Purim

Purim is a Jewish festival commemorating the Jews’ deliverance from Haman’s plot in the Book of Esther. It is marked by public reading of the scroll, gifts of food, charity, and festive meals.

Book of Esther: A biblical book recounting how Esther and Mordecai thwarted Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews of Persia. Purim commemorates the deliverance narrated in this book.
Mishloach manot: The Purim practice of sending portions of food to another person. Food gifts make celebration a shared social obligation.
Persian Empire: A series of ancient Iranian dynasties that ruled a vast empire across western and central Asia. The Book of Esther places its events in a Persian royal court.
Hiddenness of God: A theological theme in which divine action is understood as concealed rather than openly miraculous. The Book of Esther never names God, inviting interpretations of concealed providence.
Esther: A Jewish queen of Persia who intervenes to prevent Haman’s planned destruction of the Jews. Her appeal to the king turns the story toward deliverance.
Matanot la’evyonim: The Purim obligation to give gifts or charity to people in need. The festival directs its joy toward those who need support.
Ahasuerus: The name used in the Book of Esther for the Persian king who marries Esther. His court is the setting where the decree and its reversal unfold.
Role reversal: A narrative pattern in which power or fortune shifts, placing the formerly dominant and vulnerable in reversed positions. Purim’s story repeatedly overturns who holds danger and power.
Mordecai: A Jewish figure in the Book of Esther who raises Esther and helps expose Haman’s plot. His refusal to bow to Haman helps set the story’s conflict in motion.
Ta’anit Esther: A minor Jewish fast observed before Purim, commemorating the fast associated with Esther’s appeal. It precedes the festival and recalls the story’s moment of danger.

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