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Megillat Esther: An Introduction
Insights To The Megilla
Audio Megilla ReadingDo You Believe In Miracles?
Faith & Commitment
The Hidden Nature Of G-d Jewish Unity
Women Heroines: Esther & Purim
Jews & Antisemitism Behind The Mask: Insights Into Purim
The Book of Esther, popularly called the Megilla, recounts one of the most beloved of all Biblical Stories. Whether you see in it a tale of Divine Justice in the concealing cloak of "Fate," a juicy drama, wild satire, or all of the above --- there's something to appeal to everyone.
Megillat Esther is the basis for the Purim holiday, and it's the only Jewish holiday that is based on a Biblical book. It's also the only book in the Bible that doesn't mention the name of God.
Megillat Esther is full of unexpected surprises and deep truths about human existence. For deep truths, check out our Insights to the Megilla. You may want to glance at the Overview.
See the Megilla Reading to learn more about the practise of this mitzva (commandment) today.
To hear the Megilla, take a listen to the Megilla reading in Real Audio, produced by Yeshivat Ohr Somayach!
The Persian King Achashverosh (Ahasuerus), throws a huge party to celebrate the third year of his reign. When the drunken king orders the queen to parade in front of his guests, she refuses , and he deposes her. During a contest to find a replacement queen from all the eligible Persian maidens, Achashverosh chooses the Jewish orphan, Esther, as his new queen.
When the new prime minister Haman, does not receive his homage from Esther's adoptive father Mordechai, he determines to annhilate Mordechai's people, the Jews. Haman offers the king a fortune for permission to have them all killed, and the king accepts.
The Jewish people go into mourning, and Mordechai tells Esther to intercede with the king. Through a complex turn of events, Haman and his family are destroyed, Mordechai is made the new Prime Minister, and the Jews are allowed to defend themselves. They kill many thousands of their enemies and the holiday of Purim is proclaimed.
