Cleromancy is a form of sortition (casting of lots ) in which an outcome is determined by means that normally would be considered random , such as the rolling of dice ( astragalomancy ), but that are sometimes believed to reveal the will of a deity.
96-550: Purim ( / ˈ p ʊər ɪ m / ; פּוּרִים Pūrīm , lit. ' lots ' ; see Name below) is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman , as it is recounted in the Book of Esther (usually dated to the late-5th or 4th centuries BCE). Haman was
192-465: A Jew should only express submissiveness to God . Consequently, Haman plots to have all of Persia's Jews killed, and eventually convinces Ahasuerus to permit him to do so. However, Esther foils the plan by revealing and decrying Haman's plans to Ahasuerus, who then has Haman executed and grants permission to the Jews to take up arms against their enemies; Esther is hailed for her courage and for working to save
288-562: A euhemerized Babylonian or Persian myth or festival (though which one is a subject of discussion). Other scholars find these hypotheses unlikely. Purim has more of a national than a religious character, and its status as a holiday is on a different level from those days ordained holy by the Torah . Hallel is not recited. As such, according to some authorities, business transactions and even manual labor are allowed on Purim under certain circumstances. A special prayer ( Al ha-Nissim – "For
384-582: A Swedish man feared he had offended a god and asked a soothsayer to cast lots to find out which god. The soothsayer determined that the Christian god had taken offence; the Swede later found a book that his son had stolen from Bishop Gautbert in his house. In ancient China , and especially in Chinese folk religion , various means of divination through random means are employed, such as qiúqiān (求簽). In Japan , omikuji
480-589: A historicized myth or ritual” and generally concluded that Purim is rooted in a Babylonian or Persian myth or festival—though which one is a subject of discussion. There is general agreement among scholars that the Book of Esther is a work of fiction. Two related forms of the Book of Esther exist: a shorter Biblical Hebrew –sourced version found in Jewish and Protestant Bibles, and a longer Koine Greek –sourced version found in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles. When she
576-503: A relatively passive figure. Throughout the story, she evolves into a character who takes a decisive role in her own future and that of her people. According to Sidnie White Crawford , "Esther's position in a male court mirrors that of the Jews in a Gentile world, with the threat of danger ever present below the seemingly calm surface." Esther is compared to Daniel in that both represent a "type" for Jews living in Diaspora, and hoping to live
672-428: A simple one: they cut a branch from a fruit-bearing tree and divide it into small pieces which they mark with certain distinctive signs and scatter at random onto a white cloth. Then, the priest of the community if the lots are consulted publicly, or the father of the family if it is done privately, after invoking the gods and with eyes raised to heaven, picks up three pieces, one at a time, and interprets them according to
768-567: A structure that includes various issues, problems and adversities and the prescriptions of offerings to correct them. The game of Waltes is a form of cleromancy practiced by traditional Mi'kmaq and preserved since colonial potlache law, the Indian Act and residential schools in Canada. It is played with a bowl, six bone dice, and a counting stick. Three sticks are grandmothers and one the grandfather. Esther Esther , originally Hadassah ,
864-486: A successful life in an alien environment. According to Susan Zaeske , by virtue of the fact that Esther used only rhetoric to convince the king to save her people, the story of Esther is a "rhetoric of exile and empowerment that, for millennia, has notably shaped the discourse of marginalized peoples such as Jews, women, and African Americans", persuading those who have power over them. Modern day Persian Jews are called "Esther's Children". A building venerated as being
960-485: Is already waiting. Ahasuerus repeats his offer to Esther of anything "up to half of the kingdom". Esther tells Ahasuerus that while she appreciates the offer, she must put before him a more basic issue: she explains that there is a person plotting to kill her and her entire people, and that this person's intentions are to harm the king and the kingdom. When Ahasuerus asks who this person is, Esther points to Haman and names him. Upon hearing this, an enraged Ahasuerus goes out to
1056-557: Is applied to the Book of Esther. It has been also customary since the time of the early Medieval era of the Geonim to unroll the whole Megillah before reading it, to give it the appearance of an epistle. According to halakha (Jewish law), the Megillah may be read in any language intelligible to the audience. According to the Mishnah ( Megillah 30b), the story of the attack on the Jews by Amalek ,
SECTION 10
#17328550370521152-506: Is celebrated annually on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (and it is celebrated in Adar II in Hebrew leap years, which occur 7 times in every 19 years), the day following the victory of the Jews over their enemies, the 13th of Adar, a date now observed in most years with the fast of Esther . In cities that were protected by a surrounding wall at the time of Joshua , Purim is celebrated on
1248-774: Is commemorated as a matriarch in the Calendar of Saints of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod on May 24. Esther is recognized as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, commemorated on the Sunday before Christmas . "The Septuagint edition of Esther contains six parts (totaling 107 verses) not found in the Hebrew Bible. Although these interpretations originally may have been composed in Hebrew, they survive only in Greek texts. Because
1344-470: Is himself dependent on charity, to give to other poor people. On Purim day, a festive meal called the Se'udat Purim is held. There is a longstanding custom of drinking wine at the feast. The Talmud (b. Megillah 7b) records that " Rava said: A person is obligated to become intoxicated on Purim, until they cannot distinguish between 'Blessed be Mordecai' and 'Cursed be Haman'". Several interpretations arose among
1440-523: Is intentionally contradicting it. Joseph Karo writes that one must "never become drunk, as this is totally forbidden and leads to terrible sins. Rather, one must drink slightly more than usual", while Moses Isserles writes that one may drink more or less, so long as the intent is pure. Yechiel Michel Epstein suggests that "until" should be read exclusively, so that one is obligated to become drunk but not so drunk that they cannot distinguish Mordecai and Haman. The Fast of Esther , observed before Purim, on
1536-521: Is introduced, in Esther 2:7, she is first referred to by the Hebrew name Hadassah , which means "myrtle tree." This name is absent from the early Greek manuscripts, although present in the targumic texts, and was probably added to the Hebrew text in the 2nd century CE at the earliest to stress the heroine's Jewishness. The name "Esther" probably derives from the name of the Babylonian goddess Ishtar or from
1632-417: Is making on the following day as well. Seeing that he is in favor with the king and queen, Haman takes counsel from his wife and friends to build a gallows upon which to hang Mordecai; as he is in their good favors, he believes he will be granted his wish to hang Mordecai the very next day. After building the gallows, Haman goes to the palace in the middle of the night to wait for the earliest moment he can see
1728-844: Is mentioned 47 times in the Bible . Some examples in the Hebrew Bible of the casting of lots as a means of determining God 's will: Other places in the Hebrew Bible relevant to divination include: A notable example in the New Testament occurs in the Acts of the Apostles 1:23–26 where the eleven remaining apostles cast lots to determine whether to select Matthias , or Barsabbas (surnamed Justus) to replace Judas . The Eastern Orthodox Church still occasionally uses this method of selection. In 1917, Metropolitan Tikhon became Patriarch of Moscow by
1824-533: Is one form of drawing lots. I Ching divination , which dates from early China, has played a major role in Chinese culture and philosophy for more than two thousand years. The I Ching tradition descended in part from the oracle bone divination system that was used by rulers in the Shang dynasty , and grew over time into a rich literary wisdom tradition that was closely tied to the philosophy of yin and yang . I Ching practice
1920-673: Is performed by "pounding ikin"—transferring consecrated oil palm kernels from one hand to another to create a pattern of eight to sixteen marks called "Odù" onto a tray of iyerosun , or consecrated termite dust from the Irosun tree. The casting itself is called Dafá in Yoruba language speaking areas in West Africa. Similar to I Ching , this form of divination forms a binary-like series of eight broken or unbroken pairs. This allows for 256 combinations, each of which references sets of tonal poems that contain
2016-567: Is read out loud during the public chanting of the Megillah in the synagogue, which occurs 54 times, the congregation engages in noise-making to blot out his name. The practice can be traced back to the Tosafists (the leading French and German rabbis of the 13th century). In accordance with a passage in the Midrash , where the verse "Thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek " is explained to mean "even from wood and stones." A custom developed of writing
SECTION 20
#17328550370522112-489: Is recited at night, but after the morning Megillah reading only this is recited: The rose of Jacob was cheerful and glad, when they jointly saw Mordechai robed in royal blue. You have been their eternal salvation, and their hope throughout generations. At night and in the morning: Women have an obligation to hear the Megillah because "they also were involved in that miracle." Orthodox communities, including most Modern Orthodox ones, however, generally do not allow women to lead
2208-609: Is that it alludes to the hidden aspect of the miracle of Purim, which was "disguised" by natural events but was really the work of the Almighty. Since charity is a central feature of the day, when givers and/or recipients disguise themselves this also allows greater anonymity thus preserving the dignity of the recipient. Cleromancy In ancient Rome fortunes were told through the casting of lots or sortes . Casting of lots ( Hebrew : גּוֹרָל , romanized : gōral , Greek : κλῆρος , romanized : klē̂ros )
2304-540: Is the eponymous heroine of the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible . According to the biblical narrative, which is set in the Achaemenid Empire , the Persian king Ahasuerus falls in love with Esther and marries her. His grand vizier Haman is offended by Esther's cousin and guardian Mordecai because of his refusal to bow before him ; bowing in front of another person was a prominent gesture of respect in Persian society, but deemed unacceptable by Mordecai, who believes that
2400-415: Is traditionally used during the reading of the book of Lamentations . These verses are particularly sad, or they refer to Jews being in exile. When the Megillah reader jumps to the melody of the book of Lamentations for these phrases, it heightens the feeling of sadness in the listener. In some places, the Megillah is not chanted, but is read like a letter, because of the name iggeret ("epistle"), which
2496-400: Is welcomed by the king, who stretches out his scepter for her to touch, and offers her anything she wants "up to half of the kingdom". Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet she has prepared for the next day. She tells the king she will reveal her request at the banquet. During the banquet, the king repeats his offer again, whereupon Esther invites both the king and Haman to a banquet she
2592-455: Is widespread throughout East Asia, and commonly involves the use of coins or (traditionally) sticks of yarrow . In South India , the custom of ritualistically tossing sea shells (sozhi) and interpreting the results based on the positions of the shells is prevalent, predominantly in the state of Kerala . In Yoruba and Yoruba-inspired religions, babalawos use variations on a common type of cleromancy called Ifá divination . Ifá divination
2688-506: The Scroll of Esther , "they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor". Purim is celebrated among Jews by: Other customs include wearing masks and costumes, public celebrations and parades ( Adloyada ), eating hamantashen ( transl. "Haman's ears" ), and drinking wine . According to the Hebrew calendar , Purim
2784-605: The Tomb of Esther and Mordechai is located in Hamadan , Iran, although the village of Kafr Bir'im in northern Israel also claims to be the burial place of Queen Esther. Throughout history, many artists have created paintings depicting Esther . Notable early portrayals include the Heilspiegel Altarpiece by Konrad Witz and Esther Before Ahasuerus by Tintoretto (1546–47, Royal Collection ) which show Esther appearing before
2880-516: The late medieval authorities , although in general the classical sources are unanimous in rejecting intoxicated excess; only beginning with the Hasidic masters was drunkenness occasionally endorsed. Maimonides writes that one must "drink wine until drunk, and pass out from drink"; according to one view, he is interpreting the Talmud this way (a sleeping person cannot distinguish), but according to another, he
2976-474: The royal vizier to the Persian king Ahasuerus ( Xerxes I or Artaxerxes I ; Khshayarsha and Artakhsher in Old Persian , respectively). His plans were foiled by Mordecai of the tribe of Benjamin , and Esther , Mordecai's cousin and adopted daughter who had become queen of Persia after her marriage to Ahasuerus. The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and rejoicing among Jews. According to
Purim - Misplaced Pages Continue
3072-581: The 127 provinces of his kingdom, concluding with a seven-day drinking feast for the inhabitants of Shushan ( Susa ), rich and poor, and a separate drinking feast for the women organized by Queen Vashti in the pavilion of the royal courtyard. At this feast, Ahasuerus becomes thoroughly drunk, and prompted by his courtiers, orders his wife Vashti to 'display her beauty' before the nobles and populace, while wearing her royal crown. Vashti's refusal embarrasses him in front of his guests and prompts him to demote her from her position as queen. Ahasuerus then orders all of
3168-595: The 13th of Adar, is an original part of the Purim celebration, referred to in Esther 9 :31–32. The first who mentions the Fast of Esther is Aḥai of Shabḥa (8th century CE) in She'iltot 4; the reason there given for its institution is based on an interpretation of Esther 9:18 , Esther 9:31 and Talmud Megillah 2a: "The 13th was the time of gathering", which gathering is explained to have had also
3264-456: The 15th of the month of Adar on what is known as Shushan Purim , since fighting in the walled city of Shushan continued through the 14th day of Adar . Today, only in Jerusalem Purim is observed on the 15th, and in several other biblical settlements (such as Hebron and Shilo ) it is celebrated on both dates because of doubts regarding their status as cities surrounded by a wall since
3360-485: The Babylonian gods Marduk and Ishtar , while others trace the ritual to the Persian New Year, and scholars have surveyed other theories in their works. Some scholars have defended the story as real history, but the attempt to find a historical kernel to the narrative is considered "likely to be futile" in a study by Sara Raup Johnson. The Book of Esther begins by portraying Esther as beautiful and obedient, though
3456-553: The Book of Esther (the "Megillah") in the synagogue, a regulation which is ascribed in the Talmud (Megillah 2a) to the Sages of the Great Assembly , of which Mordecai is reported to have been a member. Originally this regulation was only supposed to be observed on the 14th of Adar; later, however, Rabbi Joshua ben Levi (3rd century CE) prescribed that the Megillah should also be read on the eve of Purim. Further, he obliged women to attend
3552-501: The Greek word for "lot" ( kleros ) serves as the etymological root for English words like "cleric" and "clergy" as well as for "cleromancy".) Tacitus , in Chapter X of his Germania (circa 98 AD), describes casting lots as a practice used by the Germanic tribes. He states: "To divination and casting of lots, they pay attention beyond any other people. Their method of casting lots is
3648-479: The Hebrew Bible's version of Esther's story contains neither prayers nor even a single reference to God, Greek redactors apparently felt compelled to give the tale a more explicit religious orientation, alluding to "God" or the "Lord" fifty times." These additions to Esther in the Apocrypha were added approximately in the second or first century BCE. The story of Esther is also referenced in chapter 28 of 1 Meqabyan ,
3744-482: The Hebrew alphabet, starting with "Who balked ( ... אשר הניא ) the counsel of the nations and annulled the counsel of the cunning. When a wicked man stood up against us ( ... בקום עלינו ), a wantonly evil branch of Amalek's offspring ..." and ending with "The rose of Jacob ( ששנת יעקב ) was cheerful and glad, when they jointly saw Mordechai robed in royal blue. You have been their eternal salvation ( תשועתם הייתה לנצח ), and their hope throughout generations." The second
3840-464: The Jewish nation from eradication. The Book of Esther's story provides the traditional explanation for Purim , a celebratory Jewish holiday that is observed on the Hebrew date on which Haman's order was to go into effect, which is the day that the Jews killed their enemies after Esther exposed Haman's intentions to her husband. Since the 1890s, most scholars have “agreed in seeing [The Book of] Esther as
3936-476: The Jewish peoples' enemies are killed. On the 14th, another 300 are killed in Shushan. No spoils are taken. Mordecai assumes the position of second in rank to Ahasuerus, and institutes an annual commemoration of the delivery of the Jewish people from annihilation. The primary source relating to the origin of Purim is the Book of Esther , which became the last of the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible to be canonized by
Purim - Misplaced Pages Continue
4032-528: The King is referring to Haman himself, Haman says that the honoree should be dressed in the King's royal robes and led around on the King's royal horse. To Haman's horror, the king instructs Haman to render such honors to Mordecai. Later that evening, Ahasuerus and Haman attend Esther's second banquet, at which she reveals that she is Jewish and that Haman is planning to exterminate her people, which includes her. Ahasuerus becomes enraged and instead orders Haman hanged on
4128-402: The King on behalf of the embattled Jews; she replies that nobody is allowed to approach the King, under penalty of death. Esther says she will fast and pray for three days and asks Mordechai to request that all Jews of Persia fast and pray for three days together with her. She will then approach the King to seek his help, despite the law against doing so, and declares, 'If I perish, I perish.' On
4224-430: The Megillah reading. Rabbinic authorities who hold that women should not read the Megillah for themselves, because of an uncertainty as to which blessing they should recite upon the reading, nonetheless agree that they have an obligation to hear it read. According to these authorities if women, or men for that matter, cannot attend the services in the synagogue, the Megillah should be read for them in private by any male over
4320-561: The Miracles") is inserted into the Amidah prayers during evening, morning and afternoon prayer services, and is also included in the Birkat Hamazon ("Grace after Meals"). The four main mitzvot (obligations) of the day are: The three latter obligations apply only during the daytime hours of Purim. The first religious ceremony which is ordained for the celebration of Purim is the reading of
4416-407: The Persian persecution of Jews and mentions Jews being forced to worship at Persian-erected shrines. The Josippon , a 10th-century CE compilation of Jewish history, includes an account of the origins of Purim in its chapter 4. It too follows the original biblical account and includes additional traditions matching those found in the Greek version and Josephus (whom the author claims as a source) with
4512-453: The Persian word cognate with the English word "star" (implying an association with Ishtar) though some scholars contend it is related to the Persian words for "woman" or "myrtle". In the third year of the reign of King Ahasuerus of Persia the king banishes his queen, Vashti , and seeks a new queen. Beautiful maidens gather together at the harem in the citadel of Susa under the authority of
4608-619: The Pietist tradition may have come with Count von Zinzendorf and the Moravian Brethren of Herrnhut , who drew lots for many purposes, including selection of church sites, approval of missionaries, the election of bishops, and many others. This practice was greatly curtailed after the General Synod of the worldwide Moravian Unity in 1818 and finally discontinued in the 1880s. Many Amish customarily select ordinary preachers by lot. (Note that
4704-747: The Sages of the Great Assembly . It is dated to the 4th century BCE and according to the Talmud was a redaction by the Great Assembly of an original text by Mordechai. The Tractate Megillah in the Mishnah (redacted c. 200 CE) records the laws relating to Purim. The accompanying Tosefta (redacted in the same period) and Gemara (in the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmud redacted c. 400 CE and c. 600 CE respectively) record additional contextual details such as Queen Vashti having been
4800-531: The age of thirteen. Often in Orthodox communities there is a special public reading only for women, conducted either in a private home or in a synagogue, but the Megillah is read by a man. Some Modern Orthodox leaders have held that women can serve as public Megillah readers. Women's megillah readings have become increasingly common in more liberal Modern Orthodox Judaism , though women may only read for other women, according to Ashkenazi authorities. When Haman's name
4896-410: The amount of food that is eaten at a regular meal. It is better to spend more on charity than on the giving of mishloach manot . In the synagogue, regular collections of charity are made on the festival and the money is distributed among the needy. No distinction is made among the poor; anyone who is willing to accept charity is allowed to participate. It is obligatory for the poorest Jew, even one who
SECTION 50
#17328550370524992-523: The beautiful women throughout the empire to be presented to him, so that he can choose a new queen to replace Vashti. One of these is Esther , who was orphaned at a young age and is being fostered by her first cousin Mordecai and member of the Sanhedrin . She finds favor in the King's eyes, and is made his new wife. Esther does not reveal her origins or that she is Jewish , as Mordecai told her not to. Based on
5088-405: The choice of words used in the text some rabbinic commentators state that she was actually Mordecai's wife. Shortly afterwards, Mordecai discovers a plot by two palace guards Bigthan and Teresh to kill Ahasuerus. They are apprehended and hanged , and Mordecai's service to the King is recorded in the daily record of the court. Ahasuerus appoints Haman as his viceroy . Mordecai, who sits at
5184-520: The court is contrasted to Vashti's refusal to expose herself to the public assembly. Esther was regarded in Catholic theology as a typological forerunner of the Virgin Mary in her role as intercessor Her regal election parallels Mary's Assumption and as she becomes queen of Persia, Mary becomes queen of heaven; Mary's epithet as 'stella maris' parallels Esther as a 'star' and both figure as sponsors of
5280-408: The court's daily records are read to him to help him fall asleep, he learns of the services rendered by Mordecai in the earlier plot against his life. Ahasuerus asks whether anything was done for Mordecai and is told that he received no recognition for saving the King's life. Just then, Haman appears, and King Ahasuerus asks him what should be done for the man that the King wishes to honor. Thinking that
5376-440: The date of the thirteenth of Adar to commence his campaign against the Jews, this determined the date of the festival of Purim. Although the details of the setting are entirely plausible and the story may even have some basis in actual events, there is general agreement among scholars that the book of Esther is a work of fiction. Persian kings did not marry outside of seven Persian noble families, making it unlikely that there
5472-581: The daughter of Belshazzar as well as details that accord with Josephus ' such as Esther having been of royal descent. Brief mention of Esther is made in Tractate Hullin ( Bavli Hullin 139b) and idolatry relating to worship of Haman is discussed in Tractate Sanhedrin ( Sanhedrin 61b). The work Esther Rabbah is a Midrashic text divided in two parts. The first part dated to c. 500 CE provides an exegetical commentary on
5568-402: The days of Joshua. Purim is the plural of the Hebrew word pur (loan from Akkadian puru ) meaning " lot ". Its use as the name of this festival comes from Esther 3:6–7, describing the choice of date: 6: [...] having been told who Mordecai's people were, Haman plotted to do away with all the Jews, Mordecai's people, throughout the kingdom of Ahasuerus. 7: In the first month, that is,
5664-555: The drawing of lots. The Coptic Orthodox Church uses drawing lots to choose the Coptic pope , most recently done in November 2012 to choose Pope Tawadros II . German Pietist Christians in the 18th century often followed the New Testament precedent of drawing lots to determine the will of God. They often did so by selecting a random Bible passage. The most extensive use of drawing of lots in
5760-477: The eunuch Hegai . Esther, a cousin of Mordecai , was a member of the Jewish community in the Exilic Period who claimed as an ancestor Kish , a Benjamite who had been taken from Jerusalem into captivity. She was the orphaned daughter of Mordecai's uncle, another Benjamite named Abihail. Upon the king's orders, Esther is taken to the palace where Hegai prepares her to meet the king. Even as she advances to
5856-605: The exception of the details of the letters found in the latter works. It also provides other contextual information relating to Jewish and Persian history such as the identification of Darius the Mede as the uncle and father-in-law of Cyrus. A brief Persian account of events is provided by Islamic historian Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari in his History of the Prophets and Kings (completed 915 CE). Basing his account on Jewish and Christian sources, al-Tabari provides additional details such as
SECTION 60
#17328550370525952-654: The first two chapters of the Hebrew Book of Esther and provided source material for the Targum Sheni . The second part may have been redacted as late as the 11th century CE, and contains commentary on the remaining chapters of Esther. It, too, contains the additional contextual material found in the Josippon (a chronicle of Jewish history from Adam to the age of Titus believed to have been written by Josippon or Joseph ben Gorion). The 1st-century CE historian Josephus recounts
6048-547: The following Purim festival. It is common to greet one another on Purim in Hebrew with Chag Purim Sameach ( חג פורים שמח , in Yiddish with ah freilichin Purim ( א פרייליכן פורים ) or in Ladino with Purim Allegre . The Hebrew greeting loosely translates to 'Happy Purim Holiday' and the Yiddish and Ladino translate to 'Happy Purim'. The custom of masquerading in costumes and
6144-454: The fourteenth day of Adar. The fourteenth day of Adar is celebrated with the giving of charity, exchanging foodstuffs, and feasting. In Susa , the Jews of the capital were given another day to kill their oppressors; they rested and celebrated on the fifteenth day of Adar, again giving charity, exchanging foodstuffs, and feasting as well. The Jews established an annual feast, the feast of Purim , in memory of their deliverance. Haman having set
6240-405: The gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordecai. The previous decree against the Jewish people could not be nullified, so the King allows Mordecai and Esther to write another decree as they wish. They decree that Jewish people may preemptively kill those thought to pose a lethal risk. As a result, on 13 Adar, 500 attackers and 10 of Haman's sons are killed in Shushan. Throughout the empire 75,000 of
6336-418: The garden to calm down and consider the situation. While Ahasuerus is in the garden, Haman throws himself at Esther's feet asking for mercy. Upon returning from the garden, the king is further enraged. As it was the custom to eat on reclining couches, it appears to the king as if Haman is attacking Esther. He orders Haman to be removed from his sight. While Haman is being led out, Harvona, a civil servant, tells
6432-426: The highest position of the harem, perfumed with gold and myrrh and allocated certain foods and servants, she is under strict instructions from Mordecai, who meets with her each day, to conceal her Jewish origins. The king falls in love with her and makes her his Queen. Following Esther's coronation, Mordecai learns of an assassination plot by Bigthan and Teresh to kill King Ahasuerus. Mordecai tells Esther, who tells
6528-607: The humble before the powerful. Contemporary viewers would likely have recognized a similarity between the faint and the common motif of the Swoon of the Virgin , seen in many depictions of the Crucifixion of Jesus . Esther's fainting became a popular subject in the Baroque painting of the following century. A notable Baroque example is Esther Before Ahasuerus by Artemisia Gentileschi . Esther
6624-410: The king cannot be repealed. Ahasuerus allows Esther and Mordecai to write another order, with the seal of the king and in the name of the king, to allow the Jewish people to defend themselves and fight with their oppressors on the thirteenth day of Adar. On the thirteenth day of Adar, the same day that Haman had set for them to be killed, the Jews defend themselves in all parts of the kingdom and rest on
6720-570: The king in the name of Mordecai, and he is saved. This act of great service to the king is recorded in the Annals of the Kingdom. After Mordecai saves the king's life, Haman the Agagite is made Ahasuerus' highest adviser, and orders that everyone bow down to him. When Mordecai (who had stationed himself in the street to advise Esther) refuses to bow to him, Haman pays King Ahasuerus 10,000 silver talents for
6816-443: The king that Haman had built a gallows for Mordecai, "who had saved the king's life". In response, the king says "Hang him (Haman) on it". After Haman is put to death, Ahasuerus gives Haman's estate to Esther. Esther tells the king about Mordecai being her relative, and the king makes Mordecai his adviser. When Esther asks the king to revoke the order exterminating the Jews, the king is initially hesitant, saying that an order issued by
6912-420: The king that she is Jewish and ask that he repeal the order. Esther hesitates, saying that she could be put to death if she goes to the king without being summoned; nevertheless, Mordecai urges her to try. Esther asks that the entire Jewish community fast and pray for three days before she goes to see the king; Mordecai agrees. On the third day, Esther goes to the courtyard in front of the king's palace, and she
7008-555: The king to beg mercy for the Jews, despite the punishment for appearing without being summoned being death. This scene became one of the most commonly depicted parts of the story. Esther's faint had not often been depicted in art before Tintoretto. It is shown in the series of cassone scenes of the Life of Esther attributed variously to Sandro Botticelli and Filippino Lippi from the 1470s. In other cassone depictions, for example by Filippino Lippi, Esther's readiness to show herself before
7104-406: The king. That evening, the king, unable to sleep, asks that the Annals of the Kingdom be read to him so that he will become drowsy. The book miraculously opens to the page telling of Mordecai's great service, and the king asks if he had already received a reward. When his attendants answer in the negative, Ahasuerus is suddenly distracted and demands to know who is standing in the palace courtyard in
7200-531: The middle of the night. The attendants answer that it is Haman. Ahasuerus invites Haman into his room. Haman, instead of requesting that Mordecai be hanged, is ordered to take Mordecai through the streets of the capital on the Royal Horse wearing the royal robes. Haman is also instructed to yell, "This is what shall be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor!" After spending the entire day honoring Mordecai, Haman rushes to Esther's second banquet, where Ahasuerus
7296-453: The miracle ( Tosafot ). The Talmud prescribed three benedictions before the reading and one benediction after the reading. The Talmud added other provisions. For example, the reader is to pronounce the names of the ten sons of Haman in one breath, to indicate their simultaneous death. An additional custom that probably began in Medieval times is that the congregation recites aloud with the reader
7392-466: The month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, pur—which means "the lot"—was cast before Haman concerning every day and every month, [until it fell on] the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar. The Scroll of Esther takes place over 9 years and begins with a six-month drinking feast given by King Ahasuerus of the Persian Empire for the army and Media and the satraps and princes of
7488-415: The name of Haman, the offspring of Amalek, on two smooth stones, and knocking them together until the name was blotted out. Some wrote the name of Haman on the soles of their shoes, and at the mention of the name stamped with their feet as a sign of contempt. Another method was to use a noisy ratchet , called a ra'ashan (from the Hebrew ra-ash , meaning "noise") and in Yiddish a grager . Some of
7584-635: The original Persian form "Asturya" for "Esther". He places events during the rule of Ardashir Bahman ( Artaxerxes II ), but confuses him with Ardashir al-Tawil al-Ba ( Artaxerxes I ), while assuming Ahasuerus to be the name of a co-ruler. Another brief Persian account is recorded by Masudi in The Meadows of Gold (completed 947 CE). He refers to a Jewish woman who had married the Persian King Bahman (Artaxerxes II), and delivered her people, thus corroborating this identification of Ahasuerus. He also mentions
7680-519: The origins of Purim in Book 11 of his Antiquities of the Jews . He follows the Hebrew Book of Esther but shows awareness of some of the additional material found in the Greek version (the Septuagint ) in that he too identifies Ahasuerus as Artaxerxes and provides the text of the king's letter. He also provides additional information on the dating of events relative to Ezra and Nehemiah. Josephus also records
7776-492: The other observances of the day as well as to the reading of the Megillah: After the Megillah reading, each member of the congregation who has heard the reading recites the following blessing. This blessing is not recited unless a minyan was present for the Megillah reading: After the nighttime Megillah reading the following two paragraphs are recited: The first one is an acrostic poem that starts with each letter of
7872-402: The palace gates, falls into Haman's disfavor as he refuses to bow down to him. Having found out that Mordecai is Jewish, Haman plans to kill not just Mordecai but the entire Jewish minority in the empire . Obtaining Ahasuerus' permission and funds to execute this plan, he casts lots ( "purim" ) to choose the date on which to do this—the 14th of the month of Adar. When Mordecai finds out about
7968-426: The plans, he puts on sackcloth and ashes, a sign of mourning, publicly weeping and lamenting, and many other Jews in Shushan and other parts of Ahasuerus' empire do likewise, with widespread penitence and fasting . Esther discovers what has transpired; there follows an exchange of messages between her and Mordecai, with Hatach, one of the palace servants, as the intermediary. Mordecai requests that she intercede with
8064-419: The poor". According to halakha , each adult must give at least two different foods to one person, and at least two charitable donations to two poor people. The food parcels are called mishloach manot ("sending of portions"), and in some circles the custom has evolved into a major gift-giving event. To fulfill the mitzvah of giving charity to two poor people, one can give either food or money equivalent to
8160-419: The progenitor of Haman, is also to be read. Before the reading of the Megillah on Purim, both at night and again in the morning, the reader of the Megillah recites the following three blessings and at the end of each blessing the congregation then responds by answering "Amen" after each of the blessings. At the morning reading of the Megillah the congregation should have in mind that the third blessing applies to
8256-492: The purpose of public prayer and fasting. Some, however, used to fast three days in commemoration of the fasting of Esther; but as fasting was prohibited during the month of Nisan, the first and second Mondays and the Thursday following Purim were chosen. The fast of the 13th is still commonly observed; but when that date falls on Shabbat , the fast is pushed back to the preceding Thursday, Friday being needed to prepare for Sabbath and
8352-417: The rabbis protested against these uproarious excesses, considering them a disturbance of public worship, but the custom of using a ratchet in the synagogue on Purim is now almost universal, with the exception of Spanish and Portuguese Jews and other Sephardic Jews, who consider them an improper interruption of the reading. The Book of Esther prescribes "the sending of portions one man to another, and gifts to
8448-417: The reading of the Megillah, because women were also part of the miracle. The commentaries offer two reasons as to why women played a major role in the miracle. The first reason is that it was through a lady, Queen Esther , that the miraculous deliverance of the Jews was accomplished ( Rashbam ). The second reason is that women were also threatened by the genocidal decree and were therefore equal beneficiaries of
8544-540: The right to exterminate all of the Jews in Ahasuerus' kingdom. Haman casts lots, Purim , using supernatural means, and sees that the thirteenth day of the Month of Adar is a fortunate day for the genocide. Using the seal of the king, in the name of the king, Haman sends an order to the provinces of the kingdom to allow the extermination of the Jews on the thirteenth of Adar. When Mordecai learns of this, he tells Esther to reveal to
8640-449: The signs previously marked upon them." In the ninth century Anskar , a Frankish missionary and later bishop of Hamburg-Bremen , observed the same practice several times in the decision-making process of the Danish peoples. In this version, the chips were believed to determine the support or otherwise of gods, whether Christian or Norse, for a course of action or act. For example, in one case
8736-469: The third day, she seeks an audience with Ahasuerus, during which she invites him to a feast in the company of Haman. During the feast, she asks them to attend a further feast the next evening. Meanwhile, Haman is again offended by Mordecai's refusal to bow to him; egged on by his wife Zeresh and unidentified friends, he builds a gallows for Mordecai, with the intention to hang him there the very next day. That night, Ahasuerus suffers from insomnia , and when
8832-455: The verses Esther 2:5, Esther 8:15–16, and Esther 10:3, which relate the origin of Mordecai and his triumph. The Megillah is read with a cantillation (a traditional chant) which is different from that which is used in the customary reading of the Torah. Besides the traditional cantillation, there are several verses or short phrases in the Megillah that are chanted in a different chant, the chant that
8928-536: The wearing of masks probably originated among the Italian Jews at the end of the 15th century. The concept was possibly influenced by the Roman carnival and spread across Europe. The practice was only introduced into Middle Eastern countries during the 19th century. The first Jewish codifier to mention the custom was Judah Minz . Iranian Jews use traditional Persian costumes and masks. The primary reason for masquerading
9024-467: The woman's daughter, Khumay, who is not known in Jewish tradition but is well remembered in Persian folklore. Al-Tabari calls her Khumani and tells how her father (Ardashir Bahman) married her. Ferdowsi in his Shahnameh ( c. 1000 CE) also tells of King Bahman marrying Khumay. Modern Biblical scholarship generally identifies Ahasuerus with Xerxes I of Persia . Since the 1890s, several academics have suggested that Purim has its origin in
9120-456: Was Amestris , further highlighting the fictitious nature of the story. Some scholars speculate that the story was created to justify the Jewish appropriation of an originally non-Jewish feast. The festival which the book explains is Purim , which is explained as meaning "lot", from the Babylonian word puru . One popular theory says the festival has its origins in a historicized Babylonian myth or ritual in which Mordecai and Esther represent
9216-475: Was a Jewish queen Esther. Further, the name Ahasuerus can be translated to Xerxes , as both derive from the Persian Khshayārsha. Ahasuerus as described in the Book of Esther is usually identified in modern sources to refer to Xerxes I , who ruled between 486 and 465 BCE, as it is to this monarch that the events described in Esther are thought to fit the most closely. However, Xerxes I's queen
#51948