Celebrating Purim in Israel

This week was Purim in Israel. It was my first time celebrating this holiday, and I didn't know what to expect.

historical info from chabad.org

I mean, I know the story of Esther. It's a favorite. But I wasn't sure how the day would be celebrated. 

So when I started hearing about balls and parties, and seeing costumes in local shops, I was surprised. Then I learned that dressing up in costumes is a big part of the celebration. The reason why is because this real-life event—how God saved the Jews from annihilation at the hands of Haman in Persia—doesn't have any overtly obvious miracles. God worked miraculously—in disguise. His appearance in Esther (Megillah in Hebrew) is also hidden: through how He works and references to prayer... the name of God isn't even mentioned!

photo from chabad.org

A second tradition is that if you go to a synagogue on Purim, you'll hear the reading of the entire book of Esther (Megillah). As it's only 10 chapters, it isn't too long.

A typical food for Purim are hamantaschen, 3-cornered pastries that are basically pockets with filling, which is often poppy seeds. There are many reasons for this, from the shape of the pastry to the poppy seeds. The most intriguing to me was a story from the Talmud that Daniel was Esther's faithful messenger in the palace, and since both ate kosher, they ate a lot of poppy seeds.

photo from myjewishlearning.com

Another theory for the shape of the pastry is that Mordechai sent messages to all the Jews talking about the destruction that would come, but they didn't believe him. So he sent more, but was worried they would be intercepted. So instead he hit them in side pocket pastries.

Another story is that Haman wore a 3-cornered hat. And the word "tash" in the middle of Hamantaschen means "to weaken". Literally, Haman weakens. 

Other traditions include giving gifts to the poor or charity, as well as gifts to a friend.

While I didn't go to any parties or feasts (I didn't know about one until it was too late, as I'd already made plans), I saw so many people in costumes—adults and kids alike. People at were dressed up or had a fun decoration on their clothes. Stores were decorated as well. I went to a sporting goods store on Wednesday and each of the mannequins had something fun added to the outfits they were advertising. Schools were out for both Wed and Thurs, and there was a festive feeling in the air. 

One more cool thing I learned about the significance of Purim: God has used this date multiple times to show His rescue of the Jewish people. For instance: 

• Joseph Stalin died on Purim in 1953
• The Persian Gulf war, which started with Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, ended on Purim.

So fun! As for me, I spent Purim hiking around Mount Tabor in the Jezreel Valley—but that's another post for another day!

!חג פורים שמח

Hadassah: One Night with the King

In continuing with our series on Esther, we're going to look at another fictional retelling of her story: Tommy Tenney's Hadassah.

I first read this book in college, and loved it so much that I kept it. In fact, this is my favorite fictional re-telling of Esther's story. Upon re-reading it, I realized why. 

First of all, it starts off in a place I know well, which is always fun to discover. But more importantly, Tenney's insight into the character of Esther is so profound. His voice is beautiful, and he really takes the time to draw you into her heart and her view of the king. I love how she chose to approach the king, and the parallels Tenney draws between that and how we are to approach God's presence are powerful. 

As one character put it: "When you are in the presence of the King of Kings, destiny—not just your own, but the world's—can change in the twinkling of an eye" (page 78).

In addition, we're given even more insight in this book as to the history between Haman and the Jews, as Haman is an Amalekite. Tenney takes the reader through the line of 500 years and the consequences of Saul's sin of not executing every member of that nation as was commanded by God. 

In fact, this book was so well-received that it became a movie in 2006! Click here to see the movie, or to purchase the book on Amazon, click here!

Esther: Royal Beauty

Okay, we are switching back to Biblical fiction, this time with two different fictional retellings of Esther's story!

First, this week we'll look at Angela Hunt's Esther, the first in her A Dangerous Beauty series.

I'm a fan of Angela Hunt, and Esther is a favorite story of mine, so when I saw that this author and written a re-telling of this story, I had to check it out.

This story is told from 2 characters' viewpoints: Esther's (her Jewish name is Hadassah) and King Xerxes' chamberlain (eunuch), Harbonah. The reader is able to follow Hadassah's journey from a child to queen, while also reading from an "insider's" perspective through Harbonah.

It's a great retelling, and really takes the reader into Hadassah's world. I also loved the depiction of Haman. She wrote him to almost to be like Wormtongue in Tolkien's The Two Towers, in an ostentatious sort of way. You can definitely see this progression in Hunt's portrayal, and because of her deep dive into the characters' flaws and inner struggles, can understand better how it happened—which makes the victory at the end all the more incredible!

If you like the story of Esther, this is a great read. Click here to purchase on Amazon!