Megillat Esther Chabad Magazine

רתסא תליגמ

The Scroll of Esther

ARTWORK BY YEHUDA LANG

TO THE purim story

Revealing the Hidden Hand of G-d

“To the One who makes miracles all alone, for His kindness is forever.” —Psalms

The first thing you notice about the Scroll of Esther is that G-d’s name is absent. The great victory and Haman’s defeat occur within the natural order of seemingly fortunate coincidences. The Purim story finds no open miracles like splitting a sea or oil lasting eight days. Instead, we read about a non-Jewish king with Jewish subjects living in exile, and that’s precisely the point.

The Everyday Holiday

Purim celebrates the hand of G-d that helps us in our daily life wherever we are even while we are subject to non-Jewish governments. Purim is the festival that celebrates our Divine connection even when we are in exile and G-d’s Presence seems absent. G-d’s name is not mentioned in the story of Purim because the Divine salvation that can find us anywhere and fuses the supernatural within natural events is beyond names or descriptions.

Megillat Esther

The word scroll “megilla” comes from the Hebrew word “giluy” to reveal, and Esther means hidden, so “Megillat Esther” alludes to revealing the hidden. The story of Purim reveals the hidden hand of G-d in everyday miracles that G-d does “all alone” because no one else can see it. We call it nature or natural events, but G-d sees it as constant miracles.

Read It Forward

One of the Talmudic regulations regarding the reading of the Megilla is, “One who reads the Megilla backward has not fulfilled his obligation.” This means that the story must be read sequentially, avoiding, for instance, starting with the last chapter and ending with the first.

Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760), the founder of Chasidism, sees a deeper, more pressing interpretation of this law, explaining that reading the story “backward” means to view Purim as a historical account from years ago. That’s not how to read the Megilla. Instead, the Baal Shem Tov insisted that the story of Esther should be read as an ongoing account of how the hand of G-d is concealed within our daily “circumstantial” occurrences. The story is not only about what happened but also about what is happening.

Happening Now

In this view, the Purim story is not confined to ancient times but mirrors the narrative of our daily lives, transcending eras and circumstances. It’s a tale of how our enemies awaken our intrinsic commitment to G-d, and it’s Israel’s ongoing

story of finding the strength to persevere against Hamans of all kinds.

Haman’s Hatred

What was true then is still true today. Haman attacked us not because of what we did but because of who we were. Hamans of the world seek to annihilate Jews regardless of their level of commitment or individual beliefs or practices. The story of Purim tells us how, although we were dispersed across various lands with different customs and languages, Haman saw us as “one people” and sought to destroy men and women, elderly and babies. This detail of the story is essential for us today as it sheds light on a critical factor in the victory.

Jewish Unity

Haman’s attack displayed his evil intent, but it also highlighted the unifying factor and oneness of all Jews. Although we tend to notice our differences, Haman reminds us and highlights who we are: one people with one heart.

The very phrase used by Haman to imply our disunity, “There’s one nation scattered throughout your kingdom,” underscores our extraordinary connection to each other today. Even when geographically separated and immersed in diverse cultures, Jews maintain a collective identity as “one nation.” The Torah is our unifying force, fostering an internal cohesion that transcends external differences.

Jewish Oneness

We’ve faced adversaries like Haman throughout history, but we’ve endured thanks to our “Oneness.” Situations change, but one thing stays the same with every victory: our unity.

In practice, the Purim observances of sending food gifts to friends and giving gifts to the poor reflect this unity as it turns love into action. Although we are always commanded to love our neighbor and feed the hungry, Purim requires us to actively seek out others and those in need. It’s the one holiday that cannot be celebrated alone because we need each other to destroy Haman.

Light Over Darkness

Jewish unity is a powerful antidote to modern Hamans. Our unity has spiritual ripple effects. When we create an atmosphere of love and peace within our home and community, that harmony impacts the world around us. We can each shine a light, but our superpower is a collective light that amplifies and blazes through the toughest

darkness and can heal a broken world. In a way, Haman was responsible for his downfall. His evil schemes backfired, and instead of inflicting destruction, he unwittingly activated Jewish unity, mitzvah observance, and our Divine protection.

One Step Forward

As we read Esther’s tale, let’s take a page from the Purim playbook and seek out and connect with other Jews. A true sense of Jewish unity implies a love for every Jew, even those we do not know personally. Generally, we give food gifts to our friends and close associates. In contrast, by reaching out and helping a poor person we may never have seen before, we show that our personal feelings do not limit our relationships with others. We don’t go backward on Purim; we step forward lovingly toward each other. This is how we win.

PURIM OBSERVANCES

how-to purim

This is how we do it

Purim Calendar

14 Adar—Purim: Purim eve begins the previous night (13th of Adar) with the reading the Scroll of Esther. The Purim joy is celebrated on the day of Adar 14 with the four mitzvot of Purim.

15 Adar—Shushan Purim: If you live in a ancient walled cities—Jerusalem is the primary example— Purim is observed on the 15th of Adar. This is to commemorate the fact that in the ancient walled city of Shushan, the battles between the Jews and their enemies extended for an additional day.

Purim Prep

PARSHAT ZACHOR

The Shabbat before Purim is called Zachor, because Zachor means to remember, and the Torah commands us to “Remember to blot out the name of Amalek.” Haman (a great-grandson of Amalek) is blotted out with graggers while reading the Megilla on Purim.

THE FAST OF ESTHER

We observe Ta’anit Esther, Esther’s fast, on the day before Purim. The fast commemorates the fast observed by Esther. (Occasionally, when Purim occurs on a Sunday, Ta’anit Esther is held on the Thursday before Purim.) However, unlike Yom Kippur, this fast is a custom; therefore, if you have any health issues, contact your Rabbi for guidance.

THE HALF-SHEKEL

On Ta’anit Esther, giving three half-dollars to charity is customary. This custom is in memory of the halfshekel Jews gave in Temple times. This biblical tax supported the supply of Divine offerings used in the Temple service. Spiritually, the half shekel reminds us that G-d Himself is our other “half,” He completes us by making us His partners in perfecting creation. The sages advise us to give three half shekels since the Hebrew word terumah donation and “half-shekel” are mentioned three times in the Torah.

1 2 3 4

The 4 Mitzvot of Purim

We celebrate Purim by observing these special Mitzvot:

הליגמ ארקמ LISTEN TO THE MEGILLA

In her letter to the Jews, Queen Esther asked that we listen to the reading of the Megilla twice: once on Purim night, and again on Purim day. The megilla, a.k.a. “The Scroll of Esther,” is the scroll that tells the Purim story.

םיניבאל תונתמ GIVE TO THE POOR

Give money (or food) to at least two needy Jewish people during the daylight hours of Purim. This mitzvah brings joy to the poor, and surprisingly, you will notice that the giver also experiences intense joy by giving. So, give joy to get joy.

תונמ חלשמ SEND GIFTS OF FOOD

Send a package containing at least two different ready-to-eat food items and/or beverages (e.g., pastry, fruit, beverage) to at least one Jewish acquaintance during the daylight hours of Purim. Men send to men, and women to women.

החמשו התשמ ENJOY A FESTIVE MEAL

Enjoy a festive Purim meal with challah or bread, and celebrate with good food and fine wine.

Purim Traditions

SPECIAL PRAYERS

On Purim, we include the brief V’al Hanisim section in all the day’s prayers, as well as in the day’s Grace after Meals. This prayer describes the Purim story and thanks G-d for the “miracles, redemptions, mighty deeds, saving acts and wonders” that He wrought for our ancestors on this day many years ago.

DRESS UP

On Purim, children—and some adventurous adults too— traditionally dress in costumes, an allusion to G-d’s vailed hand in the Purim miracle, which was hidden behind natural events.

HAVE A HAMANTASCH

In Yiddish, the poppy seed is called “Mohn,” and the word for “pocket” is “Tasch.” The Midrash explains that Esther kept kosher in the palace and survived on a miraculous “seed” diet. This inspired the now-famous Purim custom of eating poppyseed-filled cookies, Mohn-Tasch, or as we call it, Hamantasch or plural Hamantaschen

MEGILLA

READING laws & customs

• The mitzvah is to hear the megilla in-person directly from the reader.

• The reader reads from a handwritten parchment scroll.

• Rise while the reader recites the blessings—both the preliminary and the concluding blessings.

• One should refrain from talking during the reading of the megilla..

• During the megilla reading, the reader pauses four times, allowing the listeners to recite the bold “four verses of redemption - as indicated with this icon:

• One who is stuck on Purim without a kosher megilla, and no synagogue in the vicinity, should nevertheless read the megilla— from a printed text or online—both Purim night and day. The blessings, however, are not recited in such an instance.

NOTE ON THE BOOING:

While reading the Scroll of Esther, it is a custom to make noise whenever Haman’s name is mentioned (Chabad custom is to make noise only when Haman’s name is accompanied by a title like “the wicked Haman”). We twirl graggers (noisemakers) or stamp our feet to eradicate his evil name. We have indicated those with this icon:

BLESSINGS BEFORE READING THE MEGILLA

During the Evening Prayer: After the Amidah, complete Kaddish is recited, followed by the Megilla reading. (This applies when Purim occurs on Saturday night as well.)

During the Morning Prayer: After the Amidah, the chazzan recites Half Kaddish. The Torah is removed from the Ark, and the section for Purim is read. After the Torah is raised, the Megilla is read.

The reader recites the blessings, and all those listening to the reading respond ןֵמָא as indicated.

וניֵֽקֹלא ,'ה התא ךורב ,םלֹועה ךל ֶֽ מ ,ויתוצמב ונ ָֽ ׁש דִק ר א :הלגמ ארְקמ לע ונ ָֽ וצו

וניֵֽקֹלא ,'ה התא ךורב ,םלֹועה ךל ֶֽ מ

,וני ֵֽ תֹובאל םיּסִנ ה ׂש עׁש :הזה ןמזב םהה םימיב

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the reading of the Megilla.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.

When reciting the following blessing during the day, bear in mind that it applies also to the other mitzvot of Purim (sending gifts of food, giving charity, and eating a festive meal.

וניֵֽקֹלא ,'ה התא ךורב ,םלֹועה ךל ֶֽ מ ונ ָֽ עיגהו ונ ָֽ מיִקו ונ ָֽ יֱחהׁש :הזה ןמזל

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

Chapter 1

King Achashverosh of Persia invites all his ministries and subjects to a feast, and after his wife Vashti’s refusal, the King has her executed.

יֵ֣מיִּב י֖הְיַו

שו֑רֵוְשַחֲא

עב֛ ׁש ו֔כ־דעו ודֹ֣המ ֙ ךלמה ׁשֹו֗רוׁשַח א או֣ה

תב֣ ׁש כ ם֑הה םי֖מיב ב ׃הָֽנידמ ה֖אמו םי֥רׂש עו

ר֖ ׁש א ֹו֔תוכלמ אּ֣ס כ ל֚ע ׁשֹו֗רוׁשַח א ךל֣מה |

הׂ֣ש ע ֹו֔כלמל ׁ֙שֹולׁש תַ֤נ ׁש ב ג ׃ה ָֽ ריבה ן֥ ׁש וׁשב

י֗דמו ס֣רפ | ליֵ֣ח וי֑דבע ַֽ ו וי֖רׂש־ל כל ה֔תׁש מ ֹו֗תארהב ד ׃ויָֽנפל תֹו֖נידמה י֥רׂש ו םי֛מתרפ ַֽ ה

תר֖אפת רָ֔קי־ת֨או ֹו֔תוכלמ דֹו֣בכ ֙רׁש֨ ע־תא

׃םֹוי ת֖אמו םיִ֥נֹומ םי֔ בר םי֣מי ֹו֑תלודג

ךל֡מה הׂ֣ש ע הל֗אה םי֣מיה | תֹוא֣למבו ה

לֹוד֧גמל ה֜ריבה ן֨ ׁש וׁשב ֩םיאצמִנה ם֣עה־לכל

ן֖תיב תַ֥נג ר֕צֲח ַֽ ב םי֑מי ת֣עב ה֖ תׁש מ ן֛טָק־דעו

־ילבַחב ֙זוחא תל֗כתו ס֣פרכ | רו ֣ ח ו ׃ךל ֶֽ מה

תֹו֣טמ ׁש֑ י דו֣מעו ףס֖כ ילי֥לג־לע ן֔מגראו ץו֣ב

׃תרָֽחסו ר֥דו ׁש֖ ו־טה ַֽ ב ת֥פצ ִֽ ר ל֛ע ףס֗כו ב֣הז | םיִ֑נֹוׁש םי֣לכמ םי֖לכו ב֔הז י֣לכב ֙תֹוקׁש הו ז ת֖דכ ה֥יתׁש הו ח ׃ךל ֶֽ מה ד֥יכ ב֖ר תו֛כלמ ןי֥יו ֹו֔תיב ב֣ר־לכ ל֚ע ךל֗מה דּ֣ס י | ן֣כ־יכ סֵ֑נא ןי֣א ׃ׁשי ִֽ או־ׁשיא ןֹו֥צרכ תֹוׂ֖שעַֽל םיׁ֑שָנ ה֣ תׁש מ ה֖תׂש ָֽ ע ה֔כלמה י֣ת ו ם֚ג ט ֙םֹויב י ׃ׁשֹורוׁשַח א ךל֥מל ר֖ ׁש א תו֔כלמה תי֚ב ןמוהמ֠ל ר֡מא

And it came to pass in the days of Achashverosh

the same Achashverosh who ruled from Hodu to Cush, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces. 2 In those days, when King Achashverosh sat on his royal throne, which was in Shushan the capital. 3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his ministers and servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles and all the ministers of the provinces in his service.

4 For many days, one hundred and eighty days, he displayed the glorious wealth of his kingdom and the splendorous beauty of his majesty. 5 And when these days came to an end, the king made a seven-day feast in the courtyard of the king’s palace garden, for all the people in Shushan the capital, nobleman and commoner alike. 6 There were hangings of white, green and blue, held by cords of linen and purple wool to silver rods and marble pillars. There were divans of gold and silver on a floor of alabaster and marble [arranged in patterns of] rows and circles. 7 Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of assorted design, and the royal wine was in abundance as befitting the king. 8 The drinking was by the law, without force, for so had the king ordered all the stewards of his household, to comply with each man’s wish.

Vashti’s Refusal 9 Queen Vashti, too, made a feast for the women in the royal palace of King Achashverosh. 10 On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he ordered Mehuman, Bizzeta, Charvona, Bigta, Avagta, Zeitar and Charkas, the seven chamberlains

Current Events

The story of Esther should be read as an ongoing account of how the hand of G-d is concealed within our daily “circumstantial” occurrences. The Scroll of Esther is not only about what happened but also about what is happening.

THE BAAL SHEM TOV

Beyond the Mask

In the Scroll of Esther, you won’t find mention of G-d’s name. No seas split on Purim, no oil lasted eight days, and Purim seems like a series of fortunate coincidences. And that’s the point: while other festivals celebrate G-d’s wondrous interventions, Purim extols the hand of G-d concealed within the natural events of our daily grind.

THE REBBE

י֧תׁש ו־תא איבה֠ל אי ׃ׁשֹורוׁשַח א

םי֤מע ָֽ ה תֹו֨ארהל תו֑כלמ רת֣כב ךל֖מה יֵ֥נפל

׃אי ִֽ ה ה֖ארמ ת֥בֹוט־י ִֽ כ ה֔יפי־תא ֙םירׂש הו

ךל֔מה ר֣בדב ֙אֹובל י֗ת ו ה֣כלמה ן֞אמתו בי

ד֔אמ ֙ ךל֨מה ף֤צְקיו םי֑סיר ָֽ ּס ה ד֣יב ר֖ א

םי֖מכֲחַֽל ךל֔מה רמאֹ֣יו גי ׃ֹוב ה֥רע ָֽ ב ֹו֖תמֲח ַֽ ו

־לכ יֵ֕נפל ךל֔מה ר֣בד ֙ןכ־יכ םי֑תע ָֽ ה י֣עדֹי

֙רתׁש אָ֤נ ׁש רכ וי֗לא בֹ֣רָקהו די ׃ןי ִֽ דו ת֥ד י֖עדֹי

ן֑כוממ אָ֖נסרמ סר֥מ ׁשי֔ ׁש רת את֣מדא

ךל֔מה יֵ֣נפ ֙יאֹר י֗דמו ס֣רפ | י֣רׂש ת֞עב

־ה ַֽ מ ֙תדכ וט ׃תוכלמב הָ֖נֹׁשא ִֽ ר םי֥בׁש יה

־אֹל ר֣ א | ל֣ע י֑תׁש ו ה֖כלמב תֹוׂ֔שעל

ד֖יב ׁשֹו֔רוׁשַח א ךל֣מה ֙רמאמ־ת ֶֽ א ה֗תׂש ע

׃םי ִֽ סיר ָֽ ּס ה

אֹ֤ל םי֔רׂש הו ֙ ךל֨מה יֵ֤נפל ן֗כוממ רמאֹ֣יו זט

י֤כ ה֑כלמה י֣תׁש ו ה֖תו ָֽ ע ֹו֔דבל ֙ ךל֨מה־לע

ר֕ ׁש א םי֔מע֣ה־לכ־לעו ֙םירׂש ה־לכ־לע א֤צי־י ִֽ כ זי ׃ׁשֹורוׁשַח א ךל֥מה תֹו֖נידמ־לכב

תֹו֥זבהל םיׁ֔שָ נה־לכ־לע ֙הכלמה־רבד

ׁשֹו֡רוׁשַח א ךל֣מה ם֗רמאב ן֑היֵני ֵֽ עב ן֖הילעב

־אֹלו ויָ֖נפל ה֛כלמה י֧תׁש ו־תא אי֨בהל ר֞מא

־סר ָֽ פ תֹו֣רׂש | הָנ ר֣מא ֹּ ת ה֜זה םֹו֨יה ְֽ ו חי ׃הא ָֽ ב

ל֖כל ה֔כלמה ר֣בד־תא ֙ ועמ ָֽׁש ר֤ א י֗דמו

־לע־םא טי ׃ףצָֽקו ןֹו֥יזב י֖דכו ךל֑מה י֣רׂש

ב֛תכיו ויָ֔נפלמ ֙תוכלמ־רבד א֤צי בֹו֗ט ךל֣מה

אֹו֜בת־אֹל ר֨ ׁש א רֹו֑בעַֽ י אֹ֣לו י֖דמו־סר ָֽ פ י֥תדב

ן֣תי ֙ התוכלמו ׁשֹו֔רוׁשַח א ךל֣מה ֙יֵנפל י֗תׁש ו

֩עמׁשִנ ו כ ׃הָנ ֶֽ ממ ה֥בֹוטה ה֖תוערל ךל֔מה

י֥כ ֹו֔תוכלמ־לכב ֙הׂש עי־ר ֶֽ ׁש א ךל֤מה ם֨גתפ

ן֔הילעבל ֙רָקי ו֤נתי םיׁ֗שָ נה־לכו אי֑ה ה֖בר יֵ֥ניעב ר֔בדה ֙בטייו אכ ׃ן ָֽ טָק־דעו לֹו֖דגמל ׃ן ָֽ

כוממ ר֥בדכ

who attended King Achashverosh. 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king wearing the royal crown, to show her beauty to the nations and ministers, for she was indeed beautiful. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to appear by the king’s order brought by the chamberlains, and the king grew furious and his wrath seethed within him.

13 So the king conferred with the sages, those knowledgeable of the timesùfor this was the king’s custom, to [bring such matters] before those who were versed in every law and statute. 14 Those closest to him were Carshina, Sheitar, Admata, Tarshish, Meress, Marsina and Memuchan. These were the seven ministers of Persia and Media, who had access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom. 15 [He asked them:] “By law, what should be done with Queen Vashti for failing to obey the order of King Achashverosh, brought by the chamberlains?”

Vashti is Deposed 16 Memuchan declared before the king and the ministers: “It is not against the King alone that Queen Vashti has sinned, but against all the ministers and all the nations in all the provinces of King Achashverosh. 17 For word of the queen’s deed will reach all the women and it will belittle their husbands in their eyes. For they will say: ‘King Achashverosh commanded that Queen Vashti be brought before him, yet she did not come!’ 18 This very day, the noblewomen of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s deed will repeat it to all the King’s nobles and there will be much disgrace and anger. 19 If it please the King, let a royal edict be issued by him, and let it be written into the laws of Persia and Media and let it not be revoked, that Queen Vashti may never again appear before King Achashverosh, and let the King confer her royal title upon another woman who is better than she. 20 And the King’s decree which he shall proclaim will be heard throughout his kingdom, for it is indeed significant, and all the women will respect their husbands, nobleman and commoner alike.” 21 The idea pleased the king and the ministers, and the king did as Memuchan had advised. 22 He sent letters to all the king’s provincesùto each province in its script and to each nation in its language [saying] that every man shall be master in his home and that he speak the language of his nation.

Chapter 2

The search for a new queen finds Esther, who is told by her cousin Mordechai to hide her Jewish identity. Mordechai discovers a plot to kill the king and saves the king’s life.

ךל֣מה ת֖מֲח ךֹׁ֕שכ הל֔אה םי֣רבדה ֙רַחא

־ר א ת֣או ֙ית ו־תא ר֤כז ׁשֹו֑רוׁשַח א

־י ֵֽ רעַנ ו֥רמאיו ב ׃הי ֶֽ לע ר֖זגִנ־רׁש א ת֥או התׂ֔ש ע

תֹו֖לותב תֹו֥רעְנ ךל֛מל וׁ֥שְקבי וי֑תר ָֽ ׁש מ ךל֖מה

־לכב ֘םידיִקפ ךל֣מה דֵ֨קפיו ג ׃ה ֶֽ ארמ תֹו֥בֹוט

־ה ָֽ רעַנ־לכ־תא ו֣צבְקיו ֹ֒ותוכלמ תֹו֣נידמ

־לא ֙הריבה ן֤ ׁש וׁש־לא ה֜ארמ ת֨בֹוט הלות֠ב

ר֣מֹׁש ךל֖מה סי֥רס א֛גה ד֥י־לא םיׁ֔שָ נה תי֣ב

֙בטית ר֤ א ה֗רעַנ ַֽ הו ד ׃ן ֶֽ היֵק ֻֽ רמת ןֹו֖תָנו םי֑ ׁשָ נה

ר֛בדה ב֧טייו י֑תׁש ו תַח֣ת ךֹ֖למת ךל֔מה יֵ֣ניעב

׃ן ֵֽ כ ׂשע֥יו ךל֖מה יֵ֥ניעב

ן֣ ׁש וׁשב ה֖יה י֔דוהי ׁשי֣א ה

רי֧אי ן֣ב י֗כדרמ ֹו֣מׁש ו ה֑ריבה

׃יִֽנימי ׁשי֥א ׁשיִ֖ק־ןב י֛עמׁש־ן ב

ר֣ ׁש א ֙הלגה־םע םי֔ל ו֣רימ ֙הלגה ר֤ א ו

ה֔לגה ר֣ ׁש א ה֑דוהי־ךל ֶֽ מ ה֣יְנכי ם֖ע ה֔תלגה

הּ֗ס דה־תא ן֜מא י֨היו ז ׃ל ֶֽ בב ךל֥מ ר֖צֶנדכובְנ

ם֑או ב֣א ה֖ל ןי֥א י֛כ ֹו֔דד־תב ֙רתסא אי֤ה תֹו֤מבו ה֔ארמ ת֣בֹוטו ֙ראֹּ֨ת־תפי ה֤רעַֽנהו

י֗היו ח ׃ת ַֽ בל ֹו֖ל י֛כדרמ הָ֧חָקל ה֔מאו ֙ הי֨בא

תֹו֥רעְנ ץ֞בָקהבו ֹו֔תדו ֙ ךל֨מה־רבד ע֤מׁש הב חַ֤קלתו י֑גה ד֣י־לא ה֖ריבה ן֥ ׁש וׁש־לא תֹו֛בר

ר֥מֹׁש י֖גה ד֥י־לא ךל֔מה תי֣ב־לא ֙רתסא דסֶ֣ח אׂ֣ש תו ֘ויָניעב ה֣רעַֽנה ב֨טיתו ט ׃םיׁשִָֽ נה ֙ ה֨תֹונ ָֽ מ־תאו היֶ֤קורמת־תא להבי֠ו ֒ויָנפל ־תת ָֽ ל תֹו֥יאר ָֽ ה תֹו֔רעְנה עב֣ ֙ת או ה֔ל ת֣תל

Search for a New Queen 1 After these events, when King Achashverosh’s wrath had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed upon her. 2 So the king’s attendants advised: “Let beautiful virgin girls be sought for the King. 3 And let the King appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, and let them gather every beautiful virgin girl to Shushan the capital, to the harem, under the charge of Heigai, chamberlain of the King, custodian of the women, and let their cosmetics be provided. 4 Then let the girl who finds favor in the King’s eyes become queen in Vashti’s stead.” The plan pleased the king and he acted accordingly.

Esther is Brought to the Palace

5 There was a Jewish man in Shushan the capital, whose name was Mordechai, son of Yair, son of Shim’iy, son of Kish, a Benjaminite,

6 who had been exiled from Jerusalem with the exiles that had been exiled along with Jechoniah, King of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, had sent into exile. 7 He raised his cousin Hadassah, also called Esther, for she had neither father nor mother. The girl was of beautiful form and beautiful visage, and when her father and mother died, Mordechai adopted her as his daughter 8 Now when the king’s order and edict became known, and many girls were gathered to Shushan the capital under the charge of Heigai, Esther was also taken to the palace under the charge of Heigai, custodian of the women. 9 The girl found favor in his eyes and won his kindness, so that he hurried to provide her with her cosmetics and meals, and the

This verse is read aloud by the congregation followed by the reader:

Mordechai the Jew

The Hebrew term for Jew, Yehudi, shares its root with hodayah, meaning thanks and acknowledgment.

Every day, Jews begin with the similar word “modeh” to express this gratitude. The foundation and core of Jewish identity is recognizing and appreciating that a Divine being has bestowed upon us a soul and purpose.

THE REBBE

בֹו֖טל הי֛תֹורעַֽנ־תאו הֶ֧נׁש יו ךל֑מה תי֣במ ה֖ל ה֖מע־תא ר֔תסא הדי֣גה־אֹל י ׃םיׁשִָֽ נה תי֥ב

ר֥ ׁש א הי֖לע ה֥וצ י֛כדרמ י֧כ ה֑תדלֹומ־תאו

ך֔להתמ ֙יכדרמ םֹו֔יו םֹו֣י־לכבו אי ׃די ִֽ גת־אֹל

םֹו֣לׁש־ת א ֙תע֨דל םי֑ ׁשָ נה־תיב ר֣צֲח יֵ֖נפל ה֨רעַֽנ ֩ר ֹּ ת עי֡גהבו בי ׃ה ָֽ ב הׂ֖ש ע ֵֽ י־המו ר֔תסא ֩ץֵקמ ׁשֹו֗רוׁשַח א ךל֣מה־לא | אֹו֣בל ה֜רעַֽנו

י֛כ ׁשדֹ֔ח רׂ֣ש ע םיֵ֣נׁש ֙םי ׁשָ נה ת֤דכ ה֜ל תֹו֨יה

ןמ֣ ׁש ב ֙םיׁש דֳח ה֤ ׁש ׁש ן֑ היֵקורמ י֣מי ו֖אלמי ן֥כ

יֵ֖קורמתבו םי֔מׂש בב ֙םיׁש דֳח ה֤ ׁש ו ר֔מה

֩תא ךל֑מה־לא ה֣אב ה֖רעַנ ַֽ ה ה֕זבו גי ׃םיׁשִָֽ נה

תי֥במ ה֔מע אֹו֣בל ֙ הל ן ֵֽ תָ֤ני ר֜מא ֹּ ת ר֨ ׁש א־לכ

ה֗אב אי֣ה | בר֣עב די ׃ךל ֶֽ מה תי֥ב־דע םיׁ֖שָ נה

־לא יִ֔נ ֙םי ׁשָ נה תי֤ב־לא ה֞ב אי֣ ה רֶקֹבב֠ו

־אֹל םי֑ גלי ִֽ פה ר֣מֹׁש ךל֖מה סי֥רס ז֛גׁש ע ַֽׁש ד֧ י

ךל֖מה ה֛ב ץ֥פָח־םא י֣כ ךל֔מה־לא ֙דֹוע אֹו֥בת

׃ם ֵֽ ׁש ב ה֥ארְקִנו

י֡כדרמ ד֣ד ליַ֣חיבא־תב ר֣תסא־ר ֹּ ת עי֣גהבו וט אֹ֤ל ךל֗מה־לא אֹו֣בל ת֜בל ֹו֨ל־חַֽקל ֩רׁש א ־סירס י֥גה ר֛מאֹי ר֥ ׁש א־תא ם֣א י֠כ ר֔בד ֙הׁשְק ב

ןֵ֔ח תאׂ֣שֹנ ֙ר תסא י֤התו םי֑ ׁשָ נה ר֣מֹׁש ךל֖מה ךל֤מה־לא ר֜תסא חַ֨קלתו זט ׃הי ֶֽ אֹר־לכ יֵ֖ניעב

י֖ריׂש ע ָֽ ה ׁשדֹ֥חב ֹו֔תוכלמ תי֣ב־לא ׁ֙שֹורוׁשַח א

׃ֹותוכלמל עבׁ֖ש־תַנ ב ת֑בט דֹ֣ח־אוה םיׁ֔שָ נה־לכמ ֙רתסא־תא ךל֤מה ב֨הא ֶֽ יו זי

םׂש֤יו תֹו֑לותבה־לכמ ויָ֖נפל דסֶ֛חו ןֵ֥ח־אׂש תו ׃י ִֽ תׁש ו תַח֥ת ה֖כילמיו הׁ֔שאֹר ב ֙תוכלמ־רת ֶֽ כ ֙וירׂש־ל כל לֹו֗דג ה֣ת מ ךל֜מה ׂשע֨יו חי ֙תֹונידמל הָ֤חָנה ַֽ ו ר֑תסא ה֣תׁש מ ת֖א וי֔דבע ַֽ ו ץ֥בָקהבו טי ׃ךל ֶֽ מה ד֥יכ ת֖אׂש מ ן֥תיו הׂ֔ש ע ׃ךל ֶֽ מה ־רע ַֽ ב בׁ֥שֹי י֖ כדרמו תיִ֑נׁש תֹו֖ל ותב ה֔מע־תאו ֙ התדלֹומ תד֤גמ ר֗תסא

seven maids that were to be given her from the palace. He also transferred her and her maids to the best quarters in the harem. 10 [All the while] Esther did not divulge her race or ancestry, for Mordechai had instructed her not to tell. 11 Every day Mordechai would stroll in front of the harem courtyard to find out how Esther was faring and what would be done with her. 12 Now when each girl’s turn came to go to King Achashverosh, after undergoing the prescribed twelve-month care for women (for only then would their period of beauty-care be completed: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and women’s cosmetics. 13 with which the girl would appear before the king), she would be provided with whatever she requested to accompany her from the harem to the palace. 14 In the evening she would go [to the king], and in the morning she would return to the second harem, under the charge of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, custodian of the concubines. She would not go to the king again, unless the king desired her, whereupon she would be summoned by name.

Esther Becomes Queen 15 And when the time came for Esther, daughter of Avichayil uncle of Mordechai, who had taken her as a daughter, to go to the king, she did not ask for a thing other than that which Heigai, the king’s chamberlain, custodian of the women, had advised. And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 16 Esther was taken to King Achashverosh, to his palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tevet, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther more than all the women and she won his favor and kindness more than all the virgins; he placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in Vashti’s stead. 18 Then the king made a grand feast for all his ministers and servants, The Feast of Esther. He lowered [taxes] for the provinces and gave presents befitting the king. 19 And when the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordechai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 Esther would [still] not divulge her ancestry or race, as Mordechai had instructed her. Indeed, Esther followed Mordechai’s instructions just as she had done while under his care.

Mordechai Saves the King

21 In those days, while Mordechai sat at the king’s gate, Bigtan and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains from the threshold guards, became angry and planned to

׃ׁשֹר ֵֽ וׁשַח א ךל֖מב ד֔י ַחֹ֣ל ל ֙ וׁשְקביו ףּ֔ס ה

ה֑כלמה ר֣תסאל ד֖גיו י֔כדרמל ֙רבדה ע֤דויו בכ

ׁשַ֤קביו גכ ׃י ָֽ כדרמ ם֥ ׁש ב ךל֖מל ר֛תסא רמאֹּ֧תו

ב֗תכיו ץ֑ע־לע ם֖היֵנׁש ו֥לתיו א֔צמיו ֙רבדה

׃ךל ֶֽ מה יֵ֥נפל םי֖מיה י֥רבד רפ֛סב

assassinate King Achashverosh. 22 The matter became known to Mordechai and he informed Queen Esther. Esther then informed the king of it in Mordechai’s name. 23 The matter was investigated and found [to be true] and the two were hanged on the gallows. It was then recorded in the Book of Chronicles before the king.

Chapter 3

The king’s evil advisor, Haman, convinces the king to eliminate all the Jews in his empire and uses a lottery to choose the one day, Adar 13, for the genocide.

ךל֨מה ֩לדג הל֗אה םי֣רבדה | רַ֣חא א

את֛דמה־ן ֶֽ ב ן֧מה־תא ׁשֹו֜רוׁשַח א

־לכ ל֕עמ ֹו֔אסכ־תא ֙םׂש֨יו וה֑אׂשַנ י ַֽ ו י֖גגא ָֽ ה

־ר א ךל֜מה י֨דבע־לכו ב ׃ֹותא ר֥ ׁש א םי֖רׂש ה

ן֖כ־יכ ן֔מהל ֙םיוֲחת ִֽ מו םי֤ערכ ךל֗מה רע֣ ׁש ב

׃ה ֶֽ וֲחתׁש ִֽ י אֹ֥לו ע֖רכי אֹ֥ל י֔כדר֨מו ךל֑מה ֹו֣ל־הוצ

ךל֖מה רע֥ ׁש ב־ר א ךל֛מה י֥דבע ו֜רמאֹ֨יו ג

׃ךל ֶֽ מה ת֥וצמ ת֖א ר֔בֹוע ה֣תא ֙ עו֨דמ י֑כדרמל

ם֑הילא ע֖מ אֹ֥ל ו םֹו֔יו םֹו֣י ֙וילא ם֤רמאכ י֗היו ד

־י ִֽ כ י֔כדרמ י֣רבד ֙ ודמע ַֽ יה ֙תֹוארל ן֗מהל ודי֣גיו

־יכ ן֔מה אר֣יו ה ׃י ִֽ דוהי או֥ה־רׁש א ם֖הל די֥גה

ן֖מה א֥למיו ֹו֑ל ה֖וֲחתׁש ִֽ מו ע֥רכ י֔כדרמ ןי֣א

ֹו֔דבל י֣כדרמב ֙די ַחֹ֤לׁש ל ויָ֗ניעב זב֣יו ו ׃ה ָֽ מֵח

ן֗מה ׁשֵ֣קביו י֑כדרמ ם֣ע־תא ֹו֖ל ודי֥גה־י ִֽ כ

־לכב ר֛ ׁש א םי֛דוהיה־לכ־תא די֧מׁש הל

ׁשדֹ֤חב ז ׃י ָֽ כדרמ ם֥ע ׁשֹו֖רוׁשַח א תו֥כלמ

ה֔רׂש ע םי֣תׁש ֙תַנ ׁש ב ן֔סיִנ ׁשדֹ֣ח־אוה ֙ןֹוׁשאר ָֽ ה

יֵ֣נפל ל֜רֹוגה או֨ה ֩רופ לי֣פה ׁשֹו֑רוׁשַח א ךל֖מל רׂ֖ש ע־םיֵנׁש ׁש דֹ֥חל דֹ֛חמו םֹו֛יל | םֹו֧ימ ן֗מה

ךל֣מל ֙ןמה רמאֹ֤יו ח ׃ר ָֽ דא ׁשדֹ֥ח־אוה

ןי֣ב ֙דרפמו ר֤זפמ דָ֗חא־םע ֹו֣נ י

1 After these events, King Achashverosh promoted Haman, son of Hamdata, the Agagite and advanced him; he placed his seat above all his fellow ministers. 2 All the king’s servants at the king’s gate kneeled and bowed before Haman, for so had the king commanded concerning him. But Mordechai would not kneel or bow.

3 The king’s servants at the king’s gate said to Mordechai, “Why do you transgress the King’s command?” 4 Finally, when they had said this to him day after day and he did not listen to them, they informed Haman to see if Mordechai’s words would endure, for he had told them that he [would never bow because he] was a Jew. 5 When Haman saw that Mordechai would not kneel or bow before him, Haman was filled with wrath. 6 But he thought it contemptible to kill only Mordechai, for they had informed him of Mordechai’s nationality. Haman sought to annihilate all the Jews, Mordechai’s people, throughout Achashveirosh’s entire kingdom. 7 In the first month, which is the month of Nissan, in the twelfth year of King Achashverosh’s reign, a pur, which is a lot, was cast before Haman, for every day and every month, [and it fell] on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.

8 Haman said to King Achashverosh, “There is one nation scattered and dispersed among the nations throughout the provinces of your kingdom, whose laws are unlike those of any other nation and who do not obey the laws of the

Winning the Lotto

Haman’s decision to randomly pick a date to attack the Jews symbolized a shift to a spiritual battle beyond rationality. Haman wanted to attack us in a realm irrespective of human actions. Purim celebrates and highlights the subconscious or irrational aspect of our Divine care and the unconditional love between G-d and His people.

One Nation

The very phrase used by Haman to imply our disunity, “There’s one nation scattered throughout your kingdom,” underscores our extraordinary connection to each other today. Even when geographically separated and immersed in diverse cultures, Jews maintain a collective identity as “one nation.”

THE REBBE

ע ַֽ ו ם֑דבאל ב֖תכי

־לא אי֖בהל ה֔כאלמה יׂ֣ש ע ֙ידי־לע ֙לֹוקׁש א

ל֣עמ ֹו֖תעבט־תא ךל֛מה רס֧יו י ׃ךל ֶֽ מה י֥זְנג

ר֥רצ י֖גגא ָֽ ה את֛דמה־ן ֶֽ ב ן֧מהל הָ֗נתי ַֽ ו ֹו֑די

ןו֣תָנ ףס֖כה ן֔מהל ֙ ךל֨מה רמאֹ֤יו אי ׃םי ִֽ דוהיה

֩ וארָֽקיו בי ׃ךיֶֽניעב בֹו֥טכ ֹו֖ב תֹוׂ֥שעַֽל ם֕עהו ך֑ל

רׂ֣ש ע הׁ֨שֹול ׁש ב ןֹוׁ֗שאר ָֽ ה דֹ֣חב ךל֜מה י֨רפס

ל֣א ן֡מה ה֣וצ־רׁש א ־לכ ְֽ כ ב֣תכיו ֹ֒וב ֘םֹוי

־לע | ר֣ ׁש א תֹו֞חפה־לא ְֽ ו ךלמ֠ה־יֵֽנפרדׁשַח א

הָ֤נידמ ם֔עו ֙םע ירׂ֤ש־ל או הָ֗נידמו הָ֣נידמ

ם֨ ׁש ב ֹו֑נֹוׁשלכ ם֖עו ם֥עו ה֔בתככ ֙הָנידמו

תע֥בטב ם֖תְחֶנו ב֔תכִנ ׁ֙שֹרוׁשַח א ךל֤מה

־לא ֘םיצר ָֽ ה ד֣יב םי֜רפס ַחֹו֨לׁשִנ ו גי ׃ךל ֶֽ מה

ד֣באלו גֹ֣רהַֽל די֡מׁש הל ֒ ךלמה תֹו֣נידמ־לכ

֙םיׁשָנ ו ף֤ט ןֵ֜קז־דעו רעַ֨נמ םידוהי֠ה־לכ־תא

־םיֵנׁש ׁש דֹ֥חל רׂ֛ש ע הׁ֥שֹול ׁש ב דָ֔חא םֹו֣יב

ןג֣ ׁש תפ די ׃זֹובל ם֖לל ו ר֑דא דֹ֣ח־אוה רׂ֖ש ע

יו֖לג הָ֔נידמו הָ֣נידמ־לכב ֙תד ן ֵֽ תָ֤נהל ב֗תכה ׃ה ֶֽזה םֹו֥יל םי֖דתע תֹו֥יה ִֽ ל םי֑מע ָֽ ה־לכל ת֥דהו ךל֔מה ר֣בדב ֙םיפוחד ו֤אצָֽ י םי֞צר ָֽ ה וט

ו֣בׁש ָֽ י ֙ןמהו ךל֤מהו ה֑ריבה ן֣ ׁש וׁשב הָ֖נתִנ

׃הכֹובָנ ן֖ וׁש רי֥עהו תֹו֔ת ל

King. It is not in the King’s interest to tolerate them. 9 If it please the King, let [an edict] be issued for their destruction, and I will pay ten thousand silver talents to the functionaries, to be deposited in the King’s treasuries.” 10 The king removed his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, son of Hamdata, the Agagite, persecutor of the Jews. 11 The king said to Haman, “The money is yours to keep, and the nation is yours to do with as you please.” 12 The king’s scribes were then summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and all that Haman commanded to the king’s satraps and the governors of each province and to the nobles of each nation was written to each province according to its script and each nation according to its language. It was written in King Achashveirosh’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 13 Letters were sent with couriers to all the provinces of the king: to annihilate, murder and destroy all the Jews, young and old, children and women, on one dayùthe thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar and to plunder their possessions. 14 Copies of the edict were to be proclaimed as law in every province, clearly to all the nations, so that they should be ready for that day. 15 The couriers hurried out with the order of the king and the law was proclaimed in Shushan the capital. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, while the city of Shushan was in turmoil.

Chapter 4

Mordechai prevails upon Esther to intercede before the king.

ע֤רְקיו הׂ֔ש עַֽנ ר֣ ׁש א־לכ־תא ֙עדי י֗כדרמו א קׂ֖ש ׁש֥בליו וי֔דגב־תא ֙יכדרמ

ה֖לֹודג

Mordechai Asks Esther to Intervene 1 Mordechai knew all that had occurred, so Mordechai tore his clothes [in mourning] and put on sackcloth and ash. He went out into the city crying loudly and bitterly. 2 He went up until the king’s gate, for it is improper to enter the king’s gate wearing sackcloth. 3 And in every province, wherever the edict of the king and his law reached, there

ד֑פסמו י֖כבו םֹו֥צו םי֔דוהיל ֙לֹודג לב֤א עי֔גמ תֹו֨רעַֽנ הָנאֹובת֠ו ד ׃םי ִֽ בר ָֽ ל ע֖צי רפ֔או קׂ֣ש

ה֖כלמה לַ֥חלַחתתו ה֔ל ודי֣גיו ֙ הי֨סיר ָֽ סו ר֤תסא

י֗כדרמ־ת ֶֽ א ׁשי֣בלהל םי֜דגב ח֨לׁש תו ד֑אמ

ר֨תסא ֩ארְקתו ה ׃ל ֵֽ בִק אֹ֥לו וי֖לע ֵֽ מ ֹו֛קׂש רי֥סהלו

היֶ֔נפל די֣מע ֶֽ ה ר֣ א ֙ ךל֨מה י֤סיר ָֽ ּס מ ך֜תהַֽל

־המ־לעו ה֖ז־המ תע֥דל י֑כדרמ־ל ַֽ ע וה֖וצתו

רי֔עה בֹו֣חר־לא י֑כדרמ־ל ֶֽ א ך֖תה א֥ציו ו ׃ה ֶֽ ז

ת֖א י֔כדרמ ֹו֣ל־דגיו ז ׃ךל ֶֽ מה־רע ַֽׁש יֵ֥נ פל ר֖ ׁש א

ר֨ ׁש א ףס֗כה ת֣ ׁש ר ָֽ פ | ת֣או וה֑רָק ר֣ ׁש א־לכ

םי֖דוהיב ךל֛מה י֥זְנג־לע לֹוקׁש֠ ל ֙ןמה ר֤מא

ן֨תִנ־רׁש א תד֠ה־ב ָֽ תכ ןג֣ ׁש תפ־תאו ח ׃ם ָֽ דבאל

־תא תֹו֥ארהל ֹו֔ל ןתָ֣נ ֙םדימ הל ן֤ וׁשב

־לא אֹו֨בל הי֗לע תֹו֣וצלו ה֑ל די֣גהלו ר֖תסא

׃ה ָֽ מע־לע ויָ֖נפלמ ׁשֵ֥קבלו ֹו֛ל־ןֶנַחת ִֽ הל ךל֧מה

׃י ָֽ כדרמ י֥רבד ת֖א ר֔תסאל ד֣גיו ך֑תה אֹו֖ביו ט

׃י ָֽ כדרמ־ל ֶֽ א וה֖וצתו ך֔תהַֽל ֙רתסא רמאֹּ֤תו י

םי֗עדֹי ךל֜מה תֹו֨נידמ־םעו ךל֡מה י֣דבע־לכ אי

֩ ךלמה־לא־אֹובי ר֣ ׁש א ה֡ או ׁשי֣א־לכ ר֣ ׁש א תַ֤חא א֗רָקי־אֹל ר֣ ׁש א תי֜מיִנפה ר֨צָח ֶֽ ה־לא

ךל֛מה ֹו֥ל־טיׁשֹו י ר֨ ׁש א ֵֽ מ דב֠ל תי֔מהל ֹ֙ותד

֙יתא֨רְקִנ אֹ֤ל יִ֗נא ַֽ ו ה֑יָחו ב֖הזה טי֥ברׁש־ת א

ודי֣גיו בי ׃םֹוי םיׁ֥שֹול ׁש ה֖ ז ךל֔מה־לא אֹו֣בל

י֖כדרמ רמאֹ֥יו גי ׃ר ֵֽ תסא י֥רבד ת֖א י֔כדרמל

ט֥למהל ך֔ ׁש פַנב י֣מדת־לא ר֑תסא־לא בי֣ ׁש הל

ׁש֣רֲח ַֽ ה־םא י֣כ די ׃םי ִֽ דוהיה־לכמ ךל֖מה ־תיב

דֹו֤מעַֽ י ה֞לצהו חו֣ר ֒תאֹזה ת֣עב ֘יׁשי רֲח ַֽ ת

ךי֖בא־תיבו ת֥או רֵ֔חא םֹו֣קממ ֙םידוהיל

תע֖גה תאֹ֔זכ ת֣על־םא ע֔דֹוי י֣מו וד֑בא ֹּ ת

־ל ֶֽ א בי֥ הל ר֖תסא רמאֹּ֥תו וט ׃תוכלמל םי֜דוהיה־לכ־תא סֹו֨נכ ֩ ךל זט ׃י ָֽ כדרמ ו֨לכא ֹּ ת־לאו יל֠ע ומו֣צו ן֗ ׁש וׁשב םי֣אצמִנ ַֽ ה יִ֥נא־םג םֹו֔יו הלי֣ל ֙םימי תׁשֹ֤ל ׁש ו֜תׁש ת־לאו ר֣ ׁש א ֙ ךל֨מה־לא אֹו֤בא ן֞כבו ן֑כ םו֣צא י֖תֹרעַֽנו רֹ֖בעי ַֽ ו זי ׃יתד ָֽ בא יתד֖בא ר֥ א ַֽ כו ת֔דכ־אֹל

׃ר ֵֽ תסא וי֖לע ה֥תוצ־רׁש א ל֛ככ ׂשע֕יו י֑כדרמ

was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, crying and wailing; sackcloth and ash were spread out for the masses. 4 Esther’s maids and chamberlains came and told her about it and the queen was terrified. She sent garments with which to dress Mordechai so that he would remove his sackcloth from upon him, but he did not accept them. 5 Esther summoned Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains whom he had placed in her service, and she commanded him to go to Mordechai to find out the meaning of this and what it was about.

6 Hatach went out to Mordechai, to the city square that was in front of the king’s gate.

7 And Mordechai told him about all that had happened to him and about the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the right to destroy the Jews.

8 He also gave him a copy of the law that was proclaimed in Shushan calling for their annihilation, to show Esther and to tell her about it, and to instruct her to go to the king to beseech him and to plead with him on behalf of her nation. 9 Hatach went and relayed the words of Mordechai to Esther. 10 Esther told Hatach to relay to Mordechai: 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes to the king and enters the inner courtyard without being summoned, his is but one verdict: execution; except for the person to whom the king extends his golden scepter [only] he shall live. And I have not been summoned to come to the king for thirty days now.” 12 They relayed Esther’s words to Mordechai, 13 and Mordechai said to relay to Esther, “Do not think that you will escape [the fate of] all the Jews by being in the king’s palace. 14 For if you will remain silent at this time, relief and salvation will come to the Jews from another source, and you and the house of your father will be lost. And who knows if it is not for just such a time that you reached this royal position.” 15 Esther said to relay to Mordechai: 16 “Go and gather all the Jews who are in Shushan and fast for my sake, do not eat and do not drink for three days, night and day. My maids and I shall also fast in the same way. Then I shall go to the king, though it is unlawful, and if I perish, I perish.” 17 Mordechai then left and did all that Esther had instructed him.

Jewish Unity

Jewish unity is a powerful antidote to modern Hamans. Although we are obligated to love our neighbor and feed the hungry, Purim requires us to actively seek out others and those in need. Purim is the only Jewish holiday that cannot be celebrated alone because we need unity with each other to destroy Haman. THE

Purim’s Power

Purim is the only Jewish holiday celebrating a victory that occurred while we were outside of Israel, “scattered” in Exile. Purim is named after the Persian word for “Lots,” making it the only Jewish holiday with a non-Hebrew name. Purim is the reminder that G-d’s miracles will find you in any situation, wherever you are, and in whatever language you speak.

Chapter 5

Esther invites the king and Haman to a private party, only to invite them to a second party. Mordechai refuses to bow to Haman, this angers Haman and he erects gallows to hang Mordechai.

תו֔כלמ ֙רתסא ׁש֤בלתו יׁ֗שי ל ה םֹו֣יב | י֣היו א תי֔מיִנפה ֙ ךל֨מה־תיב ר֤צֲח ַֽ ב ד֞מעת ַֽ ו

ֹ֙ותוכלמ אּ֤ס כ־לע בׁ֞שֹוי ךלמה֠ו ךל֑מה תי֣ב חכֹ֖נ תֹו֨ארכ ֩יהיו ב ׃תי ָֽ בה חת֥פ חכֹ֖נ תו֔כלמה תי֣בב

ה֥אׂשָֽנ ר֔צָח ֶֽ ב ֙תד֨מע ה֗כלמה ר֣תסא־תא ךל֜מה טי֤ברׁש־ת א ר֗תסאל ךל֜מה טׁשֹו֨ יו ויָ֑ניעב ןֵ֖ח

ׁשאֹ֥רב ע֖גתו ר֔תסא ב֣רְקתו ֹו֔דיב ר֣ ׁש א ֙בהזה

ר֣תסא ך֖ל־המ ךל֔מה ֙ הל רמאֹ֤יו ג ׃טי ִֽ בר ה

ן ֵֽ תָ֥ניו תו֖כלמה י֥צֲח־דע ך֛תׁשָֽ קב־המו ה֑כלמה

אֹו֨בי בֹו֑ט ךל֖מה־לע־םא ר֔תסא רמאֹּ֣תו ד ׃ךָֽל

יתיׂ֥ש ע־רׁש א ה֖ת מה ־לא םֹו֔יה ֙ןמהו ךל֤מה

־תא תֹוׂ֖שעַֽל ן֔מה־תא ֙ ורה ַֽ מ ךל֔מה רמאֹ֣יו ה ׃ֹול

ה֖תׁש מה־לא ן֔מהו ֙ ךל֨מה אֹ֤ביו ר֑תסא ר֣בד

֙רתסאל ךל֤מה רמאֹ֨יו ו ׃ר ֵֽ תסא ה֥תׂש ָֽ ע־ר א ־המו ך֑ל ן ֵֽ תָ֣ניו ך֖תל ֵֽ אׁש־ה מ ןי֔יה ה֣תׁש מב

ר֖תסא ןע֥תו ז ׃ׂש ָֽ עתו תו֖כלמה י֥צֲח־דע ך֛תׁשָֽ קב ןֵ֜ח יתא֨צמ־םא ח ׃י ִֽ תׁשָֽ קבו י֖תל ֵֽ א ר֑ מא ֹּ תו

־תא ֙תתל בֹו֔ט ֙ ךל֨מה־לע־םאו ךל֗מה יֵ֣ניעב

ן֗מהו ךל֣מה אֹו֧בי י֑תׁשָֽ קב־תא תֹוׂ֖שעַֽלו י֔תל֣אׁש

הׂ֖ש ע ֶֽ א רָ֥חמו ם֔הל הׂ֣ש ע ֶֽ א ר֣ ׁש א ֙התׁש מה־לא

ַח֖מׂש א ו֔הה םֹו֣יב ֙ןמה א֤ציו ט ׃ךל ֶֽ מה ר֥בדכ ךל֗מה רע֣ ׁש ב י֜כדרמ־ת ֶֽ א ן֨מה ֩תֹוארכו ב֑ל בֹו֣טו י֖כדרמ־ל ַֽ ע ן֛מה א֥למיו ונ֔ממ ע֣ז־אֹלו ֙םָק־אֹלו ח֛לׁש יו ֹו֑תיב־לא אֹו֖ביו ן֔מה ק֣פאתיו י ׃ה ָֽ מֵח ר֨פסיו אי ׃ֹותׁש א ׁשר֥ז־תאו וי֖בהא־תא

Esther Goes to the King 1 On the third day Esther donned [garments of] royalty and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace, facing the palace. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the palace facing the palace entrance.

2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard she found favor in his eyes. The king extended to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand and Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

3 The king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? [Even if it be] half the kingdom, it will be granted you.” 4 Esther said, “If it please the King, let the King and Haman come today to the feast that I have prepared for him.” 5 The king said, “Tell Haman to hurry and fulfill Esther’s bidding.” And the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. 6 At the wine feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your plea? It will be granted you; what is your request? [Even if it be] half the kingdom it shall be fulfilled.” 7 So Esther replied and said, “My plea and my request: 8 If I have found favor in the King’s eyes, and if it please the King to grant my plea and fulfill my request, let the King and Haman come to the feast that I shall prepare for them, and tomorrow I shall fulfill the King’s bidding.” 9 That day Haman left happy and content. But when Haman saw Mordechai at the king’s gate and [Mordechai] neither rose nor trembled before him, Haman was filled with wrath against Mordechai. 10 Haman restrained himself and went to his house and sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 Haman told them of his glorious wealth and his many sons, and all about how the king had promoted and raised him above all the king’s ministers and servants. 12 Then Haman said: “In addition, along with the king, Queen

ה֥ת

מה־לא ךל֛מה־םע ה֧כלמה ר֨תסא יִ֥נא רָ֛חמל־םגו י֑תֹוא־םא י֣כ התׂ֖ש ע־רׁש א י֑ל ה֖וֹׁש ונֶ֥ניא ה֕ז־לכו גי ׃ךל ֶֽ מה־םע ה֖ל־אורָֽק

י֔דוהיה י֣כדרמ־תא ֙האֹר יִ֤נא ר֨ ׁש א ת֗ע־לכב

ֹו֜תׁש א ׁשר֨ז ֹ֩ול רמאֹּ֣תו די ׃ךל ֶֽ מה רע֥ ׁש ב בׁ֖שֹוי

֒המא םי֣ ׁש מֲח הֹ֣בג ֘ץע־וׂשעַֽ י וי֗בהא־לכו

וי֔לע ֙יכדרמ־ת ֶֽ א ו֤לתיו ךל֗מל ר֣מא | רֶקֹ֣בבו

ב֧טייו ַח֑מׂש ה֖תׁש מה־לא ךל֥מה־םע־אֹב ו

׃ץ ֵֽ עה ׂשע֥יו ן֖מה יֵ֥נפל ר֛בדה

Esther invited only me to the feast that she prepared. Tomorrow, too, I am invited to her [feast] along with the king. 13 Yet all this is worthless to me whenever I see Mordechai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate!” 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have gallows erected fifty cubits high, and tomorrow tell the king to have Mordechai hanged on it. Then you will be able to go in good spirits with the king to the feast.” Haman was pleased with the idea and erected the gallows.

Chapter 6

The king cannot sleep and ponders a fitting reward for a man the king wishes to honor. Haman arrives and wrongly assuming the honor is for himself, suggests royal clothing, the king’s horse, and a royal parade.

רמאֹ֗יו ךל֑מה תַ֣נׁש ה֖ דדָֽנ או֔הה הלי֣לב א

י֣רבד ֙תֹונֹרכזה רפ֤ס־תא אי֞בהל

א֣צמיו ב ׃ךל ֶֽ מה יֵ֥נפל םי֖ארְקִנ ו֥יה ִֽ יו םי֔מיה

ׁשר֗תו אָנ֣תגב־לע י֜כדרמ די֨גה ֩רׁש א בו֗תכ

֙ וׁשְקב ר֤ א ףּ֑ס ה י֖רמ מ ךל֔מה י֣סיר ָֽ ס ֙יֵנׁש

ךל֔מה רמאֹ֣יו ג ׃ׁשֹורוׁשַח א ךל֖מב ד֔י ַחֹ֣לׁש ל

ה֑ז־לע י֖כדרמל ה֛לודגו רָ֧קי הׂ֞ש עַנ־ה ַֽ מ

ֹו֖מע הׂ֥ש עַנ־אֹל וי֔תר֣ מ ֙ ךל֨מה י֤רעַֽנ ו֜רמאֹ֨יו

ר֤צֲחַֽל א֗ב ן֣מהו ר֑צָח ֶֽ ב י֣מ ךל֖מה רמאֹ֥יו ד ׃ר ָֽ בד ֙תֹולתל ךל֔מל ר֣מאל הָ֔נֹוציִ֣חה ֙ ךל֨מה־תיב

ו֜רמאֹ֨יו ה ׃ֹול ןי֥כה־ר א ץ֖עה־לע י֔כדרמ־ת ֶֽ א רמאֹ֥יו ר֑צָח ֶֽ ב ד֣מע ן֖מה הֵ֥נה וי֔לא ֙ ךל֨מה י֤רעַֽנ ךל֔מה ֹ֙ול רמאֹ֤יו ֒ןמה ֘אֹוביו ו ׃אֹובי ךל֖מה ֹו֑רָקי ִֽ ב ץ֣פָח ךל֖מה ר֥ ׁש א ׁשי֕אב תֹוׂ֕שע ַֽ ל־המ

תֹוׂ֥שעַֽל ךל֛מה ץ֥פְחי י֞מל ֹו֔בלב ֙ןמה רמאֹ֤יו

Mordechai’s Reward 1 That night, the king’s sleep was disturbed. He ordered that the Book of Records, the Chronicles, be brought, and they were read before the king. 2 It was found written that Mordechai had informed on Bigtan and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains from the threshold guards, who had planned to assassinate King Achashverosh. 3 The king asked, “What splendor and honor has been accorded to Mordechai for this?” “Nothing was done for him,” the king’s attendants replied. 4 “Who is in the courtyard?” asked the king. And just then Haman had come to the outer courtyard of the king’s chambers to tell the king to hang Mordechai on the gallows he had prepared for him. 5 “Haman is standing in the courtyard,” the king’s attendants answered him. “Let him come in,” said the king. 6 Haman entered, and the king said to him, “What should be done for a man whom the king wishes to honor?” Now Haman said to himself, “Who would the king wish to honor more than me?” 7 So Haman said to the king, “For a man whom the king wishes to honor, 8 let them bring a royal garment that the king has worn, and a horse upon which the

ׁשו֜בלה

ךל֖מה ר֥ א ׁשי֔אה־תא ֙ וׁשי֨בלהו םי֔מתרפ ַֽ ה

רי֔עה בֹו֣חרב ֙סוּסה־לע וה֤ביכרהו ֹו֑רָקי ִֽ ב ץ֣פָח

ךל֖מה ר֥ ׁש א ׁשי֔אל הׂ֣ש ע ֵֽ י הכ֚כ ויָ֔נפל ו֣ארָֽקו

חַ֣ק רה֠מ ן֗מהל ךל֜מה רמאֹ֨יו י ׃ֹורָקי ִֽ ב ץ֥פָח

־הׂש ע ַֽ ו תר֔בד ר֣ ׁש א ַֽ כ ֙סוּסה־תאו ו֤בלה־תא

־לא ךל֑מה רע֣ ׁש ב בׁ֖שֹו יה י֔דוהיה י֣כדרמל ֙ןכ ־תא ֙ןמה חַ֤קיו אי ׃תר ַֽ בד ר֥ ׁש א ל֖כמ ר֔בד ל֣פת

י֑כדרמ־ת ֶֽ א ׁש֖בליו סוּ֔סה־תאו ׁשו֣בלה

הכ֚כ ויָ֔נפל א֣רְקיו רי֔עה בֹו֣חרב ֙ וה֨ביכריו

בׁש֥ יו בי ׃ֹורָקי ִֽ ב ץ֥פָח ךל֖מה ר֥ ׁש א ׁשי֔אל הׂ֣ש ע ֵֽ י

ֹו֔תיב־לא ףַ֣חדִנ ֙ןמהו ךל֑מה רעׁ֣ש־ל א י֖כדרמ

ֹ֙ות א ׁשר֤זל ן֜מה ר֨פסיו גי ׃ׁשאֹר י ו֥פֲח ַֽ ו ל֖בא

ֹו֨ל ֩ ורמאֹיו וה֑רָק ר֣ א־לכ ת֖א וי֔בה֣א־לכלו

י֞כדרמ םי֡דוהיה ער֣זמ ם֣א ֹו֗תׁש א ׁשר֣זו וי֜מכֲח

־י ִֽ כ ֹו֔ל ל֣כות־אֹל ֙ויָנפל ל֤פְנל תֹו֨לִחה ֩ר א י֥סיר ָֽ סו ֹו֔מע םי֣רבדמ ֙םדֹוע די ׃ויָֽנפל לֹו֖פת לֹו֥פָנ

־לא ן֔מה־תא אי֣בהל ֙ ול֨הביו ועי֑גה ךל֖מה

׃ר ֵֽ תסא ה֥תׂש ָֽ ע־רׁש א ה֖תׁש מה

One Day

Purim is similar to Yom Kippur in its name, drawing of lots, and duration.

The Torah refers to Yom Kippur as “Yom Kippurim” which requires a lottery to choose between the two goats in the Yom Kippur service, and terms Yom Kippur as “One day a year.”

Similarly, Purim and Yom Kippur infuse “Oneness” (“One day”) into every day of the year.

THE REBBE

king has ridden, and upon whose head the royal crown has been placed. 9 And let the garment and the horse be entrusted in the hands of one of the king’s noble ministers, and they shall dress the man whom the king wishes to honor and lead him on the horse through the city square, proclaiming before him, ‘So is done for the man whom the king wishes to honor!’”

10 The king said to Haman, “Hurry! Take the garment and the horse just as you have said, and do just so for Mordechai the Jew who sits at the king’s gate. Do not leave out a thing from all that you suggested.” 11 So Haman took the garment and the horse and dressed Mordechai, and he led him through the city square and proclaimed before him: “So is done for the man whom the King wishes to honor!” 12 Then Mordechai returned to the king’s gate while Haman hurried to his house, miserable, his face covered.

13 Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends about all that had happened to him. And his wise men and his wife Zeresh told him, “If this Mordechai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail over him, for you will certainly fall before him.”

14 While they were still talking with him, the chamberlains of the king arrived, and they rushed to bring Haman to the feast that Esther had prepared.

Chapter 7

At the second party, Esther tells the king that Haman wishes to exterminate her people. Enraged, the king has Haman strung up on the gallows he had prepared for Mordechai.

ר֥תסא־םע תֹו֖ת ל ן֔מהו ֙ ךל֨מה אֹ֤ביו א ם֣ג ר֜תסאל ךל֨מה ֩רמאֹיו ב ׃ה ָֽ כלמה ר֥תסא ך֛תל ֵֽ אׁש־ה מ ןי֔יה ה֣תׁש מב ֙יִנׁש ה םֹו֤יב י֥צֲח־דע

Haman’s Downfall 1 The king and Haman came to drink with Queen Esther. 2 And again on the second day the king said to Esther during the wine feast, “What is your plea, Queen Esther? It will be granted you. What is your request? [Even if it be] half the kingdom it will be fulfilled.”

3 Queen Esther replied and said: “If I have found favor in your eyes, O King, and if it please the King, let my life be granted me by my plea, and the life of my people by my request. 4 For my

גֹו֣רהַֽל

קזֵ֥נב ה֖וֹׁש ר֛צה ןי֥א י֣כ יתׁש֔ רֱח ֶֽ ה ֙ ונר֨כמִנ

רמאֹ֖יו ׁשֹו֔רוׁשַח א ךל֣מה ֙רמאֹ֨יו ה ׃ךל ֶֽ מה

או֔ה ה֣ז־י ֵֽ או ֙הז או֥ה י֣מ ה֑כלמה ר֣תסאל

ר֔תסא רמאֹּ֣תו ו ׃ן ֵֽ כ תֹוׂ֥שעַֽל ֹו֖בל ֹו֥אלמ־רׁש א

ת֔עבִנ ן֣מהו ה֑זה ע֖רה ן֥מה ב֔יֹואו ר֣צ ׁשי֚א

ֹ֙ותמֲח ַֽ ב םָ֤ק ךל֜מהו ז ׃ה ָֽ כלמהו ךל֖מה יֵ֥נפלמ

ד֗מע ן֣מהו ן֑תיבה תַ֖נג־לא ןי֔יה ה֣תׁש ממ

ה֔אר י֣כ ה֔כלמה ר֣תסא ֵֽ מ ֹ֙וׁשפַנ־לע ׁשֵ֤קבל

ךל֡מהו ח ׃ךל ֶֽ מה ת֥אמ ה֖ער ָֽ ה וי֛לא ה֥תלכ־י ִֽ כ

ןי֗יה ה֣תׁש מ | תי֣ב־לא ן֜תיבה תַ֨נגמ ֩בׁש

הי֔לע ר֣תסא ר֣ א ֙ה ָּ טמה־לע ל֗פֹנ ֙ןמהו

ה֛כלמה־תא ׁשֹו֧בכל םג֠ה ךל֔מה רמאֹ֣יו

ן֖מה יֵ֥נפו ךל֔מה י֣פמ ֙אצי ר֗בדה תי֑בב י֖מע

םי֜סיר ָֽ ּס ה־ןמ דָ֨חא הָנֹוברַ֠ח רמאֹ֣יו ט ׃ופָח

ן֩֠מה הׂ֪ש ע־ר א ץ֣עה־הֵֽנה ם֣ג ךל֗מה יֵ֣נפל

֙דמע ךל֗מה־לע בֹו֣ט־רבד ר֧ א י֞כדרמ ְֽ ל

ךל֖מה רמאֹ֥יו ה֑מא םי֣ מֲח הֹ֖בג ן֔מה תי֣בב

ץ֖עה־לע ן֔מה־תא ֙ ולתיו י ׃וי ָֽ לע וה֥לת

׃הכ ָֽ כׁש ךל֖מה ת֥מֲח ַֽ ו י֑כדרמל ןי֣כה־רׁש א

people and I have been sold to be annihilated, killed and destroyed! Had we been sold as slaves and maidservants I would have kept silent. But indeed the persecutor is not bothered by the King’s loss.” 5 King Achashverosh said he said to Queen Esther, “Who is this, and which one is he, that has the audacity to do such a thing?” 6 “A man who is a persecutor and an enemy: this evil Haman!” Esther replied. And Haman shuddered in the presence of the king and the queen. 7 The king arose in wrath and left the wine feast [and went] to the palace garden, while Haman stood up to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king’s hostility towards him was irrevocable. 8 And the king returned from the palace garden to the wine-feast chamber, and Haman had fallen upon the divan upon which Esther was reclining. The king said, “Does he even intend to have his way with the queen while I am in the palace!” As soon as these words left the king’s mouth the face of Haman was covered. 9 Then Charvonah, one of the chamberlains that attended the king, said, “In addition, there is the gallows that Haman erected for Mordechai, who spoke for the King’s good, standing at Haman’s house, fifty cubits high!” “Hang him upon it!” said the king. 10 And they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordechai and the king’s wrath abated.

ח קרפ

Chapter 8

The king authorizes the Jews to defend themselves and kill those who wish to kill them.

ׁ֙שֹורוׁשַח א ךל֤מה ן֞תָנ או֗הה םֹו֣יב א

ן֖מה תי֥ב־תא ה֔כלמה ר֣תסאל ־י ִֽ כ ךל֔מה יֵ֣נפל א֚ב י֗כדרמו םי֑דוהיה ר֣רצ ךל֜מה רס֨יו ב ׃ה ָֽ ל־אוה ה֥מ ר֖תסא הדי֥גה

הָ֖נתי ַֽ ו ן֔מה ֵֽ מ ֙ריבע ֶֽ ה ר֤ ׁש א ֹו֗תעבט־תא

תי֥ב־לע י֖כדרמ־ת ֶֽ א ר֛תסא םׂש֧תו י֑כדרמל

ךל֔מה יֵ֣נפל ֙רבדתו ר֗תסא ףסֹו֣תו ג ׃ן ָֽ מה

Withdrawal of Haman’s Decree 1 On that day, King Achashverosh gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, persecutor of the Jews. And Mordechai came before the king, for Esther had told [the king] how he was related to her. 2 And the king removed his signet ring which he had taken from Haman and gave it to Mordechai, and Esther put Mordechai in charge of Haman’s estate. 3 Esther again spoke before the king and fell before his feet and she cried and begged him to nullify the

Gragger vs. Dreidel

The dreidel spins from above during Chanukah, symbolizing the Divine intervention of oil defying natural laws. In contrast, Purim’s gragger, drowning out Haman’s name, turns from below, signifying Providence hidden in everyday ordinary occurrences. Chanukah celebrates miracles from “above,” while Purim highlights Divine Providence “from below.

THE CHASIDIC MASTERS

Haman’s Downfall

In a way, Haman was responsible for his downfall. His evil schemes backfired, and instead of inflicting destruction, he unwittingly activated Jewish unity, mitzvah observance, and our Divine protection. This cycle repeats itself throughout our history. In the end, light always wins over darkness.

THE REBBE

ַֽ מ ֙תאו י֔גגא ָֽ ה ן֣מה ֙תער

ט֣ברׁש ת֖ א ר֔תסאל ֙ ךל֨מה טׁשֹו֤ יו ד ׃םי ִֽ דוהיה

׃ךל ֶֽ מה יֵ֥נפל ד֖מעת ַֽ ו ר֔תסא םָק֣תו ב֑הזה

ןֵ֣ח יתא֧צמ־םאו בֹו֜ט ךל֨מה־לע־םא רמא ֹּ ת֠ו ה

ויָ֑ניעב יִ֖נא ה֥בֹוטו ךל֔מה יֵ֣נפל ֙רבדה ר֤ כו ויָ֗נפל

־ן ֶֽ ב ן֤מה תבׁ֜שֲח ַֽ מ םי֗רפּס ה־תא בי֣ ׁש הל ב֞תכי

םי֔דוהיה־תא ֙דבאל ב֗תכ ר֣ א י֔גגא ָֽ ה ֙את֨דמה

֙לכוא ה֤ככי ֵֽ א י֠כ ו ׃ךל ֶֽ מה תֹו֥נידמ־לכב ר֖ ׁש א ה֤ככי ֵֽ או י֑מע־תא א֣צמי־רׁש א ה֖ער ָֽ ב יתי֔אר ְֽ ו ׃י ִֽ תדלֹומ ן֖דבאב יתי֔אר ְֽ ו ֙לכוא

ה֔כלמה ר֣תסאל ׁ֙שֹרוׁשַח א ךל֤מה רמאֹ֨יו ז

ר֗תסאל ית֣תָנ ן֜מה־תיב הֵ֨נה י֑דוהיה י֖כדרמלו

׃םי ִֽ דוהיב ֹו֖די ח֥לׁש־ר ׁש א ל֛ע ץ֔עה־לע ו֣לת ֹ֙ותאו ֙םכיֵני ֵֽ עב בֹו֤טכ םי֜דוהיה ־לע ו֨בתכ םתא֠ו ח

ב֞תכ־י ִֽ כ ךל֑מה תע֣בטב ו֖מתִחו ךל֔מה ם֣ ׁש ב

תע֥בטב םֹו֛תְחַנו ךל֗מה־םׁש ב ב֣תכִנ־רׁש א

־תע ָֽ ב ךל֣מה־י ֵֽ רפס ו֣ארָֽקיו ט ׃בי ִֽ ׁש הל ןי֥א ךל֖מה

הׁ֣שֹול ׁש ב ן֗ויס ׁשדֹ֣ח־אוה יׁ֜שי לׁש ה דֹ֨חב איה֠ה

־לא י֣כדרמ ה֣וצ־רׁש א־לכ ְֽ כ ב֣תכיו ֹ֒וב ֘םירׂש עו י֨רׂש ו ֩תֹוחפהו־םיִֽנפרדׁשַח אה ל֣או םי֡דוהיה

םי֤רׂש עו עב֣ ׁש ו֗כ־דעו ודֹ֣המ | ר֣ ׁש א תֹו֜נידמה

ם֥עו ה֔בתככ ֙הָנידמו הָ֤נידמ הָ֔נידמ ֙האמו

׃םָֽנֹוׁשלכו ם֖בתככ םי֔דוהיה־ל֨או ֹו֑נֹׁשלכ ם֖עו

תע֣בטב םֹּ֖תְחיו ׁשֹ֔רוׁשַח א ךל֣מה ֙םׁש ב ב֗ ֹּ תכיו י

י֤בכֹר םי֜סוּסב םי֨צר ָֽ ה ֩דיב םי֡רפס ח֣לׁש יו ךל֑מה

ן֨תָנ ֩רׁש א אי ׃םי ִֽ כמר ָֽ ה יֵ֖נב םיִ֔נרתׁשַח א ָֽ ה ׁ֙שכ֨רה

֘להָקהל רי֗עו ־ריע־לכב ר֣ ׁש א | םי֣דוהיל ךל֜מה

־תא ד֜באלו גֹ֨רה ַֽ ל ֩דימׁש הל ֒םׁש פַנ־לע ד֣מעַֽלו

םיׁ֑שָנ ו ף֣ט ם֖תא םי֥רצה הָ֛נידמו ם֧ע ליֵ֨ח־לכ ךל֣מה תֹו֖נידמ־לכב דָ֔חא םֹו֣יב בי ׃זֹובל ם֖לל ו

רׂ֖ש ע־םיֵנ ׁש דֹ֥חל רׂ֛ש ע הׁ֥שֹול ׁש ב ׁשֹו֑רוׁשַח א ֙תד ן ֵֽ תָ֤נהל ב֗תכה ןג֣ תפ גי ׃ר ָֽ דא ׁשדֹ֥ח־אוה

evil decree of Haman the Agagite and his plot that he had plotted against the Jews. 4 The king extended the golden scepter to Esther and Esther rose and stood before the king. 5 She said, “If it please the King, and if I have found favor before him, and the idea is proper to the King, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let [an order] be issued ordering the withdrawal of the letters containing the plot of Haman, son of Hamdata, the Agagite, in which he ordered the destruction of the Jews throughout the King’s provinces. 6 For how can I behold the calamity that will befall my people? And how can I behold the destruction of my race?”

The New Edict 7 King Achashverosh said to Queen Esther and Mordechai the Jew, “See, I have given Haman’s estate to Esther, and he himself was hanged on the gallows for raising his hand against the Jews. 8 Now you can issue decrees concerning the Jews as you please, in the King’s name and sealed with the King’s signet ring. For an edict written in the King’s name and sealed with the King’s signet ring cannot be withdrawn.” 9 The king’s scribes were then summoned, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on its twenty-third day, and an edict was written according to all that Mordechai instructed the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the nobles of the provinces from Hodu to Cush, one hundred and twenty-seven provincesùto each province according to its script and to each nation according to its language, and to the Jews according to their script and language. 10 He wrote it in King Achashverosh’s name and sealed it with the king’s signet ring. He sent the letters by couriers on horseback, riding mules bred of mares from the king’s stables 11 [saying] that the king had allowed the Jews of every city to gather and stand up for their lives; to annihilate, kill and destroy every army of any nation or province that might attack them, [including their] children and women, and to plunder their possessions, 12 on one day in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. 13 Copies of the edict [were sent] to be proclaimed as law in every province, clearly to all the nations, so that the Jews would be ready for that day to take revenge upon their enemies. 14 The couriers, riding

הָ֖נתִנ ת֥דהו ךל֑מה ר֣בדב םי֖פוחדו םי֥להֹב מ

׃ה ָֽ ריבה ן֥ ׁש וׁשב

ךל֗מה יֵ֣נפלמ | א֣צי י֞כדרמו וט

רו֔חו תל֣כת ֙תוכלמ ׁשו֤בלב

ץו֖ב ךי֥רכתו ה֔לֹודג ֙בהז תר֤טע ַֽ ו

ה֖לה ָֽ צ ן֔ ׁש וׁש רי֣עהו ן֑מגראו

׃הָח ֵֽ מׂש ו

הָ֑חמׂש ו ה֖רֹוא ה֥תי ָֽ ה םי֕דוהיל זט

׃רָֽקיו ןֹׂ֖שׂש ו

֙םֹוקמ רי֗עו רי֣ע־לכבו הָ֜נידמו הָ֨נידמ־לכבו זי

֙ןֹוׂשׂש ו הָ֤חמׂש עי֔גמ ֹ֙ותדו ךל֤מה־רבד ר֨ ׁש א

֙ץר֨אה י֤מע ֵֽ מ םי֞ברו בֹו֑ט םֹו֣יו ה֖תׁש מ םי֔דוהיל

׃ם ֶֽ הילע םי֖דוהיה־דַח ַֽ פ ל֥פָנ־י ִֽ כ םי֔דהית ִֽ מ

mules from the king’s stables, left urgently and hurriedly with the king’s edict, and the law was proclaimed in Shushan the capital.

15 And Mordechai left the king’s presence wearing a royal garment of blue and white, a large golden crown, and a shawl of fine linen and purple wool. And the city of Shushan celebrated and rejoiced.

16 For the Jews there was light and happiness, joy and glory.

17 And in every province and city to which the king’s edict and law reached, there was happiness and joy for the Jews, a celebration and a holiday. Many of the gentiles converted to Judaism, for fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.

Chapter 9

The Jews defend themselves on Adar 13 and rest on Adar 14. In the capital of Shushan, an extra day is needed, and the rest is delayed to Adar 15. Esther has the events recorded, and scrolls are sent to all Jews.

ר֗דא ׁשדֹ֣ח־אוה דֹ֜ח רׂ֨ש ע ֩םיֵנׁש בו א עי֧גה ר֨ ׁש א ֹו֔ב ֙םֹוי רׂ֥ש ע הׁ֨שֹול ב

ו֜רבׂש ר֨ ׁש א םֹו֗יב תֹוׂ֑שע ֵֽ הל ֹו֖תדו ךל֛מה־רבד ר֨ ׁש א או֔ה ךֹו֣פהַֽנו ם֔הב טֹו֣ל ל ֙םידוהיה י֤ביא ו֨להְקִנ ב ׃ם ֶֽ היאְנֹׂש ב המ֖ה םי֛דוהיה ו֧טלׁש י ךל֣מה ֙תֹונידמ־לכב ם֗היר ָֽ עב םי֜דוהיה ׁ֙שיאו ם֑תע ָֽ ר יׁ֖שְק במב ד֔י ַחֹ֣לׁש ל ׁשֹו֔רוׁשַח א ־לכ־לע ם֖דְחפ ל֥פָנ־י ִֽ כ ם֔היֵנפב ד֣מע־אֹל םיִ֣נפרדׁשַח א ָֽ הו תֹו֜נידמה י֨רׂש־ל כו ג ׃םי ִֽ מע ָֽ ה םי֖אׂשַנ מ ךל֔מל ר֣ ׁש א ֙הכאלמה יׂ֤ש עו תֹו֗חפהו ׃ם ֶֽ הילע י֖כדרמ־דַח ַֽ פ ל֥פָנ־י ִֽ כ

The Jews Vanquish Their Enemies 1 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, when the time for the carrying out of the king’s edict and law had arrived, on the day the enemies of the Jews had thought they would dominate them, the situation was reversed: the Jews dominated their enemies.

2 The Jews gathered in their cities throughout the provinces of King Achashverosh to attack those who sought to harm them. No man stood in their way, for fear of them had fallen upon all the nations. 3 And all the ministers of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s functionaries honored the Jews, for fear of Mordechai had fallen upon them. 4 For

The following verses are read aloud by the congregation followed by the reader:

This verse is read aloud by the congregation followed by the reader:

At the point in the story that describes how the 10 sons of Haman were killed and hanged on the gallows, the words in the Megilla are actually stacked in a column, using a format seen in just a few places in scripture.

כ ד

׃לֹודגו ך֥לֹוה י֖כדרמ ׁשי֥אה־י ִֽ כ תֹו֑נידמה־לכב גר֖הו ברֶ֥ח־תכמ ם֔היבי֣א־לכב ֙םידוהיה ו֤כיו ה

ן֣ וׁשבו ו ׃םָֽנֹוצרכ ם֖היאְנֹׂש ב וׂ֥שעַֽ יו ן֑דבאו תֹו֖אמ ׁש֥מֲח ד֔באו ֙םידוהיה ו֤גר ָֽ ה ה֗ריבה

ת֧או ז

׃ׁשי ִֽ א

ת֥או את֛דְנׁש רפ

ת֥או

ןֹו֖פל ַֽ ד

ת֧או ח ׃את ָֽ פסא

ת֥או

ת֥או

ת֤או ט

ת֣או

ת֥או

ת֥או

תרׂש֠ע י

Make Friends

Purim’s observances of food gifts and charity, require us to actively seek out others and those in need. Purim is the one holiday that cannot be celebrated alone because unity cannot be achieved alone.

THE REBBE

את֛רֹופ

א֖ילדא

׃את ָֽ דירא

֙אתׁש֨ מרפ

י֔סירא

י֖דירא

׃את ָֽ זיו

ה֔זב֨בו וג֑רה םי֖דוהיה ר֥רצ את֛דמה־ן ֶֽ ב ן֧מה יֵ֨נב ר֧פסמ א֣ב או֗הה םֹו֣יב אי ׃ם ָֽ די־תא ו֖חל ָֽׁש אֹ֥ל

רמאֹ֨יו בי ׃ךל ֶֽ מה יֵ֥נפל ה֖ריבה ן֥ ׁש וׁשב םי֛גורה ַֽ ה ֩ וגר ָֽ ה ה֡ריבה ן֣ ׁש וׁשב ה֗כלמה ר֣תסאל ךל֜מה

תרׂ֣ש ע ֙תאו ׁשי֗א תֹו֣אמ ׁש֧מֲח ד֜באו םי֨דוהיה

־המו וׂ֑שע ה֣מ ךל֖מה תֹו֥נידמ ר֛אׁש ב ן֔מה־יֵֽנב

׃ׂש ָֽ עתו דֹו֖ע ך֥תׁשָֽ קב־המו ך֔ל ן ֵֽ תָ֣ניו ֙ ךתל ֵֽ אׁש ן֣תָני בֹו֔ט ךל֣מה־לע־םא ֙רתסא רמאֹּ֤תו גי

ת֣דכ תֹוׂ֖שעַֽל ן֔ ׁש וׁשב ר֣ ׁש א ֙םידוהיל רָ֗חמ־םג

׃ץ ֵֽ עה־לע ו֥לתי ן֖מה־יֵֽנב תרׂ֥ש ע ת֛או םֹו֑יה ן֑ וׁשב ת֖ד ן֥תָנתו ן֔כ תֹוׂ֣שע ֵֽ הל ֙ ךל֨מה רמאֹ֤יו די םי֣דוהיה ו֞להָק ִֽ יו וט ׃ולת ן֖מה־יֵֽנב תרׂ֥ש ע ת֛או דֹ֣חל ֙רׂש ע ה֤עברא םֹו֣יב ם֠ג ן֗ וׁשב־רׁש א ה֔זב֨בו ׁשי֑א

Mordechai was prominent in the king’s palace and his fame was spreading throughout all the provinces, for Mordechai was growing in power.

5 And the Jews struck at all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying, and they did with their enemies as they pleased. 6 In Shushan the capital the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.

7 And [they killed]

Parshandata and Dalfon and Aspata,

8 and Porata and Adalya and Aridata

9 and Parmashta and Arisai and Aridai and Vaizata,

10 the ten sons of Haman, son of Hamdata, persecutor of the Jews, but they took none of the spoils. 11 That day, the number of killed persons in Shushan the capital was relayed to the king. 12 The king said to Queen Esther, “In Shushan the capital, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the other provinces of the King? What is your plea? It will be granted you. What is your additional request? It will be fulfilled.” 13 Esther replied, “If it please the King, let the Jews of Shushan be allowed to do tomorrow what was lawful today, and let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows.” 14 The king ordered this done, and the law was proclaimed in Shushan, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged. 15 So the Jews of Shushan gathered again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men in Shushan, but took none of the spoils. 16 And the rest of the Jews of the king’s provinces gathered and stood up for their lives to relieve themselves of their enemies and

םי֖עב ו ה֥ ׁש מֲח ם֔היאְנֹׂ֣שב

֙גֹורהו ם֔היבי֣אמ ־םֹויב זי ׃ם ָֽ די־תא ו֖חל ָֽׁש אֹ֥ל ה֔ זב֨בו ףל֑א ה֤עבראב ַחֹו֗נו ר֑דא דֹ֣חל רׂ֖ש ע הׁ֥שֹול ׁש

׃הָֽחמׂש ו ה֥ת מ םֹו֖י ֹו֔תא הֹׂ֣שעו ֹו֔ב ֙רׂש ע

הׁ֤שֹול ב ֙ ולהְקִנ ן֗ וׁשב־רׁש א םי֣דוהיהו חי

ה֤ ׁש מֲח ַֽ ב ַחֹו֗נו ֹו֑ב רׂ֖ש ע ה֥עבראבו ֹו֔ב ֙רׂש ע

׃הָֽחמׂש ו ה֥ת מ םֹו֖י ֹו֔תא הֹׂ֣שעו ֹו֔ב ֙רׂש ע

י֣רעב ֘םיבׁש יה םי֗זרפה םי֣דוהיה ן֞כ־לע טי

ׁשדֹ֣חל ֙רׂש ע ה֤עברא םֹו֣י ת֠א םיׂ֗ש ע ֒תֹוזרפה

תֹו֖נמ ַחֹ֥ל מו בֹו֑ט םֹו֣יו ה֖ת מו הָ֥חמׂש ר֔דא

םי֖רבדה־תא י֔כדרמ בֹּ֣תכיו כ ׃וה ֵֽ ערל ׁשי֥א ֙רׁש א םי֗דוהיה־לכ־לא םי֜רפס ח֨לׁש יו הל֑אה

םי֖בֹורְקה ׁשֹו֔רוׁשַח א ךל֣מה ֙תֹונידמ־לכב

םיׂ֗ש ע תֹו֣יה ִֽ ל ֒םהילע ֘םיַקל אכ ׃םיִֽקֹוחר ָֽ הו ־םֹוי ת֛או ר֔דא ׁשדֹ֣חל ֙רׂש ע ה֤עברא םֹו֣י ת֠א

םי֗מיכ בכ ׃הָֽנׁש ו הָ֖נׁש־ל כב ֹו֑ב רׂ֖ש ע ה֥ ׁש מֲח

ׁשדֹ֗חהו ם֔היבי֣אמ ֙םידוהיה ם֤הב וחָ֨נ־רׁש א

לב֖אמו הָ֔חמׂש ל ֙ןֹוגימ ם֤הל ך֨פהֶנ ֩רׁש א

הָ֔חמׂש ו ה֣ת מ ֙ימי ם֗תֹוא תֹוׂ֣שעַֽל בֹו֑ט םֹו֣יל

׃םיִֽנֹיבאָֽל תֹו֖נתמו וה֔ערל ׁשי֣א ֙תֹונמ ַחֹ֤לׁש מו

תֹוׂ֑שעַֽל ולֵ֖חה־רׁש א ת֥א םי֔דוהיה ֙לבִקו גכ

ן֨מה ֩יכ דכ ׃ם ֶֽ הילא י֖כדרמ ב֥תכ־רׁש א ת֛או

בׁ֥שָח םי֔ דוהיה־לכ ֙ררצ י֗גגא ָֽ ה את֜דמה־ן ֶֽ ב

ל֔רֹוגה או֣ה ֙רופ ל֥פהו ם֑דבאל םי֖דוהיה־לע

ר֣מא ֒ ךלמה יֵ֣נפל ֘ האֹבבו הכ ׃ם ָֽ דבאלו ם֖מהל

בׁ֥שָח־ר א ה֛ער ָֽ ה ֹו֧תבׁשֲח ַֽ מ בוׁ֞שי רפּ֔ס ה־םע

ויָ֖נב־תאו ֹו֛תא ו֥לתו ֹוׁ֑שאֹר־לע םי֖דוהיה־לע

֙םירופ הל֤אה םי֨מיל ֩ וארָֽק ן֡כ־לע וכ ׃ץ ֵֽ עה־לע תר֣גא ָֽ ה י֖רבד־לכ־לע ן֕כ־לע רו֔פה םׁ֣ש־ל ע ׃ם ֶֽ הילא עי֖גה ה֥מו הכ֔כ־לע ו֣אר־ה ָֽ מו תאֹ֑זה

ם֜ערז־לעו | ם֨הילע | ֩םידוהיה ו֣לבִקו ו֣מיִק זכ תֹו֣יה ִֽ ל רֹו֔בע ַֽ י אֹ֣לו ֙םהילע םי֤ולִנה־לכ ל֨עו םָ֑נמזכו ם֖בתככ הל֔אה ֙םימיה יֵ֤נׁש ת֣ א םיׂ֗ש ע םי֨רכזִנ הלא֠ה םי֣מיהו חכ ׃הָֽנ ו הָ֖נׁש־ל כב הָ֔חפׁש מו ֙הָחפׁש מ רֹו֗דו רֹו֣ד־לכב םיׂ֜ש עַֽנו הל֗אה םי֣רופה

killed seventy-five thousand of their foes, but took none of the spoils. 17 On the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and they rested on the fourteenth day and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing. 18 And the Jews of Shushan gathered on the thirteenth and fourteenth [of Adar], and rested on the fifteenth and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing. 19 Thus the prazi Jews, those who live in unwalled cities, make the fourteenth day of the month of Adar a holiday, a day of feasting, rejoicing and sending portions of food one to another. 20 Now Mordechai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews living throughout the provinces of King Achashverosh, near and far 21 [instructing them] to obligate themselves to celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar, 22 like the days upon which the Jews were relieved of their enemies, and the month which had been transformed for them from one of sorrow to joy, from mourning to festivity to make them days of feasting, rejoicing, sending food portions one to another and giving gifts to the poor. 23 And the Jews accepted [as an obligation] that which they had begun to observe, and that which Mordechai had written to them. 24 For Haman, son of Hamdata, the Agagite, persecutor of all the Jews, plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and he cast a pur, which is a lot, to shatter them and destroy them. 25 But when she came before the king, [the king] said and ordered letters to be written to the effect that [Haman’s] evil plot against the Jews be returned upon his own head, and he and his sons were hanged upon the gallows. 26 For this did they call these days “Purim,” after the pur, because of all of the events of this epistle, [which explains] what happened to them and why they saw fit to [establish the holiday]. 27 The Jews established and accepted upon themselves, and upon their descendants, and upon all who might convert to their faith, to annually celebrate these two days in the manner described [here], on their proper dates never to be abolished. 28 And these days are commemorated and celebrated in every generation, by every family, in every province and every city. And these days of Purim will never pass from among the Jews nor shall their memory depart from their descendants.

Scroll of Esther

Mordechai was the soul of Purim, and Esther the hands and feet. Mordechai naturally envisioned Purim as a spiritual day like Shabbat. Esther saw it as a day to celebrate the hand of G-d within the physical reality. For Mordechai, recalling the miracle is enough. In contrast, Esther needed the physical form of a tangible written scroll. In the end, Esther prevailed and the Scroll of “Esther” was written and included in the canon of Jewish Scripture for all time. THE

Unlimited Joy

Purim is unique in its victory and celebration. While other Jewish holidays confirm G-d’s reasonable conscious love for us, Purim celebrates G-d’s irrational and unconditional love.

That’s why other Jewish holidays require joy within reason, while Purim requires unlimited joy.

THE REBBE

This verse is read aloud by the congregation followed by the reader:

ףו֥סי־אֹל ם֖רכזו םי֔דוהיה ךֹו֣תמ ֙ ורבע ַֽ י אֹ֤ל

־תב ה֧כלמה ר֨תסא ב ֹּ תכת֠ו טכ ׃ם ָֽ ערזמ

ם֗יַקל ףֶקֹּ֑ת־לכ־תא י֖דוהיה י֥כדרמו ליַ֛חיבא

ח֨לׁש יו ל ׃תיִֽנ ה תאֹ֖זה םי֛רפה תר֧גא ת֣א

םי֤רׂש עו עבׁ֨ש־ל א םי֗דוהיה־לכ־לא םי֜רפס

םֹו֖ל י֥ רבד ׁשֹו֑רוׁשַח א תו֖כלמ הָ֔נידמ ֙האמו הל֜אה םי֨רפה ֩ימי־תא ם֡יַקל אל ׃ת ֶֽ מא ֶֽ ו

֙ידוהיה י֤כדרמ ם֜הילע ם֨יִק ֩ר א ַֽ כ ם֗היֵנמזב

ם֖ ׁש פַנ־לע ו֥מיִק ר֛ ׁש א ַֽ כו ה֔כלמה ר֣תסאו

ר֣מא ַֽ מו בל ׃ם ָֽ תָקעַֽזו תֹו֖מֹוצה י֥רבד ם֑ערז־לעו

׃רפ ֵֽ ּס ב ב֖תכִנו הל֑אה םי֖רפה י֥רבד ם֕יִק ר֔תסא

י

Purim is Established 29 Queen Esther, daughter of Avichayil, and Mordechai the Jew, wrote about the enormity of all [the miracles], to establish [the holiday] with this second Purim epistle.

30 And he sent letters to all the Jews, to the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of Achashveirosh’s kingdom, words of peace and truth, 31 [instructing them] to observe these days of Purim on their proper dates, in the manner established for them by Mordechai the Jew and Queen Esther, just as they had accepted upon themselves and upon their descendants the observance of the fasts and their lamentations.

32 And the behest of Esther confirmed the observances of these Purim days, and [the story] was included in Scripture.

קרפ Chapter 10

The events are included in the records of Persia and Media, and Mordechai is a wildly popular viceroy.

ץר֖אה־לע ס֛מ | ׁשֹ֧רוׁשַח א ךל֨מה ֩ םׂש יו א

ֹ֙ופְקת הׂ֤ש ע ַֽ מ־לכו ב ׃ם ָֽ יה י֥יאו

ֹו֖לדג ר֥ א י֔כדרמ ת֣לדג ֙תׁש ר ָֽ פו ֹו֔תרו֣בגו

י֣רבד ֙רפ֨ס־לע םי֗בותכ ם֣ה־אֹולה ךל֑מה

׃ס ָֽ רפו י֥דמ י֖כלמל םי֔מיה

ךל֣מל ֙הֶנׁש מ י֗דוהיה י֣כדרמ | י֣כ ג

יו֖צרו םי֔דוהיל ֙לֹודגו

׃ֹוערז־לכל םֹו֖לׁש

Mordechai Becomes Viceroy 1 King Achashverosh levied a tax upon the mainland and the islands of the sea. 2 And the entire history of his power and strength, and the account of Mordechai’s greatness, whom the king had promoted, are recorded in the Book of Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia.

3 For Mordechai the Jew was second to King Achashverosh, a leader to the Jews, and loved by his many brethren. He sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace for all their descendants.

תוכרב

BLESSING FOLLOWING

READING THE MEGILLA

After reading the Megilla: The following blessing is recited after the Megilla reading if a quorum of ten is present.

,םלֹועה ךל ֶֽ מ וניֵֽקֹלא ,'ה התא ךורב

תא ןדהו ,ונ ֵֽ ביר תא ברה

ערפִנהו ,ונ ֵֽ תמְקִנ תא םֵקֹונהו ,ונֵֽניד

לכל לומג םל מהו ,וני ֵֽ רצמ ונ ָֽ ל

ערפִנה ,'ה התא ךורב .ונ ֵֽ פַנ יביֹוא

לאה ,םהירצ לכמ לארׂש י ֹומעל :עיׁשֹו מה

All continue:

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who wages our battles, defends our rights, avenges the wrong done to us, punishes our oppressors in our behalf, and brings retribution upon all our mortal enemies. Blessed are You Lord, Who exacts payment in behalf of His people Israel from all their oppressors; God Who delivers.

In Song of Songs, the Jewish nation is compared to a rose. Shoshanah (rose) is a reference to Shushan, recalling the verse “the city of Shushan celebrated and rejoiced” (Esther 8:15). It is a custom to recite the Shoshanat Yaakov hymn after the Megilla reading. The words are also used as a basis for traditional Purim songs.

,הָח ֵֽ מׂש ו הלהצ בקעי תַנׁשֹוׁש

תל ֵֽ כת דַח ַֽ י םתֹוארב

,חצֶֽנל תייה םתעוׁשת .יכדרמ

עידֹוהל ,רֹודו רֹוד לכב םתוְקתו

ומלכי אֹלו וׁשֹבי אֹל ךי ֶֽ וק לכ

רורא .ךב םיסֹוחה לכ חצֶֽנל

ךורב ,ידבאל ׁשֵקב ר א ןמה

ׁשר ֶֽ ז הרורא ,ידוהיה יכדרמ

רתסא הכורב ,ידיִחפמ ת ֵֽ א ,םיע רה לכ םירורא ,ידעב

םגו ,םיִקידצה לכ םיכורב :בֹוטל רוכז הָנֹוברַח

Transliteration:

The rose of Jacob thrilled with joy and exulted when they beheld Mordechai garbed in royal blue.

You have always been their salvation, their hope in every generation, to make known that all who place their hope in You shall not be put to shame, nor shall all those who trust in You be disgraced forever.

Cursed be Haman who sought to destroy me; blessed be Mordechai the Jew. Cursed be Zeresh the wife of [Haman] who terrified me; blessed be Esther who [interceded] on my behalf. Cursed be all the wicked; blessed be all the righteous; and may Charvonah also be remembered favorably.

Shoshanat Yaakov, tzahala v’samecha birotam yachad tchelet Mordechai.

T’shuatam hayita lanetzach vetikvatam b’chol dor vador, lehodia shekol kovecha lo yevoshu v’lo yikalmu lanetzach kol hachosim bach.

Arur Haman asher bikesh l’abdi, baruch Mordechai haYehudi. Arura Zeresh, eshet mafchidi, beruchah Eshter ba’adi. Arurim kol hareshaim, beruchim kol hatzadikim. Vegam Charvonah zachur latov.

During Maariv, continue with “Ve’atah Kadosh.” On Saturday night, continue with “Ve’hi Noam.” During Shacharit, continue with “Ashrei”

teachings of the LUBAVITCHER REBBE

Today, the wisdom of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994), fills over 300 volumes, and his words continue to reveal the hidden Divinity all around us.

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Hebrew text, translation and instructions are copyright by Kehot Publication Society

Artwork © Yehuda Lang

Produced by Chabad Magazine

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Edited by Rabbi Shmuel Marcus

Art Direction

Zalman Friedman

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ABOUT THE ARTIST

Yehuda Lang is a contemporary artist who fuses bright colors and chasidic ideas to create one-of-kind images. You can view his full collection online at YehudaLang.com