March 1: Purim

Today is Purim, a traditional Jewish festival dating back to the 13th century. The festival celebrates the story of Queen Esther.

When the Jews were a disgraced and defeated people living in Exile. The king of Persia chose young Esther to be his queen, not knowing of her Jewish identity. Meanwhile, the Jewish leader Mordechai refused to bow to Haman, the king’s haughty prime minister. Enraged, Haman convinced the king to declare one day in which every citizen was encouraged to attack and murder the resident Jews in each province and town. Esther approached the king without being summoned—an action that endangered her life. She told him of her identity and begged him to have mercy on her people.

The king had Haman executed, and pledged himself to the protection of the Jews. Unable to reverse the edict, he aided the Jews in defending themselves on the set day. The Jews gathered together and struck down thousands of their enemies on the thirteenth day of the Jewish month of Adar—the day that would come to be called Purim.

Haman has come to symbolize all of those who have tried to destroy the Jewish race throughout the centuries. To the Jews, Purim represents God’s continual deliverance and His commitment to never forsake His people.

On this day, Jews from all over the world dress up in colourful costumes and rejoice in the streets. It is a time for exchanging gifts and giving to the poor. The most sacred tradition is the annual reading of the M’gillah, the book of Esther, at every Synagogue. The participants clap and cheer throughout the reading. They always make loud noises when Haman’s name is mentioned in an attempt to drown out the name of their oppressor—be it Pharaoh, Caesar, Hitler, or Husain—with the sound of their joy.

Verse of the day: Deuteronomy 31:6
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.