Observation of The Feast of Purim

The Feast of Purim is a time when our ancestors, celebrated and commemorated the defeat of a confederacy within The Persian Empire of 4th century BCE, who tried to wipe out The Most High’s Elect from the face of the earth. The empire of the Medes and Persians at that time, was extended over 127 lands, all the way from India to the Horn of Africa.

Many of our people who were scattered because of the previous exile prior during the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar, were still scattered in the diaspora, and many from the tribe of Judah, were in ancient Persia, modern day Iran, and even still till this day.

Purim... "to cast lots"

Ester, a daughter of Zion, from the tribe of Judah, played a major role in the deliverance of our people, as Haman, a counselor of the King of Persia, King Ahasuerus, plotted with the wicked to exterminate The Most High’s Elect, from amongst them. They cast "lots" to determine that the day of destruction to the Tribe of Judah, will take place on the 13th day of the 12th month Adar, hence the name "Purim", which means to cast lots. Ester, whose parents died during the exile of our people in the previous Babylonian empire, was an orphan. Her cousin Mordecai, from the tribe of Benjamine, adopted her becoming her caregiver, and became highly esteemed by the king of Persia, because of his loyalty to the king, in protecting him from a plot by two of the king's chamberlains, who wanted to destroy him.

'In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.'

Esther 2:21-23

Our ancestor Ester, who the king of Persia chose to wife, after being presented by her cousin Mordecai, risked her life by entering the king’s court unwarranted, after learning about the plot of a confederate group, to destroy her people. She then presented her petition to the king.

'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. 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. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. '

Esther 3:7-14

'When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; and came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was , and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; all the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. 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? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer , Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.'

Esther 4:1-17

The King of Persia received Ester’s petition, then ultimately reversed his decree to destroy The Most High’s Elect, destroying those plotting those to eliminate our ancestors, confirming the ancient text saying, that the evil that was meant for us, was used for our good.

'So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.'

Esther 7:1-10

I find it interesting, that The Feast of Purim is observed one month before Passover. This Feast is observed by a time of fasting on the 13th day of Shteym ‘Eser (Adar) and feasting on the 14th and 15th days of celebrating this miraculous event. The Feast of Purim appears to be a foreshadowing of how The Most High provided a way, in perpetuity, to redeem His people from the oppression of His enemies.

So during the Feast of Purim, we should take opportunity to praise The Most High for His perpetual provision, in divinely protecting His people, an delivering us from constant attacks of our adversaries.

Partake in Passover.

'May The Most High bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you]; The Most High make His face shine upon you [with favor], And be gracious to you [surrounding you with love and kindness]; May The Most High lift up His countenance (face) upon you [with divine approval], And give you Shalom [peace and blessings]."

Numbers 6:24-26