Purim - A History

Purim - A History
Alright, I know that it's erev Pesach and although Purim 5768 is now a thing of the past, the hangover still lingers. To be quite honest, I love Purim. The holiday where it is a positive commandment to be overjoyed - to eat, to give out food and presents and ahhh...to drink lots of wine. (I'm a merlot man myself). Its a "party hearty" holiday where making fun and having fun is a huge mitzvah. What could possibly be solemn about this day? Additionally, it is exactly one month away from Passover - the holiday of Freedom. It marks a plateau on the Jewish calendar which only leads us to one of the highpoints of the year. So, we just celebrated Purim. Israelis from all walks of life mark the holiday with parties, dressing in costumes, fun and frivolty. Cities host parades through the streets with huge floats, marching bands and concerts. In every major city, theres lots of things going on. Purim can be such a huge party, and so much so that it is likened to "Mardi Gras" in New Orleans or "Carnivale" in Brazil. Yet behind the masks, huge concerts, wine and fun, lies a time of great tension, fear, horror and great sacrifice. Most of us know the history. The Jews of ancient Persia were in grave danger of being annihilated by Haman and his followers since Mordechai, a former member of Jerusalem's Sanhedrin refused to bow down to him as he entered the palace of King Achashverosh (King Xerxes). Additionally, Haman was a descendent of Amalek, who was and has been a sworn enemy to the Jewish people. Amalek, at all costs, even if it were to cost his own life, is dedicated to the destruction of the entire Jewish people. Amalek comes in all shapes and sizes, in ancient times Amalek was Haman; in more contemporary times, he was an Austrian by the name of Adolf Hitler and today, many believe that he is back in Persia, what is now known as Iran and like Haman, he is the country's President. Though we read Megilat Esther in one sitting that can last about forty five minutes to an hour, people don't realize that from begining to end, the great miracle of Purim lasted roughly nine years. Jews were living in their first diaspora after the First Temple was destroyed and the country was defeated by King Nebuchanezzar. Decades after they were exiled, Queen Vashti, the granddaughter of King Nebuchadnezzar was married to Achashveirosh who was more of an emporer than a king. His kingdom stretched from what was then India all the way west and southwest to Cush (Ethiopia). One hundred and twenty seven provences where under his crown. Like most kings in western Asia during his era, he had many palaces, had huge armies, harems and properties galour. At his own word, people lived or died. His word was never questioned as it was the word of the king and the final word. The king vast wealth was incredible and he did what he could to let everyone know who had most, and who was boss. Picture this: a wine feast that lasted one hundred and eighty days. Not only was this feast an alcoholic's fantasy, everyone in the vicinity of Susa (Shushan, the capital) was ordered to participate. It sounds like a blast doesn't it? However, it was far from it. It was a huge travesty. The gold and silver goblets used for the party as well as the treasures displayed publicly, where people "oohed and aahhed" were none other than the spoils of war from the First Holy Temple (Beit HaMikdash) in Jerusalem. These objects where to be used in the Holy Temple for holy and pure purposes by the Cohanim and their descendants. Using them as common objects were sacreligious and a huge disgrace. Since many Jews were merely second or third generation Persians, they were very well aware of what treasures were stored in the palace and knew exactly what these goblets were intended to be used for. What was even worse, if they were not having a "good time", it would only enrage the king and they would have to suffer the consequences. Vashti inherited her hatred and intolerance for Jews from her grandfather. Her personal slaves were none other than young Jewish women who not only did she force to work on Shabbat, they were also forced to work and walk about naked. She deliberately humiliated and tormented these women publicly who were raised and bred to be modest and G-d fearing. Vashti knew all about Jews and Judaism and purposely made these women violate halacha. They had no choice but to adhere to her demands, because if they did not, they would be executed. Luckily for these girls, Vashti's term on her throne was limited. Despite her tyrrany, Queen Vashti was indeed a very beautiful woman. The king wanted to show her off to his court and ordered her to dance naked, wearing her crown in front of him and his immediate staff and advisors. The granddaughter of King Nevuchanezzar adamantly refused. She was not only the queen, she was a king's granddaughter. Vashti was executed for disobeying the king. Even the queen must adhere to the king. No questions asked. Now here starts the drama: the royal court announces that the king is looking for a new wife; all young girls from the kingdom were to report to the palace and the king himself will choose a new wife. Enter Mordechai and his first cousin Hadassah, known in Persia as Esther (Ishtar is a Persian name and is in Iran used to this very day - as well as Vashti). Mordechai sends this girl who he raised himself since she was orphaned as a child to the palace, joining probably thousands of other girls for a chance to sit on the Royal Throne. A dutiful child, Esther goes to the palace and along with hundreds, of other young virgin hopefuls, she is sequestered in the king's harem for a year, being pampered and beautified and prepared for the king's choosing. Long story short (actually four years after Queen Vashti was executed), she wins. Esther is prepared for the royal wedding and eventually they marry. Hold on one second. How is this possible? A member of Jerusalem's Sanhedrin is allowing his first cousin who he raised as his own daughter to marry a non-Jewish king? It needs to be reiterated that Esther didn't even question Mordechai. She merely did what she was told. The answer is, many scholars state that both Mordechai and Esther had "Ruach HaKodesh" , meaning they knew via Divine inspiration that tragedy was about to embark upon the Jewish people and they needed to take action fast. As queen, Esther would be privy to information and people of great authority. Great figures would naturally have to answer to her and any amount of solid, positive connections (in Israel we call it 'protectzia') were vital. So, here she was Esther, Queen of Persia, wife to King Achashveirosh - the known drunkard, unpredictable, gluttoneous and highly tempermental king. He was no lover or friend to the Jews either. He wasn't as bad as Vashti and her family were, yet he really couldn't care less one way or the other, just as long as he had his food, wine, harem and got his people to pay him their taxes on time, the king was happy. Despite the fact that her home was in the palace, she was able to communicate with Mordechai. Luckily for her, she only saw the king at his will, meaning when he did not summon for her, she was left alone with her maids who were waiting on her and she was more or less free to do what she liked. Meanwhile, Haman the Agagite, a direct descendant of Amalek, the sworn enemy of the Jewish people, had eventually become the equivalent of the Persian Prime Minister. His office was at the entrance of the palace and with the king's permission, when Persians passed by Haman, they had to kneel and bow down in front of him, as if he was a deity. Mordechai, on his way to the palace and upon approaching, Haman demanded that Mordechai kneel before him. Mordechai being a modest, yet proud monotheist, politely refused stating that he only bows down to G-d. He bids Haman a nice day and continues onto his duties. Enraged, Haman storms home and with his wife Zeresh, plots to exterminate all of the Jews througout the Persian empire. To find the exact date of this event, they drew lots (a lottery and the word "pur" is a word for lottery in Hebrew, hence the holiday "Purim") and decides to plot against the Jews. Offering the king ten thousand silver talents for his approval, Achashveirosh refused the money and gave Haman his approval anyway, signing and sealing the Jews' fate. Being privy to royal intellegence, Esther frantically ran with this news to her cousin Mordechai, who immediately rent his garments, sprinkeled ashes on his forehead and sat beseaching heaven for Divine intervention. On the other hand, Haman was thrilled with his newfound task. The first victim on his list was going to be Mordechai. After all, it was because of Mordechai's obstinence that brought the Jews to thier fate to begin with. Haman then began construction of the gallows, seventy five feet tall which will hang Mordechai by his neck on the coming 14th of Adar. The rest of the Jews of the empire will face the swords of the king's armies and in a period of twenty four hours, all Jews were to be annihilated. The news of the genocidal decree spread like wildfire throughout the empire. Jews, who by now were no strangers to the harshest of fates were frantic. The time was now the eve of Passover and people were preparing to celebrate the holiday of freedom. Yet instead, Esther decreed that ALL Jews throughout the empire fast and pray for three full days. As she needed to meet with the king without being summoned to him. Which, can mean, even for the queen herself, a death sentence, since according to law, the king must summon his subjects and he cannot ever be approached without his permission. So for three full days, all of the Jews wearing sackcloth and ashes, fasted and prayed. The queen did as well, with her maidens and servants as well. After three days, the queen donned on her royal garments and approached the king's chambers. At the threshold she stood there and the king raised his sceptor and graciously invited her in. Not only did he graciously invite her into his chambers, he offers her up to half of his kingdom, if she so desires it and what does she do? She invites him to a wine feast telling him that she wishes to share surprising news with him. The king responds with a huge grin and graciously accepts the offer. Later during the wine feast she prepared for him, she stated that she wanted to invite him yet to ANOTHER wine feast and invite Haman as well, as it will be more in his honor than the king's. The king was delighted and immediately shared this news with Haman, who was only thrilled to join. A feast in his honor hosted by the queen herself, what could be better than this? To make matters interesting, Mordechai and the Jewish communities of Persia were since relieved by Esther's progression and good news. They were at least able to eat again and enjoy what was left of Passover. However during this time frame, the king had a dream and remembered how Mordechai saved his life by informing the king that henchmen had plotted to kill him. As the king went to invite Haman to this feast that Esther wanted to prepare, he asked Haman advice about how one could honor someone who heroically saved the life of a king. Haman, flattered that the king was asking him for advice told the king that the hero should be paraded about the city in glory - as if he were royalty. To Haman's shock, dismay and complete disbelief, the king then ordered Haman to fetch Mordechai, dress him up in royal robes and parade him about in the capital of Shushan. Adding more insult to injury, not only was Haman parading his archenemy around like royalty in front of thousands of people, while passing his own home, Haman's daughter, aiming for Mordechai, dumped raw sewage all over Haman while he leading Mordechai on the stallion. His daughter, in great horror after she realized what happened ended up falling from the rooftop and died from the fall. After this spectacle, Haman, having to do the queen's bidding and changes into his finest and go to a feast, races to the palace and joins the king and queen in the feast. Sprawled on couches and cushions, drinking and laughing it up, the queen enters the room and states that she has some news to share with them. Then, the bomb drops - Esther accuses Haman for wanting to kill her people and her as well. The king is outraged and Haman prostrates himself in front of Esther and begs for mercy. Too late. Haman is a dead man. The king gives over Haman's home and possesions to Mordechai; Haman is hung from the gallows he prepared especially for Mordechai; Haman's ten sons are also hung and even more so, the Jews of Persia are given arms to defend themselves, since it was the king's decree to go after the Jews on 14th Adar. Since the king sealed this decree with his ring, the decree cannot be reversed. So, to remedy this problem, Jews were permitted to defend themselves against those who were loyal to Haman. The Jews were victorious indeed. In the end, Purim was born and decreed that each Jew must hear Megilat Esther twice, give presents to the poor, give two different edible presents to each Jew you see and enjoy a hearty meal. Joy, frivolty, games, masquerades - all fun is encouraged and even required. Now, the victim herself - Esther bat Avichayil, Queen of Persia. What ever became of her? She and Mordechai did compile the history of nine long years into her megillah, knowing that Jews for millenia will be reading and learning from it. Unfortunately, the queen remained with her king. They had a son together, Darvish I, the ONLY Jewish monarch who ruled over a non-Jewish country in history. Darvish I allowed the Jews back to Jerusalem and encouraged the building and the inauguration of the Second Temple. The monarchy of Israel was re-established. As for Mordechai, he died in Persia and both he and his dear cousin, Esther are buried in Shiraz in a shrine dedicated to them. To this very day, even under the evil eyes of the modern-day Haman himself, Achmedinajad, Persian Jews who have called Iran home since the first diaspora, flock to the Tomb of Mordechai and Esther in Shiraz and celebrate Purim there, listening to her story and trying their best to recall Purim as a triumphant and happy holiday.