Every year starting on the Hebrew date of Adar 14 ( March 9, 2020), Jewish people all over the world celebrate the victorious festival of Purim. This religious celebration commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from the cruel Haman’s plot to rid them from the world. So raise a glass, rejoice, and feast — Chag Purim Sameach!
Purim’s (which roughly translates into “lots” in ancient Persian) story begins in 4th century BCE, when Jewish people lived under the law of the Persian Empire. King Ahasuerus had just had his wife, Queen Vashti, executed for refusing to follow his orders and decided to arrange a beauty pageant in order to find a new wife. Esther, a Jewish girl, had caught his attention, quickly becoming the new queen, however she refused to reveal her nationality.
During all of this, Haman — who was actively against all things having to do with Judaism — was newly appointed prime minister of the empire. Leader of the Jews and cousin of the new queen, Mordechai, refused the king’s orders to bow. Fueled by his active hatred, Haman talked the king into setting forward a decree that dictated the mass genocide of all Jews during Adar 13.
While Mordechai convinced all of his fellow Jews to quickly repent, Queen Esther asked the king and Haman to join her for a large feast. During the meal, Esther revealed to both her husband and the prime minister that she, herself, was Jewish, and to kill all Jews would be to plot against killing the king’s wife. Haman was instantly hanged and Esther’s cousin Mordechai was appointed the new prime minister. His first decree granted all Jews the right to defend themselves against anyone trying to harm them due to their religion.
On Adar 13, the Jews of the Persian Empire rose up and attacked a large amount of the people plotting to kill them by the masses and on the following day, Adar 14, they rested and celebrated. Though Jewish people all over the world take part in celebrating Purim, the holiday is celebrated at large in Israel with a huge festival lasting from Adar 14 to Adar 15 (March 9 and 10, 2020).
