Episode 25 :: Purim & The story of Esther

Today is such a fun and unique day on the calendar as well as on the podcast. Across the world today, Jewish communities are celebrating a holiday known as Purim. So, I thought it would be fun to celebrate Purim with you. Happy Purim!! What is Purim you ask?

Today is such a fun and unique day on the calendar as well as on the podcast.

Across the world today, Jewish communities are celebrating a holiday known as Purim. So, I thought it would be fun to celebrate Purim with you. Happy Purim!!

What is Purim you ask? I honestly had never heard of it until about 10 years ago, when I was able to participate in Beth Moore’s study of the book of Esther. I’ll give you the spoiler first: Purim is the celebration that honors the victory for the Jews found at the end of the book of Esther. The Jews in Esther’s story were on the edge of absolute destruction. What happens to the Jewish people in the account of Esther is no less the recording of a miracle through the events and actions of brave people placed by God exactly where they were for such a time as this.

Growing up in church, I had heard the story of Esther, but I was drawn to the idea of getting to know more about one of the only two women who had books of the Bible named after them. And ever since then, God has used this unique book over and over and over again in my life to make Himself known in the most unlikely of places.

One of, if not the most, unique thing about the book of Esther is this: God’s name is NEVER mentioned within its pages. Not once. But as Beth often says “His Name is all over it.” If anything, the way that the events in this book played out are the ultimate picture of what kind of storyteller God really is. It is full of “it just so happened” moments. So many people are at the right place at the right time.

The celebration of Purim is actually created during the book of Esther, (in chapters 9, 10) and it derives its name from the lots, or the “pur” which were the dice type items, that were thrown to decide what day the destruction of the Jews would take place. The date, by the way, just so happened to be the day before Passover. Another moment in time where the Jews were miraculously rescued in a foreign land from pending destruction by the Lord.

(I sort of went off on a historical bunny trail during the episode here, and honestly, I may not have said everything correctly as I humbly admit I am not a Biblical scholar, but you can read more and do you own research about the things I mention like the Diaspora, the captivity of the Jews and their carrying off by King Nebuchadnezzar, their time in exile, and the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem and the Temple. These are all hard, beautiful, important and fascinating parts of Israel’s story, but like the events that unfolded in the story of Esther, God is faithful to restore His people, and keep His promises no matter how grim it may appear to be or how grim it may appear to become again.)

Now, you may be asking yourself, “How do people celebrate Purim, Em?” Well. First of all, they have a ton of fun with it. There are traditional desserts that are tied to Haman, the enemy of the Jews, called hamantaschen, and other amazing food items to create a feast.

The most fun part, to me anyway, is that they gather together for a reading of what i called “the whole Megillah” Heard that term before? Megillah is the Yiddish term for “the entirety of something, especially something that is an entanglement of intricate arrangements or a long, complicated story.” And Esther certainly fits that bill. And so, the people of Jewish communities gather together for a reading of the whole story of Esther, or, the whole Megillah. Many of the kids dress in costumes, people wear masks and they use something called a grogger, which is a spinning noise maker for when every time Haman, the reeeeeally bad guy in this story’s name is mentioned, they spin their grogger, stomp their feet and drown out the sound of his name.

And so, to celebrate this Purim, we decided to read the whole Megillah for you! With the help of some of my friends and family, you’re about to hear a reading of the whole book of Esther! You can enjoy this reading of the Word just for you or share it with friends and have your own version of a Purim festival!

Here are some links to recipes lists of Purim feast items, for my fellow gluten-free peeps, here is a recipe to make the Haman Hats/Ears or hamantaschen cookies gf! Grab some masks, princess crowns, don your stomping shoes or make your own grogger!

Then, when all is said and done, take some time to reflect on some of these questions on your own, with your kids, or whomever you share this experience with.

-“Where have you seen God show up in the most unlikely of places?”
-”Where have you thought there was no way things were going to work out, and then they did? Can you look back and see the moments everything changed for the better?”
-”Are you living in a season where you feel like God has forgotten you? Does Esther and the Jews of Persia story encourage you at all?”
-”Are you living in a season of your calling that you don’t understand? How can you lean in to who God is to remind you He will complete the work He began?”
-”Are there any people at your school/work who treat others differently because of how they look or what they believe? Do you think that’s OK? How can we remind everyone that we are all made in the image of God?”

My beloved sister is a Hebrew Bible scholar and she shared a book with me that shared the blessing that is said before and after the reading of the Megillah on Purim, and so I wanted to share those blessings with you.

To be read before the reading:

“Blessed are You, Source of the Universe, who has sanctified our lives through His commandments, commanding us to read the scroll of Esther

Blessed are You, Source of the Universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, in this season.

Blessed are You, Source of the Universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for helping us reach this moment. ”

To be read upon the completion of the reading:

“Blessed are You, Source of the Universe, who has championed our cause and passed judgement on our behalf. Praised are You, who saves the people from all enemies, for You are redemption. ”

Happy Purim, friends. Your story isn’t finished. It all matters. You matter, for such a time as this.