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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.
204 Questions
What time does Taanit Esther begin and end?
The Fast of Esther (Ta'anit Ester, or ×ª×¢× ×™×ª ×סתר‎) is a fast from dawn until sunset on the day before Purim, commemorating the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim.
Did Ezra write the book of Esther?
Did vashti queen of Persia have children?
The record of ('Queen') Vashti is in the book of Esther. She was the King's first wife, or queen consort, or most prominent/leading wife, but was deposed for disobedience to her husband, the King. She was replaced by Esther, a Jewess.
The book of Esther does not say that Vashti had any children by the King. As she had incited the King's disfavor and been dismissed from the household, whatever happened to her after that was not considered significant enough to include in the bible record.
Where did Esther and her cousin Mordecai live?
As a baby she was given to her cousin Mordechai to raise, when her parents died. She and her cousin lived in Susa (Shushan), in Persia.
An explanation of Jewish concepts is warranted prior to answering the question itself.
When discussing Jewish religious concepts, the preferred language is Hebrew as the Tanach (Jewish Bible) is in Hebrew. In Hebrew, there is the title 'Tzadik', a Tzadik is a righteous person. The root of 'tzadik' is 'tzedek' which means justice or righteousness. Therefore, the title Tzadik is refers to a person who seeks justice.
Sometimes, when discussing a subject with English speakers, English words will be used. In this case, the title of 'saint' is used in place of the word 'tzadik'. Obviously though, in this context, the word 'saint' does not have the same meaning as the Christian use of the word.
Now, to answer the question itself. Although Queen Esther is a prophet in Judaism, she was not a tzadik. It was her uncle Mordechai who was a tzadik.
What three-cornered cookie is traditionally eaten during Purim?
It is called a "hamentashen" in Yiddish and "Ozney Haman" in Hebrew and is traditionally filled with poppy seed. Though nowadays it can be filled with anything - including jelly or chocolate.
What was hamans plot against the Jews?
Haman plotted to exterminate all of the Jews of Shushan, Persia. Instead, he was executed on the date he had chosen for the extermination.
What is the meaning of 'Adloyada' on Purim?
Until you don't know...the difference between the names Mordechai and Haman read in Megillat Esther.
Also used as a name for a carnival or party on Purim from this idea.
Yes queen Esther was the most beautiful lady in the land.
The Talmud states that Esther's mother died in childbirth. Her father, who died before Esther was born (ibid.), may have perished during the destruction of the First Temple.
What city was Queen Esther born in?
Esther was an Israelite from Judea (Israel). Mordecai, Esther's cousin, came from the tribe of Benjamin (Esther 2:5).
While not directly mentioned, it can be inferred from this that Esther was also from the tribe of Benjamin.
Was queen vashti pregnant in the story of Esther?
No it is not likely that queen Vashti ,was pregnant when she was sent into exile.Or the king would take a more lenient view on her.
Why is Esther in the Jewish Bible but the Maccabees is not?
It is believed that the Council of Jamnia, meeting around 96 CE, decided on the books to be canonised in the Jewish Bible. Although the Book of Esther was included, all the material recognised as not being original to the earliest version of the book was excised from the accepted version.
Although Esther is obviously not a religious book and does not even mention God (although later additions used in the Catholic version do), it does portray the Jews in a very flattering light. It was therefore not very difficult for its supporters to gain the necessary votes for inclusion of Esther.
1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees were written at about the same time by two different authors regarding an earlier period in Jewish history. Although the Catholic Church seems to have had no problem reconciling the two books, the Jewish sages could perhaps have found it difficult to do so. 3 Maccabees is clearly a book of the Common Era.
Jewish answer:
According to Jewish tradition, prophecy ended two or three decades after the book of Esther was written. The books of Maccabees were composed centuries later, making them non-prophetic, non-Biblical material for Jews.
On what day was purim held in Prague?
This year (2009), Purim occurred on March 10. It was celebrated by Jewish individuals, groups, and communities on the same date, wherever in the world they were.
In 2011, Purim is celebrated on March 20.
What is the judaism festival of haman?
There is no such holiday called 'Haman'. Haman is a character in the story of Purim.
Did Esther have to undress for Achashverosh in Purim?
Since the two were married, and eventually had children, it would seem natural that at some points Esther undressed for her husband. But it is not recorded that she had to perform the stunts he expected of his first wife, Vashti.
Is it a mitzvah to drink alcohol on Purim?
Yes. One is supposed to drink until he "knows not". in Hebrew "ad de-lo ya-da"
The fast of Ester is a Jewish fast day that occurs usually the day before Purim commemorating the fast that Esther called for in the story of Purim. More information on the Fast of Esther at http://www.answers.com/topic/fast-of-esther
