"They called these days "Purim" from the word "pur." Esther 9:26 (Israel365)

For Haman...had plotted to annihilate  the Jews and he cast a pur  (that is, the lot) to terrify and annihilate them.  But when she (Queen Esther) appeared  before the king, he commanded that  (Haman's) wicked scheme... should  recoil on his own head... Therefore  they called these days "Purim"  from the word "pur." ESTHER (9:24-26) כִּי הָמָן ... חָשַׁב עַל הַיְּהוּדִים  לְאַבְּדָם וְהִפִּל פּוּר- הוּא הַגּוֹרָל - לְהֻמָּם  וּלְאַבְּדָם. וּבְבֹאָהּ לִפְנֵי  הַמֶּלֶךְ אָמַר ...יָשׁוּב מַחֲשַׁבְתּוֹ  הָרָעָה  ...עַל רֹאשׁוֹ.... עַל כֵּן קָרְאוּ  לַיָּמִים הָאֵלֶּה פוּרִים עַל שֵׁם הַפּוּר אֶסְתֵּר ט:כד-כו kee ha-MAN ... tzo-RAYR kol ha-yi-hu-DEEM kha-SHAV al ha-yi-hu-DEEM li-ab-DAM vi-hi-PIL pur - hu ha-go-RAL - li-hu-MAN u-li-ab-DAM. u-v'vo-A lif-NAY ha-me-LEKH a-MAR im ha-say-FER ya-SHUV ma-kha-shav-TO ha-ra-A ... al ro-SHO ... al kayn kar-U la-ya-MEEM ha-ay-LE pu-REEM al shaym ha-PUR

Shabbat Inspiration

The book of Esther is the only book of Scripture where God's name is never mentioned, but our Sages teach that wherever the book refers to "the king" as in today's verse, it alludes to the true King above. The book gives beautiful lessons and hope for our days when God's hand is seemingly hidden. 

Today the Jews of Hebron keep miracles alive - a small minority surrounded by Arabs - staying connected to our holy sites and praying in the merit of our forefathers and foremothers buried in Hebron. Bring joy to the Hebron community this Purim by sponsoring their festive meal with the IDF soldiers who protect them, and distributing charity to the needy.

Support the Hebron Fund this Purim »




Purim Story Unveiled
Learn the story of Purim in this dynamic 4 minute video. Esther's heroism saved the Jews and taught eternal lessons relevant to our times.

Watch Here »


Hebron Kids Surprise Anti-Israel Activists
An anti-Israel group often comes to Hebron to “document” Israeli mistreatment of local Arabs. But on a recent visit, they were greeted by an unexpected sight. Read More »

Silver Miniature Torah Crown 

This sterling silver miniature Torah Crown features an antique design which is reminiscent of the style of
Torah that existed in ancient time. The Torah Crown or “Keter Torah” in Hebrew is known to be a
significant part of the Torah reading.

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Today's Israel Photo
On Purim, the Hebron Fund holds a joyful meal for Hebron residents and the IDF soldiers protecting them. Another joyous highlight is the parade to the Cave of Machpelah, where our Patriarchs and Matriarchs are buried.

Support the Hebron Fund »



Thank You
Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Anie Nasir of New Zealand. Toda raba!

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Queen Esther- One Night With The King - full length movie (Purim)

One Night With The King

"One Night With The King" tells the story of the Jewess Hadassah, who became Queen Esther in the Persian Empire. Through her boldness and obedience, she helped save the Jew from extinction, once again. The story of Purim, the Jewish feast.

"From whence comes the purpose of a person's life? Come it by chance, a casting of the lot,or does a call of destiny beckon to each of us? Many have wondered about my little Hadassah and why a simple Jewish orphan was chosen to stand against the annihilation of her people. And yet the mystery of the girl most know as Esther begins not where one might think, but 500 years earlier with a single act of disobedience." Uncle Mordecai

Hadassah/Esther

Haman

King Xerxes

Mordecai

Purim - Feast of Lots By Mary Fairchild

Feast of Lots

by Mary Fairchild

Jews read the Book of Esther on Purim.

Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images

Bible Feasts:

Paul said in Colossians 2:16-17 that the Jewish feasts and celebrations were actually a shadow of the things to come through Jesus Christ. And though as Christians we may not commemorate these holidays in the traditional biblical sense, as we discover the significance of each, we will certainly gain a greater knowledge of God's Word, an improved understanding of the Bible, and a deeper relationship with the Lord.
Feast of Lots - Purim:

The Feast of Lots, or Purim, commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people through the heroism of Queen Esther in Persia. The name Purim, or "lots," was most likely given to this festival in a sense of irony, because Haman, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted against them to completely destroy them by casting the lot (Esther 9:24). Today Jews not only celebrate this great deliverance on Purim, but also the continued survival of the Jewish race.

Time of Observance:

Today Purim is celebrated on day 14 of the Hebrew month of Adar (February or March). Originally Purim was established as a two-day observance (Esther 9:27).

• See Bible Feasts Calendar for actual dates.
Scripture Reference: The story of Purim is recorded in the Old Testament book of Esther. 

About Purim:

Photo from the movie "One Night With The King"

During his third year of reign over the Persian Empire, King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) was ruling from his royal throne in the city of Susa (southwestern Iran), and he held a banquet for all his nobles and officials. When summoned to appear before him, his beautiful wife, Queen Vashti, refused to come. As a result she was forever banished from the King's presence, and a new Queen was sought from among the most beautiful young virgins of the kingdom.

Mordecai, a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, had been living as an exile in Susa at the time. He had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had adopted and raised as his own daughter after her parents had died. Hadassah, or Esther, meaning "star" in Persian, was lovely in form and features, and she found favor in the eyes of the King and was chosen among hundreds of women to become Queen in the place of Vashti.

Meanwhile, Mordecai uncovered a plot to have the King assassinated and told his cousin Queen Esther about it. She in turn, reported the news to the King, and gave the credit to Mordecai.

Later on Haman, an evil man, was given the highest seat of honor by the King, but Mordecai refused to kneel down and pay him honor. This greatly angered Haman, and knowing that Mordecai was a Jew, a member of the race he hated, Haman began to plot a way to destroy all of the Jews throughout Persia. Haman convinced King Xerxes to issue a decree for their annihilation.

Up until this time, Queen Esther had kept her Jewish heritage a secret from the King. Now Mordecai encouraged her to go into the King's presence and beg for mercy on behalf of the Jews.

Believing that God had prepared her for this very moment in history—"for such a time as this"—as a vessel of deliverance for her people, Esther urged all of the Jews in the city to fast and pray for her. She was about to risk her own life to request an audience with the King.

Photo: "One Night With The King"

When she appeared before King Xerxes he was pleased to listen to Esther and grant whatever request she might have. When Esther revealed her identity as a Jew and then pleaded for her own life and the lives of her people, the King became enraged with Haman and had him and his sons hanged on the gallows (or impaled on a wooden pole).

King Xerxes reversed his previous order to have the Jewish people destroyed, and gave Jews the right to assemble and protect themselves. Mordecai then received a place of honor in the King's palace as second in rank and encouraged all Jews to participate in an annual celebration of feasting and joy, in remembrance of this great salvation and turn of events. By Queen Esther's official decree, these days were established as a lasting custom called Purim, or the Feast of Lots.

• Learn more about Purim Customs and Celebrations.

Jesus and the Feast of Lots:

Purim is a celebration of God's faithfulness, deliverance and protection. Although the Jews were sentenced to death by King Xerxes' original decree, through Queen Esther's courageous intervention and willingness to face death, the people's lives were spared. Similarly, all of us who have sinned have been issued a decree of death, but through the intervention of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the old decree has been satisfied and a new proclamation of eternal life has been established:

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (NLT)

More Facts About Purim

Purim is still joyously celebrated today among Jews with the reading of entire book of Esther in the synagogue. Using noisemakers, people loudly cheer at the mention of Mordecai's name and sounds of hissing, stamping of feet and booing can be heard when Haman's name is spoken.

Hamantashen is a traditional Jewish treat eaten during Purim. It has three corners and represents Haman's hat.

It is common to see Purim plays reenacting the story of Esther on Purim. Street parades and carnivals have also become popular, and people dress up in costumes symbolizing Esther's concealed identity.
Jews are required on Purim to give gifts to the poor.

More about Purim.

Looking for a Contemporary Rendition of the Story of Esther? 

• One Night With the King (2006) - DVD


• One Night With the King - Paperback Book


More About Bible Feasts
Bible Feasts Calendar
The Feast of Dedication
Foods of the Bible
Related Articles
Esther - Teens of the Bible
Legends of the Jews - BIBLE TIMES AND CHARACTERS from Joshua to Esther
Esther - Introduction To The Book Of Esther
The Book of Esther - Chapter 8
The Book of Esther - Chapter 7


Mary Fairchild
About.com Christianity
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Source: Christianity.About.com

Let God Be True - Proverbs 16:9

"A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Click here to listen to Commentary

Men have intelligence. They set goals and plan the means to achieve them. Irrational creatures cannot do this; they only react by instincts to stimulus. But the sovereign God manages the details of men’s plans, so that you are dependent upon Him, for He may bless the good man with a favorable outcome and turn the evil man’s plans upside down.

This proverb of Solomon is important. God rules your life. Man proposes; God disposes. Man freely devises; God powerfully directs. Man creatively plans; God masterfully dictates. Man acts as he pleases; God is pleased by how He uses man’s actions. God is the LORD! Your life and its plans are in His hands. Learn how to utilize this knowledge.

Many wander and wonder through life, wishing they knew God’s will for them. But His will is not a mystery, and much of the answer is in this proverb. Commit your works to the LORD (Pr 16:3; Ps 37:4-5); devise a way to achieve your desired godly objectives (Pr 16:1; 15:22;20:18); believe that He will take care of the details (Ps 37:23; 84:11).

Obedient Christian reader, these words are for you: the LORD gave you a heart, so follow your affections for what you prefer. He gave you a mind, so think of how you might achieve your goals. Once you commit it to God and follow the rules of Scriptural wisdom, go for it! No matter what it is! Simply submit it to God’s will (James 4:13-15).

There is no “perfect” anything, so do not look for it. You live in a sinful world; everything is imperfect. God has not revealed perfect choices. You cannot see even the outcome of the next five minutes. You will waste your life searching, and you will always be frustrated. Most any job will do, if the Lord directs your steps. And this is the same with marriage, house hunting, business deals, family size, and so forth and so on.

Ruth was a poor widow in a foreign land. She devised in her heart to glean fields – pick up scraps after the reapers – a lowly job with little future potential (Ruth 2:2). But the LORD directed her steps to the field of Boaz, a rich, single man who ended up marrying her, and they had David as their great-grandson (Ruth 2:3; 4:17). Give God the glory!

The Jews were condemned by the Persian Empire to genocide! Esther devised in her heart to have King Ahasuerus and Haman to lunch, though she feared for her life to even ask for the meeting (Esth 4:16-17). But the LORD turned the king’s heart toward her with great affection and responsiveness. After she told him of Haman’s evil plans, the King found Haman begging on her bed, and that was that (Esth 7:7-8)! Give God the glory!

Abraham devised a way to find a wife for Isaac, and the servant met Rebekah first. Jacob devised a way to flee from Esau, and the Lord blessed him to become rich with a large family. Joseph chose to be righteous, and the Lord directed his steps to Egypt’s throne. Jesse devised a way to send food to his sons in the army by his youngest son David, not knowing that God was directing David’s steps for a showdown with Goliath.

But look carefully at Esther in reverse. Haman devised a way in his heart to annihilate the Jews, and he manipulated King Ahasuerus into signing the decree (Esth 3:1-15). But the Lord directed him to total humility and ruin by building a gallows, meeting the king at a time that resulted in honoring Mordecai, and falling on Esther’s bed (Esth 5:1 – 7:10)!

Consider Joseph in reverse. His brothers devised a way to get rid of “the dreamer,” who tormented them by his divine revelations, but the Lord directed their steps to sell him into Egypt, where he saved them all from starvation some years later (Gen 45:4-8; 50:19-21). They eventually fulfilled every dream Joseph had about them bowing low before him.

The Jews devised in their hearts to rid themselves of Jesus of Nazareth, but the glorious LORD turned their devices upside down. His crucifixion was God’s choice for the salvation of the very people they hated and hoped to ruin, and He returned in holy revenge to destroy their temple, city, and nation. Every step they took in this most heinous crime was according to God’s eternal purpose (Acts 2:23; 3:18;4:28; 15:18).

When hearing about plans of wicked men, do not worry. They can bring nothing to pass that God has not already planned from eternity to overrule for His own glory, purposes, and people. The wicked are His pawns or puppets – His sword and His hand (Ps 17:13-14). Remember, He may even allow prosperity to deceive them (Pr 1:32). Remember, He may allow them to be successful for a while to heap up riches for you (Pr 13:22).

When facing a decision and not knowing what to do, here is wisdom. Submit your life and works to the LORD, choose that course that pleases you best within the limits of godly wisdom, obtain the approval of many wise counselors, and move ahead trusting the Lord to take care of the details out of your control. Do not fret about perfect goals or strategies, for you are not capable of picking them. Your Heavenly Father cares for you, and He can more than compensate for any “mistake” you make with an inferior choice.

Learn the additional wisdom of Psalm 127:1-2, where David explained that your best efforts are vain without God’s blessing. Though God expects you to apply yourself diligently to achieve your goals, the outcome truly depends on His favor, not your ability or genius in planning or executing your desire. He wants you to back off unreasonable worries or effort and go to sleep, because He loves you and will provide what you need.

Love For His People Editor's Note: This came through an e-mail I received from another. It is from: 

Let God Be True

Steve Martin