|
PURIM
A link to a good summary of the Purim Story
Esther 9:20-22
And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both near and far to establish 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.
Bab. Talmud, Hullin 139b
Where is Esther indicated in the Torah? In the verse "And I will surely hide my face(Deuteronomy 31:18) [phonetically 'Haster Astir', both words from the same root word as Esther]"
Bab. Talmud, Megillah 7b
"Rava said: It is the duty of a man to get drunk with wine on Purim until he cannot tell the difference between "cursed be Haman" and "blessed be Mordechai". Rabbah and Rabbi Zera joined together in a Purim feast. They became drunk and Rabbah arose and cut Rabbi Zera's throat. On the next day he prayed on his behalf and revived him. Next year, he [Rabbah] said "Will your honor come and we will have the Purim feast together?" He [Rabbi Zera] answered: A miracle does not take place on every occasion!"
Bab. Talmud, Sanhedrin 38 "Rabbi Hiyya remarked: wine was given with 70 letters (the numerical value of the letters of the word "yayin"- wine is 70) and secret was given with 70 letters (the numerical value of the letters of the word letters of "sod"- secret is 70). When wine enters, the secret comes out". "Rabbi Hiyya remarked: wine was given with 70 letters (the numerical value of the letters of the word "yayin"- wine is 70) and secret was given with 70 letters (the numerical value of the letters of the word letters of "sod"- secret is 70). When wine enters, the secret comes out".
Yalkut Shimoni 1057
"On that night sleep deserted the King of the universe."
Midrash Mishle
If there should come a time when all festivals will no longer be celebrated, Purim will still be observed.
Rambam: Hilkhot Megilah 2:18
All the books of the Prophets and all the Writings will be annulled in the days of the Messiah, except for the Book of Esther. It will continue to be binding like the Five Books of Moses and the entire Oral Law which will never be invalidated. Even though all memory of our suffering will be erased...still the days of Purim will not be annulled. As it is written, These days of Purim will not pass away from the Jews and its memory will never leave their descendants (Esther 9:25).
H.L. Ginsberg, Introduction to Megillat Esther
It has been remarked countless times that there is not a single mention of God in the entire book [of Esther]. When Mordecai learns of the decree that the Jews are to be annihilated, he puts on sackcloth and ashes and utters a great and bitter cry; what other biblical author would have omitted to add to the Lord? When the rest of the Jewish population of the Persian Empire learn of the decree, everybody weeps and laments and lies in sackcloth and ashes; why is there not a word about their praying, about their confessing their sins and throwing themselves on Gods mercy?...So Esther asks Mordecai to instruct all the Jews to fast -- why does she avoid the word pray?
Ethics of the Fathers 6:6
One who quotes something in the name of the person who said it brings salvation to the world, as it is written And Esther told the king in the name of Mordechai (Esther 2:22)
Traditional Purim prayer.
The Rose of Yaakov [the Jewish people] rejoiced and was glad when they all beheld the purple robe of Mordechai. You have ever been their salvation and their hope in every generation, to make known that all those who hope in You shall not be deceived, and all those who put their trust in You shall never blush with shame. Accursed is Haman, who sought to destroy me; blessed is Mordechai, the Jew; Accursed is Zeresh, the wife of my menace; blessed is Esther, who shielded me, and Charbonah, too, shall be remembered for good. Back to Jewish Calendar Sources Index Also on the WUJS site:
Purim Activities.
The very basics on the Festival of Lots.
This year's dates for Purim can be found in our Jewish Calendar.
Why not check out our Guide to Jewish Texts?
|
