Told in the Book of Esther (“Megillah”) and celebrated on the holiday of Purim, the Purim story takes place in ancient Persia following the destruction of the first Holy Temple.
Wicked Haman convinces King Ahasuerus to have the Jews killed. Encouraged by her cousin Mordechai, Queen Esther, the king’s unwilling wife, risks her life to intercede on her people’s behalf.
The result is a stunning reversal, which is celebrated each year on Purim.
The Book of Esther (Megillah) in Brief
The story of Purim takes place in Ancient Persia. In the Book of Esther, Haman convinces King Ahasuerus to kill the Jews of his empire. However, his plot is foiled by Queen Esther, a secret Jew, and her wise cousin, Mordecai.
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The Scroll of Esther tells the story of Purim, but many of the details appear only in the oral tradition handed down through the generations by the Sages.
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Purim Trivia
When was Haman hanged? What was Esther's Hebrew name? Why did Esther invite Haman to her feasts? How old was Mordechai at the time of the Purim story?
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The Story of Purim in Rhyme
Esther is asked to intercede with the king. But who knows what that could bring?
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Heroine of the Purim Story
Celebrated on Purim, Esther was a Jewish maiden who was forced to become queen of Persia. She used her influence to save the Jewish people.
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Convinced by his evil prime minister, Haman, to have all the Jews in his empire killed, he changed his mind after being petitioned by his queen, Esther, who was secretly Jewish.
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