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Purim
Purim is one of the most celebrated Jewish holidays. It commemorates the victory of the Jews against the annihilation plan of Hamman the Agagite, as recounted in the Biblical Book of Esther.
500 Questions
How long was Esther Queen of Persia?
Asked by Wiki User
There was no King Ahasuerus of Persia, but many Bible commentaries observe that Ahasuerus is likely the Hebraicised version of King Xerxes, the Achaemenid leader who ruled from 486 to 465 BCE.
Esther is unlikely to have been Xerxes'wife, because his only known wife, Amestris, continued in her role well beyond his third year as king (the date the text suggests Vashti was deposed). Other problems in the story call into question the story's reliability, for example Mordecai is identified as having been sent into exile by Nebuchadnezzar - an event that must have place over a century before Xerxes assumed power.
Who was Mordecai in the book of Esther?
Asked by Wiki User
Mordecai, one of the Jews exiled to Babylonia after the First Destruction, was the cousin of Queen Esther. He was one of the leading Jewish sages of the time. His deeds are recounted at length in the Book of Esther (and are too many to list here). By the end of the reign of King Ahaseurus, Mordecai had become viceroy to the King.
How do you say happy purim in Hebrew?
Asked by Wiki User
You can say Khag Purim Same'akh (×—×’ ×¤×•×¨×™× ×©×ž×—) but it's more common just to say Khag Sameakh, which means happy holiday.
What is the name of Her book that is read during Jewish holiday Purim?
Asked by Wiki User
The book that is read on the Jewish holiday of Purim is called Megillat Esther (the Book of Esther) which tells the story of Jewish salvation during the time of King Achashverosh (Ahasuerus), ruler of the Persian-Median Empire approximately during the 4th century BCE.
Do all branches of Jews celebrate Purim?
Asked by Wiki User
All Jews who aren't completely assimilated. So rather just ask how many Jews are there.
Purim, like the Passover Seder, Yom Kippur, circumcision, bar mitzvah and certain other things, is one of those parts of Judaism observed by all Jews who are even minimally aware of their heritage.
During Purim what are Jewish people allowed to drink?
Asked by Wiki User
Jews can drink anything but adults are expected to drink alcohol to the point they become mildly drunk.
Is the Book of Esther real?
Asked by Wiki User
One can read The scroll of Esther (especially in Hebrew) and can find very strong symbolism in its writing, for instance:
Esther the name is quite interesting;
there was a Zarathustra (the ancient religion in Persia) goddess named Ishtar.
(there was also a Zarathustra god name Murdoch which resemble Mordecai).
Esther can also be read as "hide" in Hebrew - which is set with the role of god in the events of the scroll (a hidden intervention in history).
The scroll of Esther is special in that: it doesn't discusses god.
To conclude in Jewish studying of the bible the tradition is that you read the text many times and can find new meanings in it, you start however, in reading it "pshat" - simplified - and only then you can research it more. The scroll is to be read as a regular story.
What exhortation did Mordecai send through Hathach to Esther in chapter 4 verses 13-14?
Asked by Wiki User
He told her that she should not imagine that she would survive if all the Jews perished.
What Jewish woman became queen of Babylon?
Asked by Wiki User
Esther became Queen when she married King Ahasuerus.
Did Haman try to kill Esther when she exposed him?
Asked by Wiki User
Haman had no time nor say to do anything to Esther, for once he was exposed as the one that wanted to kill Esther along with all the Jews, Achashveirosh (the king married to Esther) had Haman doomed to death.
Why do we give matanot l'evyonim?
Asked by Wiki User
Giving matanot l'evyonim comes from Esther 9:20-22
"And Mordecai inscribed these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, to enjoin them to make the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and the fifteenth day thereof, every year, as the days when the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month that was reversed for them from grief to joy and from mourning to a festive day-to make them days of feasting and joy, and sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor."
Why were 75000 Persians killed by Esther and Mordecai?
Asked by Wiki User
In its Introduction to the Book of Esther, the New American Bible describes the book as "vindictive". That description is probably the best explanation, as the book itself appears to be a work of fiction and there is no extra-biblical evidence that there ever was a Queen Esther or that the Persians were killed.
What did Queen Esther look like?
Asked by Wiki User
Scholars say that the Book of Esther appears to be a work of fiction, and that there is no evidence that Xerxes was ever married to Esther. They also say that Esther is unlikely to have been a real person. If she did exist, Esther would have been Semitic and therefore dark complexioned, much like modern Arabs and Sephardic Jews.
Who is the audience of the Book of Esther?
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Why do people wear costumes and masks on Purim?
Asked by Wiki User
People dress up and wear masks on Purim to commemorate that fact recorded in the Megila that after the Jews got the upper hand, many of the local non-Jews dressed up as Jews in the hope of escaping punishment.
See Esther 8:17:And in every province, and in every city, wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land behaved as Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Why do some Jews call a synagogue a temple?
Asked by Wiki User
Synagogue is a Greek word which means Jewish house of prayer. In modern Jewish communities, synagogues are used for public prayer, and sometimes as community centers, catering hall, kosher kitchen, day care center, Jewish library or religious school.
- Answer 2
Prayer is an important form of communicating with God, and maintaining a relationship with Him; and it is also good for the health of the soul, to which Torah, prayer and religious observances are a form of nourishment.
What did haman decree?
Asked by Wiki User
He decreed that all the Jews of Shushan, Persia should be put to death on the 15th of Adar.
How does Queen Esther rescue people?
Asked by Wiki User
Queen Esther went to the king and pleaded for mercy for the Jews, and she admitted she had deceived the king, so the king said the decree could not be changed. Then in a new one the Jews could defend themselves.
What is the meaning of Haman?
Asked by Wiki User
Haman is presumably an ancient Persian name, but it has no meaning in Hebrew.
Was Esther a girl or boy?
Asked by Wiki User
Female.(A lady.)She was an amazing Jewish girl that became queen.(Read about her in the BIBLE.) -
oh this is some else - She has her own book in the Bible , which is (obviously) the
book of Esther.
A note:
Oddly, even though the Persians kept good records about their queens, she is not listed
as being one.
