Jewish Heritage
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Rabbi Dovid Saks
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DIRECTOR
529 Wyoming Ave.
Scranton, PA 18509
(570) 346-1321
Scranton, PA 18509
(570) 346-1321
108 N. Abington Rd.
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
Achashverosh
The events of Purim took place while the world was ruled by King Achashverosh of the Persian Empire. King Achashverosh executed his wife, Queen Vashti, because of her publicized refusal to adhere to his request. When the king awoke from a drunken stupor, he realized that he was now queenless. A search began to find a suitable wife for the king.
The events of Purim took place while the world was ruled by King Achashverosh of the Persian Empire. King Achashverosh executed his wife, Queen Vashti, because of her publicized refusal to adhere to his request. When the king awoke from a drunken stupor, he realized that he was now queenless. A search began to find a suitable wife for the king.
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Queen Esther
Esther, a Jewish girl, was chosen as most befitting to serve as Queen, She had been orphaned and raised by her cousin Mordechai. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, the great assembly of Rabbis. Mordechai also held a respectable position in the king's Parliament. Mordechai asked Esther not to reveal her Jewish identity. The suspense was great, the king tried many ploys to force her to reveal her identity, but she faithfully kept it concealed.
Haman the Wicked
The king's most powerful officer was Haman. Haman, who was arrogant, demanded that everyone bow down to him. However Mordechai the Jew, refused to acknowledge Haman. This infuriated Haman. He decided to take revenge, not only on Mordechai, but on all of the Jewish nation. The date for this act was decided by the casting of lots. The dreadful day picked was the 13th day of Adar. Haman manipulated the king to give his approval of the genocide. The official documents were sent out to all of the 127 provinces that the 13th of Adar be set aside for the annihilation of the Jewish nation.
Esther's Plan
Mordechai sent a message to Esther informing her about Haman's decree. He asked if she would intercede on behalf of her people, Even though the king had not called for her, Esther decided to approach him uninvited, an act which could mean immediate execution. Esther told Mordechai to have all the Jews (including herself) fast and pray for 3 days on her behalf. Then, Esther went before the king, who miraculously welcomed her and asked her what it was that she wanted. Esther's request was that the king and Haman attend a party that she had prepared. Only then would she tell the King of her request. At the party, Esther's only request was that the king and Haman attend yet another party the following day. Esther's intent was to provoke the king's jealousy of Haman.
Esther, a Jewish girl, was chosen as most befitting to serve as Queen, She had been orphaned and raised by her cousin Mordechai. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, the great assembly of Rabbis. Mordechai also held a respectable position in the king's Parliament. Mordechai asked Esther not to reveal her Jewish identity. The suspense was great, the king tried many ploys to force her to reveal her identity, but she faithfully kept it concealed.
Haman the Wicked
The king's most powerful officer was Haman. Haman, who was arrogant, demanded that everyone bow down to him. However Mordechai the Jew, refused to acknowledge Haman. This infuriated Haman. He decided to take revenge, not only on Mordechai, but on all of the Jewish nation. The date for this act was decided by the casting of lots. The dreadful day picked was the 13th day of Adar. Haman manipulated the king to give his approval of the genocide. The official documents were sent out to all of the 127 provinces that the 13th of Adar be set aside for the annihilation of the Jewish nation.
Esther's Plan
Mordechai sent a message to Esther informing her about Haman's decree. He asked if she would intercede on behalf of her people, Even though the king had not called for her, Esther decided to approach him uninvited, an act which could mean immediate execution. Esther told Mordechai to have all the Jews (including herself) fast and pray for 3 days on her behalf. Then, Esther went before the king, who miraculously welcomed her and asked her what it was that she wanted. Esther's request was that the king and Haman attend a party that she had prepared. Only then would she tell the King of her request. At the party, Esther's only request was that the king and Haman attend yet another party the following day. Esther's intent was to provoke the king's jealousy of Haman.
The Sleepless Night
That night the king couldn't sleep. He dreamed of a coup d'etat with Haman as the leader. He asked for his book of deeds to be read to him. Perhaps he had overlooked rewarding a loyal citizen for some great deed. His reader opened to the section which related that Mordechai had previously saved the king's life. He had reported on two foreigners, Bigsan and Seresh, who had plotted to poison the king. Mordechai had never been rewarded. Achashverosh wondered what honor would be befitting for someone who had saved the king.
Wrong Place at the Wrong Time
At that moment Haman entered the courtyard. He intended to tell the king of a plan he had to hang Mordechai, The king asked Haman how best to honor a person deserving of the king's honor. Haman said to himself, "Who would the king want to honor more than me?" Therefore he said, "Have the person clothed with the king's robes and crown and have him ride on a horse once used by the king, led by a nobleman calling out, "This is what is done to the man whom the king wishes to honor." The king then ordered Haman to do all that he described for Mordechai the Jew.
That night the king couldn't sleep. He dreamed of a coup d'etat with Haman as the leader. He asked for his book of deeds to be read to him. Perhaps he had overlooked rewarding a loyal citizen for some great deed. His reader opened to the section which related that Mordechai had previously saved the king's life. He had reported on two foreigners, Bigsan and Seresh, who had plotted to poison the king. Mordechai had never been rewarded. Achashverosh wondered what honor would be befitting for someone who had saved the king.
Wrong Place at the Wrong Time
At that moment Haman entered the courtyard. He intended to tell the king of a plan he had to hang Mordechai, The king asked Haman how best to honor a person deserving of the king's honor. Haman said to himself, "Who would the king want to honor more than me?" Therefore he said, "Have the person clothed with the king's robes and crown and have him ride on a horse once used by the king, led by a nobleman calling out, "This is what is done to the man whom the king wishes to honor." The king then ordered Haman to do all that he described for Mordechai the Jew.
Haman's Defeat
Haman did exactly what he was commanded to do. He returned home totally humiliated. He was then called to the party that Esther had prepared for him and the king. At the party the king pressed Esther to reveal her request. Esther then took the opportunity to reveal her Jewish identity and pleaded on behalf of her people who were faced with the threat of annihilation. The king was furious. He asked her who was behind such a plan. She replied. "Haman the wicked". The king ordered Haman to be hanged on the same gallows that Haman had originally prepared for Mordechai.
Mordechai's Rise to Power
The king gave all the power and prestige of Haman to Mordechai. Mordechai and Esther pleaded with the king to annul the original decree that called for the annihilation of the Jewish people. The king did not annul the first decree, but issued a counter edict giving the Jews the right to defend themselves. On the 14th and 15th of Adar the Jewish people successfully defended themselves and won a great victory over their opponents. Darius, the son of Esther and Achashverosh, later became king and granted the Jews permission to rebuild the holy Temple of Jerusalem.