Esther & Purim

Have you seen the rather off beat movie "For Your Consideration?" If you have a sense of humor that is a bit skewed - you have to see it!!
Warning: NOT a flick for the kids.

The movie starts out with its focus on the holiday Purim. I admit I knew next to nothing about this holiday. So, what do you do when that happens??

Since my childhood friend who attended Rabbinical school, is 1500 miles away I . . . . Hit the Cyber Highway, of course!

It is very cool that our Salvation History Bible study covered this ground, too! Purim starts with Esther. . . . .

Here is a good summary and link to more details. The story of Esther contains three different episodes:

1 Vashti was banished, and Esther became Queen (Esther 1 & 2)

Queen Vashti refused to obey the command of her husband King Ashasuerus, so he divorced her and sought a new queen. This new queen had to be the most beautiful woman in the land. A young Jewish girl, Esther, was chosen. Her uncle, Mordecai, overheard a plot against the king, and warned him through Esther.

2 Esther saved Mordecai from Haman (Esther 3-8:14)

Mordecai offended a high court official, who decided to kill not only Mordecai but all the Jews in the Persian empire. Esther pleaded with the king at two banquets she gave. Mordecai was saved from death, and Haman was punished.

3 Esther saved the Jewish people of Persia (Esther 8:15-10)

Letters were sent throughout the kingdom repealing the decree of death for all Jews. There was great rejoicing, and an annual festival called Purim celebrated the courage of Esther and the deliverance of the Jews.

Very interesting facts:
Hadassah, Esther’s Jewish name, comes from the word for 'myrtle', a tree whose leaves only release their fragrance when they are crushed; Esther's full potential only appeared when she and her people were in terrible danger.
The name 'Esther' means 'hidden': Esther's real identity as a Jewess was hidden for years.

sources: http://www.womeninthebible.net/1.14.Esther.htm
The graphic of Esther is detail from Rembrandt's Assuerus, Haman and Esther.
Dry Bones - the story behind the cartoons