by hadassah | Mar 16, 2016 | American Jewish History, Purim
American Presidents and Haman References to this ageless story of God’s divine intervention against evil have been made on several occasions by early American presidents. On December 17, 1778 (then General) George Washington wrote to Joseph Reed, newly-elected...
by hadassah | Mar 16, 2016 | Purim
As we know from the Book of Esther, the casting of lots – known as ‘Pur’ – was used by Haman to establish the date on which he intended to attack and murder the Jews of Shushan. Purim is a plural of that term. Scholars note that the date of Purim falls during...
by hadassah | Mar 16, 2016 | Purim
The Festival of Purim is the celebration of God’s intervention to save the Jews of Persia from the evil Haman in the 5th Century BCE. Based on a document in the Vatican Archives we learn that the festival of Purim was celebrated in Jerusalem in the year 78 BCE....
by hadassah | Mar 16, 2016 | Purim
Haman and Ahasuerus visit Esther, Rembrandt, Pushkin State Museum, Moscow “”So the king and Haman came to feast with Queen Esther. On the second day, the king again asked Esther at the wine feast, ‘What is your wish, Queen Esther? I shall be granted you…’” Esther...
by hadassah | Mar 16, 2016 | Purim
The story of Purim is told in the biblical Book of Esther and is celebrated today much in the way that the book delineates. But what happened between now and then? Although not commonly known, there is textual, archaeological and artistic evidence of the celebration...
