecai's refusal to bow and determined to hang Mordecai on a 75 foot gallows the next morning.
That night the king could not sleep and asked his attendants to read to him from the royal book. They read the part about Mordecai's faithfulness. The king realized Mordecai had gone unrewarded. The next morning the king called in Haman who was waiting in the court to obtain permission to hang Mordecai.
So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou has spoken. Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. Esther 6:6-13
So the humiliated Haman went to Esther's feast. She told the king her desire to save her people and named Haman as the enemy.
And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Esther 7:6
And Haman was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
The king issued a decree allowing the Jewish people the right of defending themselves. When Adar 13 arrived the Jewish people were ready.
Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them...Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey. Esther 9:5-16