In memory of Malka – zl
No other book of the Hebrew Testament has received such mixed reviews by good, God-fearing men as the Book of Esther. It has had the unique, but clear distinction of frequently being praised by many Jews and ignored or disliked by even more Christians. So appreciative of the book was the great Jewish scholar Moses Mendelsohn (1135-1204) that he ranked it after the Pentateuch. However, Martin Luther voiced the sentiment of many Christians in declaring: “I am so hostile to this book (II Maccabees) and to Esther that I would wish they did not exist at all, for they Judaize too greatly and have much pagan impropriety.” – Moore, Carey A. Esther, The Anchor Bible – Garden City, N.Y. Doubleday, 1971.
The festival of Purim derives from the Biblical story of Esther, one of the most dramatic and best told stories in all literature. History itself has re-enacted it time and time again, for many Hamans have risen against the Jews and many Mordechais have appeared to save them, in many countries throughout the past two millennia.
The feast of Purim dates from the second century BCE. This time element is important: Judah the Maccabee won his great victory over the Syrian-Greek ruler Nicanor on the 13th of ADAR in the year 161 BCE and that day, declared a holiday, became Purim.
The festival grew more important with every passing generation. It is clear that Purim was generally observed in Palestine sometime before the destruction of the Second Temple. The frequent bitterness of life in the unfriendly diaspora lands made Purim increasingly meaningful to the Jewish People. By resisting and destroying all kinds of Amaleks, the cowardly and evil persecutors, we, the Jewish people survived – along with preserving our observance of the holiday of Purim. The traditional Purim observance, enjoying a festive meal, and giving to the poor, was also applied to special Purims commemorating specific persecutions.
Am Israel chai v’kayam The Jewish people lives and exists despite all the Amaleks throughout history who have sought to destroy us.
Hod AVINU CHAI
Hag Purim Sameach!
Happy Purim Holiday!
