The Term Purim and the Black Obelisk

The Term Purim and the Black Obelisk   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....

Rembrandt and Michelangelo

Rembrandt and Michelangelo   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...
The Celebration of Purim

The Celebration of Purim

The Celebration of 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...