The Spiritual Understanding of the Story of Esther

“And this (sounding the alarm) is from along the paths of repentance. At a time when tragedies occur and they sound an alarm by blowing the shofar (ram’s horn), all then know that because of their evil deeds, the suffering came . . . and this is to cause them to remove the suffering from upon them (thru repentance). However, if they do not sound an alarm and they do not herald the suffering, but they say this is a natural event, an occurrence in the course of the world, and this suffering just happened, this attitude is from the path of brazenness and causes them to cling to their evil ways, and additional tragedies will occur. . . .”(Hilchos Ta'anios 1:2-3)

On January 25, 2012 Egyptian cleric Safwat Higazi rocked viewers of Al-Nas TV with a mind-boggling revelation: “Today, I would like to talk to you about the Starbucks … found in Mecca…well as in Cairo. Starbucks is to be found everywhere, with this logo… The girl in the Starbucks logo is Queen Esther. Do you know who Queen Esther was and what the crown on her head means? This is the crown of the Persian kingdom. This queen is the queen of the Jews…We want Starbucks to be shut down throughout the Arab and Islamic world…It is inconceivable that in Mecca and Medina there will be a picture of Queen Esther…

As you can see, in the Muslim World there is extreme hate for Israel. Still today, just as in the Days of Haman Iran or Persia is developing ...capabilities to destroy Israel. It's important to bear in mind, however, that Iran's nuclear program was not destroyed by the Hadassah (Esther’s real Hebrew name) Virus, but merely delayed .... Today, Iranians have re-started Haman's program, and other states in the region are also planning to go nuclear. That's why the diabolically clever Mossad placed Queen Esther's picture on Starbucks coffee-houses throughout the Middle East. The threat to any latte-loving Iranian or Arab nuclear researcher is all-too-obvious: "Keep this up, sucker, and what happened to Haman will happen to you." Any questions?" (Joseph Shattan is the author of “Architects of Victory: Six Heroes of the Cold War.”)

We are commanded to read the Story of Esther every Purim. The obligation to read the Story of Esther is not just the literary objective of knowing the story, but requires us to understand the message in the story, but what message? The word  Megilla has two meanings and the word Esther has two meanings. Megilla traditionally means a “scroll”. The second comes from its root word gä·lä' meaning of the word is “to expose.”  The word אֶסְתֵּר Esther is traditionally interpreted to mean a women's name meaning “a star” . The second meaning of the word is “concealment.”  So, the Story of Esther dares us to expose the true meaning of this mysterious message.

So, the Story of Esther dares us to expose the true meaning of this mysterious message.

Some think it is not for all the House of Israel, just for the Jews. However, I am here to say that as Judah goes so goes the whole of Israel.

“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor a Torah Giver from between his feet,until Shiloh (Prince of Peace)

comes and to Him shall the gathering of the people be.” (Genesis 49:10)

“What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?  Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of Yahweh. What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify Yahweh’s Faith? Not at all! Let Yahweh be true, and every human being a liar.” (Romans 3:1-4)

“You …worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.” (John 4:22)

Some doubt the book of Esther because there is no mention of Yahweh. In this small scroll of 167 verses there is no mention of Yahweh although Achashverosh is mentioned by name 29 times and his kingdom is mentioned 26 times.

“…Yahweh appeared at the Tabernacle in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the Tabernacle.  And Yahweh said to Moses: ‘You are going to rest with your fathers, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I made with them. On that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide My face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and difficulties will come upon them, and on that day they will ask, “Have not these disasters come upon us because our Elohim is not with us?” And I will certainly hide My face on that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods.’” (Deuteronomy 31:15-18)

“Seek Yahweh while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”(Isaiah 55:6)

The Judgment was carried out. Yet, though He was hidden from them He was still working for them. Though the Scroll of Esther reveals how “the hand of Yahweh (was) working (for Israel) in the land of the living” (Psalms 27:13) He is hidden from them by name.

Yahweh’s name  יְהוָה  is hidden but can be found acrostically throughout the scroll of Esther:

הִיא וְכָל-הַנָּשִׁים, יִתְּנוּ

“Then when the king's edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.” (Esther 1:20)

Now if we look at the phrase “all the wives will give” and reverse the order of the words in the Hebrew we find that the first letter of each word spells out YHWH - Yahweh. It is reversed because Yahweh is over ruling and reversing the wisdom of man. Whereas it was man’s intention that this decree causes women to do the will of men, Yahweh would ultimately use it to have the King do the will of Esther.

יָבוֹא הַמֶּלֶךְ וְהָמָן הַיּוֹם

“‘If it pleases the king,’ replied Esther, ‘let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.’” (Esther 5:4)

Now if we look at the phrase “let the king and Haman come this day” in the Hebrew we find that first letter of each word spells YHWH - Yahweh going forward because Yahweh’s hand was upon this feast that He might defeat Haman.

זֶה, אֵינֶנּוּ שֹׁוֶה לִי

“But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate.” (Esther 5:13)

If we look at the phrase “But all this gives me no satisfaction” in the Hebrew we see that the last letter of each word spells YHWH – Yahweh  backwards. The final letters are used because this is the beginning of the end of Haman’s plot. The Name is backwards because Yahweh is turning back Haman’s plot.

כִּי-כָלְתָה אֵלָיו הָרָעָה

“The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.” (Esther 7:7)

If we look at the phrase “had already decided his fate” in the Hebrew we will see that the last letter of each word spells YHWH – Yahweh forward. The final letters because Haman’s plot had come to an end, and forwards because Yahweh was moving the plans of Ester and Mordechai forward.

הוּא זֶה וְאֵי-זֶה         

“Ahasuerus …said unto Esther the queen: 'Who is he, and where is he…” (Esther 7:5)

If we look at the Hebrew “is he, and where is he” we see that the Masoretic Text makes the final letters of each word larger, spelling the phrase אֶהְיֶה “EHYHE” which is the same backwards and forwards “I Am” one of the titles of Yahweh (Exodus 2:23-25; 3:14-15). The Name is made from the final letters so that Yahweh shows that unlike Haman, Yahweh does have the authority and power to reverse the decrees of a King.

“Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face, O Elohim of Jacob.” (Psalm 24:6)

These occurrences of the Name of YHWH – Yahweh – hidden in the text show that Yahweh was behind the events and guiding the plans of Esther and Mordechai forward.

The most important aspect of the story of Esther is not the holocaust diverted but rather how judgment for sin can be turned around for our good through “teshuvah” (repentance) done with love (as opposed to fear).  In fact this story challenges the reality whether true teshuvah can be done through fear at all. 

“And we know that in all things Yahweh works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8 & Luke 3:8)

Through the events we see another principle: how true teshuvah brings about “nahafochu,” the reversal of events.  And the most striking example of nahafochu is when Haman rushes to the palace for permission to execute Mordechai, but is tricked by his own lust into deciding a proper reward for himself seeing it only to be manifested on Mordechai and seeing rather his own  execution.

The story of Esther as it relates to Israel begins in chapter 1 verse 5: “…the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king's palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest, who were in the citadel of Shushan.”  The ability to temper one's self and not indulge is extremely difficult. The Jews sinned by enjoying the banquet of אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ Achashverosh, their occupier. Here in verse 5 we see the new ruler reaching out to all its inhabitants equally to embrace them.  According to the Midrash, as soon as the partying was opened up to “all the people” the Jews couldn’t wait to jump aboard. Equality was being offered to these stateless refugees. It is said the Jews participated in the banquets with an enthusiasm unequaled by any others.  Even more troubling, the Mishna says, like the rulers before him, Achashverosh brought out the utensils from the Holy Temple, still our ancestors just accepted this as respect and continue to participate with pride in their newly found patriotism. They were giving up their dream of a future Zion for a present Shushan. 

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the House of Yahweh: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the full message of Yahweh? (1 Peter 4:17)”

Now, Purim can easily be understood by clearly considering the assimilationist tendencies we have. We get into trouble when as a Believer we still want to be like everybody else, “walk(ing) according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 2:2)  Every misfortune stems from our own misbehavior.

Judgment came in the person of Haman ibn Hammedata,

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how haSatan works.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9)

Haman was a self-made man. And like most deceivers and opportunists, Haman was true to form: his family tree was no more Persian (he was an Amelekite) than Adolf Hitler was German (he was an Austrian) and Yasser Arafat was Palestinian (he was Egyptian). He was the last of the House of Agag, the last King of the Amelekites. He was destined for greatness or should we say infamy. "You know," he said, I'm a very wealthy man with a large family who's become a great success in my field" (Esther 5:11- 12): “After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman ibn Hammedata, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles… Then Haman said to King Xerxes, ‘There is a certain people dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom whose customs are different from those of all other people and who do not obey the king's laws; it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them.  If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will put ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury for the men who carry out this business.’  So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman ibn Hammedata, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. ‘Keep the money,’ the king said to Haman, ‘and do with the people as you please.’” (Esther 3:1, 8-11)

Yet, Yahweh always prepares a salvation for whatever catastrophe awaits His people. Yahweh's supervision of His people is ready for all contingencies. Salvation came in the form of a man named Mordechai and his uncle’s daughter named Hadassah, who was also known as Esther.

“Now there was in the citadel of Shushan a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named מָרְדֳּכַי Mordechai ben Yair, the son of Shimei…(Esther 2:5)”

                The name Mordechai in Aramaic consists of two words: "mera dachya," a spice that diffuses fragrance only after it has been processed, the first of the fragrant oil spices used for anointment, suggesting that he had the ability to “arouse” his people like a stimulating incense.

                “Mordecai the Jew … was great among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, spoke peace to all his descendants and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” (Esther 10:3)

                The Midrash says "Mordechai, in his generation, was as important as Moses was to his." (Esther Rabbah 6:2)

“Mordechai ben Yair (was) the son of Shimei.”  Who was שִׁמְעִי Shimei?  The answer can be found in 2 Samuel 16:5-13: “As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Sha’ul's family came out from there. His name was Shimei ben Gera, and he cursed as he came out. He pelted David and all the king's officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David's right and left. As he cursed, Shimei said, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! Yahweh has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Sha’ul, in whose place you have reigned. Yahweh has handed the Kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!"

Then Abishai ben ZeruYahu said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my sovereign the king? Let me go over and cut off his head."

But the king said, "What do you and I have in common, you sons of ZeruYahu? If he is cursing because Yahweh said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?' "

David then said to Abishai and all his officials, "My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for Yahweh has told him to. It may be that Yahweh will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today."

So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt.”

                It was true King David was “a man of blood” that is why he could not build the Temple but he was not a man of pride.  If he were he would have let Abishai ben ZeruYahu cut off his head.  Instead he looked beyond the carnal into the spiritual, “may be that Yahweh will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today."  If King David had killed Shimei there would have never been Yair, and in turn no Mordechai to inspire his cousin, Esther to rescue her people.

                And in the opposite vain, wicked Haman ibn Hammedata was an Agagite, a descendant of Agag.  Who was Agag?  Agag was the Amaleki king.

“Remember what Amalek did to you as you were leaving Egypt. He happened upon you, and struck the weakest people trailing behind, when you were exhausted. And he did not fear Yahweh. (Deuteronomy 25:17-18)”

The Sign of Amelek was found at the Tash-Khovli Palace, Khiva of the Media Empire it was the ancient swastika.

“Yahweh said to Moses: Write this remembrance in the book... that I will surely erase the memory of Amalek from under the heavens. (Exodus 17:14)”

“Shemmuel also said to Sha’ul, "Yahweh sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of Yahweh. Thus says Yahweh Tzavout: "I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey." (1 Samuel 15:1-3)

King Sha’ul did not do what Yahweh said, “…Sha’ul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt. He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Sha’ul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. (1 Samuel 15:7-9)”

Had King Sha’ul killed all in the Royal House of Agag there would have never been a Hammedatha and thus no Haman to have to save the Jews from.

“Now the word of Yahweh came to Shemmuel, saying, ‘I greatly regret that I have set up Sha’ul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.’” (1 Samuel 15:10, 11)

“So Shemmuel said to him, ‘Yahweh has torn the Kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.’” (1 Samuel 15:28,29)

Yahweh understood the severity of King Sha’ul’s actions.  He knew what chain of events had been set into motion. There had to be nahafochu, a reversal.

The mechanism behind the 'reversal' is teshuva, repentance.

“On the seventh day (on the Sabbath), when King Xerxes was in high spirits (drunk) from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him-Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carcas- to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. But when the attendants delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.” (Esther 1:10-12)

Who was מַּלְכָּה וַשְׁתִּי Queen Vashti? Vashti was born to Babylonian royalty. Her grandfather was Nebuchadnezzar, who had destroyed Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and driven the Jews into exile. Her father was Belshazzar, the last in a line of great Babylonian kings whose dramatic death is described in the Book of Daniel. Achashverosh's only legitimate claim to the throne stemmed from his wife, and Achashverosh and Vashti both knew that well.

The Talmud (in Megillah 12) tells us Queen Vashti would have young Jewish girls abducted, force them to undress and coerce them into working for her on Shabbat.

It is because she insulted the Sabbath that Yahweh caused the King to demand she appear in public nude. (Megillah 12b)

Why did Queen Vashti hate the Jewish women so, a hatred that caused the judgment of tzaraat?  Jewish women represented a threat to Vashti because they were, in the most profound sense of the word, pure. By observing Sabbath, they demonstrated that there is a ruler who is beyond the reach of any monarch. By maintaining their modesty they proved that they define themselves internally rather than superficially. They were pure.  For this she wanted to break and soil them. By doing so she sealed her own doom.

It is our command to stay pure, “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.” (1 Timothy 5:22) We must keep ourselves separate, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Messiah with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of Elohim with idols? for ye are the temple of the living Elohim; as Elohim hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith Yahweh, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

“Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times and were closest to the king—Carshena, Shethar, Admata, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.” (Esther 1:13-14)

Why did Achashverosh need to send the matter to a court at all - after all, he was the king? The law under Achashverosh was that any legal matter directly concerning the king could not be decided by the king; it had to be decided by a court of law.

“‘According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?’ he asked. ‘She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.’

Then Memucan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, "Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, 'King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.' This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen's conduct will respond to all the king's nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.

‘Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she.  Then when the king's edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.’

The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memucan proposed. He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, proclaiming in each people's tongue that every man should be ruler over his own household.” (Esther 1:15-22)

The Talmud (in Midrash Rabba) provides us with the final piece of information that lets us put the puzzle pieces together. It reveals to us the words that Queen Vashti used when she refused King Achashverosh. “You were my father's stable boy. You had harlots parade in front of you. Are you going back to where you came from?” Achashverosh was not of royal blood. In fact, he was far from it. His initial connection to the royalty was his position as stable-keeper for Belshazzar, the son of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Due to political upheavals, he was able to maneuver into the position that allowed him to literally purchase the kingship.

Queen Vashti intent was not to build herself up or to preserve her life. She was aware of what she had become, but had neither the will nor the courage to change. Remember, only repentance brings reversal. She had followed a course that had typified her life. She wanted to cut him down one last time. All that was left of her life was only arrogance.  According to Persian law, there could be no other Queen while the previous Queen lived.  Queen Vashti had to be executed.

“Later when the anger of King Xerxes had subsided, he remembered Vashti…” (Esther 2:1)

As disrespectful as she was he still loved and missed her.  “Yahweh Elohim said, "It is not good for the man to be alone…” (Genesis 2:18)

“…the king's personal attendants proposed, ‘Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful girls into the harem at the citadel of Shushan. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. Then let the girl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.’ This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.” (Esther 2:2-4)

So a beauty contest was held and Mordechai put Hadassah in it.  We are told, “[Mordechai] had reared Hadassah, she is Esther.” (Esther 2:7) In Shushan, he raised his orphaned niece, Esther. Mordechai realized his niece was very special, and taught her and provided the environment for her to grow into a very righteous young woman.

Esther’s real name was Hadassah which stems from the Hebrew word הֲדַס “hadas,” a  myrtle. The leaves of the myrtle have a very sweet fragrance that can only be released when the leaves are bruised and crushed. Just like the hadas, which is only fragrant when it is bruised and crushed, so too was Hadassah's potential brought out to its fullest by the biggest trial of her life.

Esther couldn’t have been more different from Vashti. In fact Esther is different from most people. For instance, on three separate occasions she was offered control of half of the civilized world (Esther 5:3,6 and 7:2)! -- and she never once mentioned it to anyone nor did she indulge the offer. She kept focused on her mission and the One Who brought her to “such a time as this.” “Contemplate three things and you'll never come to sin: know what's above you -- an eye that sees, an ear that hears; and that all your deeds are being inscribed in a book.” (Pirke Avot 2:1)

“This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features… Esther also was taken to the king's palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. The girl pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven maids selected from the king's palace and moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.

Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.

Before a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.  And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king's palace. In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.

When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Esther 2:7-17)”

Given the Hebrew name Hadassah at birth, she assumed her Persian name, Esther, for the sake of concealing her Jewish identity.

The name Esther alludes to the verse in Deuteronomy 32:18  wherein Yahweh states: "I will surely hide הַסְתֵּר אַסְתִּיר (haster astir) My face on that day."

Esther couldn’t have been more different from Vashti. In fact Esther is different from most people. For instance, on three separate occasions she was offered control of half of the civilized world (Esther 5:3,6 and 7:2)! -- and she never once mentioned it to anyone nor did she indulge the offer. She kept focused on her mission and the One Who brought her to “such a time as this.”

“When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate. But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up. During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigtan and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But the plot became known to Mordechai and hetold Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were hanged on a gallows. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.” (Esther 2:19-23)

There has been some controversy as to whether the Book of Esther should be considered Scripture since it never mentions Yahweh. The Talmud asks the same question (Megillah 7a): “‘Was the Scroll of Esther written with Divine revelation?’ One answer given to this question is that it must have been composed with Divine revelation, as the Scroll states ‘And the plot (to assassinate Achashverosh) became known to Mordechai.’ - How would Mordechai have known if not by Divine revelation?”

“After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman ibn Hammedata, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.

Then the royal officials at the king's gate asked Mordecai, ‘Why do you disobey the king's command?’ Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.” (Esther 3:1-6)

Haman had an idolatrous image embroidered on his garments, so that those who bowed to him at command of the king bowed also to the image (Esther Rabba vii.) a (right-handed, like the Nazis) Swastika! The swastika is actually an ancient symbol of luck and prosperity traceable to the Indo-Aryans.

            In an Aryan article I found this quote: “What was the true reason for the Jewish declaration of war? The symbol of the Aryan world of their gods, the Swastika, was the reason! Because Hitler used the most holy thing of the Aryan culture and religion, the emblem under which Jesus preached, which is very much feared by Yahweh, and which Hitler resurrected to life, fit was for that reason that  war was declared on him and his people. In the declaration of war it says verbatim:  ‘The appearance of the Swastika as a symbol for a new Germany called the lion of Judah, the old fighting symbol of the Jews to alert.’  (Declaration of War JUDEA DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY, Daily Express, London, 24. March 1933, p.1).” (“Savonarola oder Kyros? A commentary on Thomas Kielinger’s article,” received on 15 April 2007 from fufor_nachrichten@gmx.de translated by Dagmar Brenne)

Greek Historian, Strabo claimed that Zela, in Turkey was founded by Semiramis, the  legendary wife of Nimrod & mother of Tammuz. He also said "Haman" and "Hamedata" were being worshipped there as martyrs of the Babylonian Faith as Omanus and Anadatus. (“The Book of Esther in the Light of History,” By Jacob Hoschander, 1923)

“Then Haman said to King Xerxes, "There is a certain people dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom whose customs are different from those of all other people and who do not obey the king's laws; it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them.” (Esther 3: 8)

Haman described the nation of Israel to Achashverosh as a “people scattered abroad and dispersed amongst the people.” Haman was pointing out that the Jews was vulnerable because they were under judgment – they were cursed. Now was the time to get rid of them. “…if you do not obey Yahweh your Elohim and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you… Yahweh will drive you and the king you set over you to a nation unknown to you or your fathers. There you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone. You will become a thing of horror and an object of scorn and ridicule to all the nations where Yahweh will drive you.” (Deuteronomy 28:15, 36, 37)

“Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.  In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, they cast the pur (that is, the lot) in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.” (Esther 3:6, 7)

Why did Haman cast lots? Why didn’t he simply figure out what the most convenient day or days on which to carry out this holocaust was and do it, quickly before anyone knew what hit them?

Amalek epitomizes the belief in chance. "Leaving it to chance" is a way of resolving issues. In Deuteronomy 25:18 we find this passage, "[Amalek] happened ("karcha") upon you..." What does this passage mean?  The Talmud explains the Hebrew word קָרְךָ "karcha" literally means “coincidence.” Amalek's entire philosophy is that there is no design or providence in the world. Everything is haphazard, dictated by chance, luck and fate, a roll of the dice.  Is it any wonder Haman the direct descendant of Amalek so easily put his trust in dice.

I have a Christian friend that came up to me and said, “I’m so lucky! Everything I put my hands to just comes up rosy. I’m very lucky!” I told him I didn’t believe in “luck.” Luck or Lukshmi is a Hindu goddess of Money & Fortune. It is said that if you acknowledge her name, that a special blessings called “luck” will be given by this so-called powerful Hindu goddess. “Yeah, that what I mean I’m blessed,” he corrected. He just didn’t get it. It seems Christians have no problem incorporating pagan ideas into their belief system.

“MOST of the Christian customs … are HEATHEN customs which have been absorbed or tolerated by the Church.” (The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics)

In Scripture is says: “But as for you who forsake Yahweh and forget My holy mountain (the Temple Mount), who make an altar to Fortune (גָּד “God” the Babylonian “god of luck”) and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny (מְנִי “men·ē'” the Babylonian “god of fate”), I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bow for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” (Isaiah 65:11-12)

He was Haman’s god.

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Messiah? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Messiah? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to Yahweh, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of Yahweh and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of Yahweh's table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke Yahweh to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? (1 Corinthians 10:16-22)”

פּוּר  Pur, related to the Akkadian word pūru is a “lot, piece, or dice used to denote a numerical value.”

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.” (Proverbs 16:33)

Amalek's power over the nation of Israel exists only when the nation of Israel itself fails to recognize Yahweh’s hand working in the Land of the Living. “I would have died, unless I had believed to see the hand of Yahweh working in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13) The Talmud (Rosh HaShana 29a) writes: “[It is written] and it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand that Israel prevailed (in the battle against Amalek).' Now, did the hands of Moses wage war or crush the enemy? No; rather, the text signifies that so long as Israel turned their thoughts above and subjected their hearts to their Heavenly Father they prevailed, but otherwise they fell.” During the battle against Amalek, when the nation of Israel saw the hands of Moses outstretched towards the heavens, they realized that it was Yahweh who was going give them the victory. Amalek attacked the weak stragglers, hitting the nation at its most vulnerable point. Chance should have ordained that the nation of Israel was doomed. However, when the nation remembered Yahweh and prayed to Him, when they recognized His providence, Yahweh gave them the strength to overcome. And overcome they did.

                “Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and little children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.” (Esther 3:13)

                On the 13th day of Nissan, Haman had the decree written up, and it was sent out to every province in its respective language. The decree said that all Jews, young, old, children and women, were to be exterminated on one day, the 13th of Adar, and their possessions were to be plundered. The edict was sent out immediately.

                The dispatches state Haman's plan: ". . . to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews…and to plunder their goods." Why the redundant number of synonyms to describe the destruction of the Jews? The Vilna Gaon explains that each expression of destruction related to a different aspect of their existence. Haman wanted to “destroy” the spiritual existence of the Jews, by destroying all mention of the Torah, its commandments, and their observance. Haman wanted to “kill” the Jewish spirit, the spark that exists in the heart of every Israelite soul, binding the nation together culturally. Haman wanted to physically “annihilate” the Israelite nation. Not only did he want to kill them; he wanted to destroy every last shred of their existence by burning the corpses, hence a literal annihilation. Lastly, Haman wanted to plunder the goods of the Jews, so that no physical remnant would remain of the Israelite people.

                By utterly destroying Israel, he would prove the Torah was not absolute and the Talmud says if the Torah, the source of universal truths, was eliminated, then the world would revert to emptiness. That is because humanity simply cannot survive without clear moral direction. Morality holds civilizations together; its absence leads to chaos.

                The Christian minister, Martin Luther, had a plan to get rid of the Jews: “What shall we Christians do with this rejected and condemned people, the Jews? Since they live among us, we dare not tolerate their conduct, now that we are aware of their lying and reviling and blaspheming. If we do, we become sharers in their lies, cursing and blasphemy. Thus we cannot extinguish the unquenchable fire of divine wrath, of which the prophets speak, nor can we convert the Jews. With prayer and the fear of God we must practice a sharp mercy to see whether we might save at least a few from the glowing flames. We dare not avenge ourselves. Vengeance a thousand times worse than we could wish them already has them by the throat. I shall give you my sincere advice:

Luther’s Final Solution:

                Nazi Germany was impregnated by the same demon that ruled the Amalekites. Adolph Hitler, Dr. Josef Mengele, Adolf Eichmann and the thousands of German and Italian priests, ministers, doctors, professors, farmers, teachers, barbers, receptionists, retailers, lawyers, mechanics, shop owners and secretaries who made soap, lamp shades, coat stuffing and ashes out of Jews were not sick! They thought of themselves as Christian.

                "My feelings as a Christian points me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter.  It points me to the man who once in loneliness, surrounded by a few followers, recognized these Jews for what they were and summoned men to fight against them and who, God’s truth!  was greatest not as a sufferer but as a fighter.  In boundless love as a Christian and as a man I read through the passage which tells us how the Lord at last rose in His might and seized the scourge to drive out of the Temple the brood of vipers and adders.  How terrific was His fight for the world against the Jewish poison.  To-day, after two thousand years, with deepest emotion I recognize more profoundly than ever before the fact that it was for this that He had to shed His blood upon the Cross.  As a Christian I have no duty to allow my self to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice…  And if there is anything which could demonstrate that we are acting rightly it is the distress that daily grows . For as a Christian I have also a duty to my own people."  –(Adolf Hitler, in a speech on 12 April 1922)

“The personification of the devil as the symbol of all evil assumes the living shape of the Jew... Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord."  - (Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf)

Hitler praised “Jesus” as an Aryan and savior to the German people. The fact that so many Nazis practiced the Christian faith should not surprise anyone, especially considering that Germany, at the time before and during Hitler's rise, represented the most Christianized country in the world.

“Germans must fight Jews, that organized body of world criminals against whom Christ, the greatest anti-Semite of all time, had fought… These were the people of whom Christ said, ‘Its father is the devil.’… [We] relentlessly fight the shady mixing of religion and Jewish party politics, and fight to keep religion pure, as did the Lord when he threw the hagglers and usurers out of the Temple.” (Julius Streicher)

There was a time when Germans had never killed a Jew.  Then there was the day they did. The line that should not have been crossed was crossed - the days that followed, 1938-1945, were just further steps into the abyss. Hitler led his nation from a civilized democratic Republic with all its warts to a corrupted and corrosive hell that killed tens of millions in war and murdered six million in cold blooded holocaust. Germans are not a unique people.  And what befell Germany in the 1930's can befall any nation at any time that embraces the spirit of Amelek.

“...our culture's emphasis on success and stardom in any field -- and the betrayal of ethics to attain them -- has a cumulative, corrosive effect on society, no matter how small the stage may be.” (Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald)

In reality, the Germans were just plain wicked. By saying their “Jesus” did away with the Torah and replaced Israel especially the Jew with the Church, they were abandoning morality, they were able to rationalize genocide as “noble and good.” It is not surprising that the Talmud (Megillah 6b) identifies "Germania" as the descendents of Amalek.

The Nazis infected the Arab world with the Amalek virus, and the same virus has now spread to much of the Muslim world. The spirit of Amalek infects the Arab world and that the spirit of Amalek infects Islam.  Amalek infects and has become Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda and Fatah and Hamas. The Arabs and Muslims who live jealous of Israel, who pray to a Jew-hating Allah, who furiously envy Israel: they are infected with the spirit of Amalek. Amalek hates America. Amalek is furiously jealous. Amalek attacked America and “the Jews” on 9/11. Amalek cannot be appeased. And now Amalek - as the Nazis did - threatens the world.

“Yahweh has sworn, Yahweh will be at war with Amalek in every generation (from generation to generation).” (Exodus 17:16)

                The Torah says: "Amalek battled Israel in (a place called) Refidim" (Exodus 17:8). The Midrash explains that the name "Refidim" can come from an acronym of Hebrew words meaning “they loosened their grip on Torah.” As long as the Jews were diligent in Torah study, Amalek could not beat them.

“Study to show thyself approved unto Yahweh, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth - Torah. (2 Timothy 2:15)”

            “Mind your wants, 'cause there's someone that wants your mind.” (George Clinton)

As the Talmud relates, “When the lot [cast by Haman] fell on the month of Adar, he greatly rejoiced, saying: ‘The lot has fallen for me upon the month of Moses’ death.’” This is what I’ve been saying all along. Moses might have given Israel the Torah, the document that so endears them to Yahweh, but that was then this is now. Moses is a human being. Moses, too, is part of the physical, rational reality--a reality transcended by the power of the “lot” I have accessed. My lots indicate that I have superseded Moses--superseded Israel’s merit in the eyes of Yahweh.  I have replaced Israel with Persia.  We have achieved at-one-ment!

“When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. (Esther 4:1)” Mordechai understood the danger Israel was in.  They were already under the judgment for assimilation.  He knew the excess of Persian living dulled their spiritual senses.  Now with this casting of lots he was afraid that Israel would buckle. 

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)”

Mordechai took his intercession all the way to the king’s gate. “…he went only as far as the king's gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. (Esther 4:2)” He would have taken it to the king’s door but that was not allowed.

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)”

                Mordechai prayers worked and when Israel heard of the plans of holocaust they repented.

“In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes. (Esther 4:3)”

In the Talmud it states: “Rabba bar Nahmeini (330 CE - nicknamed “uprooter of mountains”) said. . . they re-accepted [Torah] in the days of Achashverosh, for it is written, ‘the Jews confirmed and took upon them,’ (Esther 9:27) they confirmed what they had accepted long before." (Shabbot 88a)

“All the people answered together and said, ‘All that Yahweh has spoken we will do and hear.’ And Moses reported the words of the people to Yahweh.” (Exodus 19:8)

The biblical commentator Rashi explains that in the days of Purim, the nation of Israel re-accepted the Torah out of love of Yahweh for the miracle that He performed for the nation.

“When Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Shushan, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. (Esther 4:4-8)”

                Esther knew there was a problem.  Before she could do this she would first have to enter the King of all the Universe’s chambers and she was not worthy. 

                “Hathach went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, ‘All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.’” (Esther 4:9-11)”

She knows she has sinned by enjoying the King’s House and she is questioning her right to petition Yahweh or bring the redemption for a people she had disattatched from. “When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: ‘Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?’” (Esther 4:12-14)

The name Esther is related to the word הֶסְתֵּר"hester," meaning hidden. For nine years, until Haman's downfall, Esther guarded the secret of her ancestry. She never told anyone that she was a Jewess.

Mordechai knew if he could just touch Esther’s heart to bring teshuvah, the power of teshuva bestows on the repentant the merit to approach Yahweh with more confidence than ever before.

Mordechai had always been Esther’s Torah teacher. Everything she knew about Yahweh came from Mordechai. He had raised her like his own daughter. In the Talmud, the value of a righteous teacher is explained: “Rabi Eliezer fell sick, four elders went to visit him: R’ Tarfon, R’ Yehoshua, R’ Elazar ben Azariah, and R’ Akiva. Rabi Tarfon observed, ‘You are more valuable to Israel than rain; for rain is [precious] in this world, whereas you are [so] for this world and the next. Rabi Yehoshua observed, You are more valuable to Israel than the sun: the sun is but for this world, while my master is for this world and the next.” (Sanhedrin 101a)

A seed, he explains, cannot grow on its own. It needs nurturing to grow. “Then [Messiah YahShua] told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.’

… [The Messiah explained the lesson]: “When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:1-23)

Each individual has within him the seed, the kernel, from which great accomplishments can spring forth. It is the influence of their Teacher that unleashes the power of growth in the student. Just as a seed absorbs rain, and in essence absorbs the ability to grow from the rain, so too does the student react to the teachings of his Teacher. The Teacher imparts the power of growth into his students.

However, water alone cannot make a plant grow enough to produce fruit, you also need the sun. The sun’s rays are just as important as the rain. However, the sun also provides light. It enables man to see what is before him so that he does not get injured. A Teacher, through his teachings, enables his students to more clearly view what is correct in life. He enlightens his students so that they can properly assess doubts and then make proper choices. A Teacher, therefore, not only provides the ability to grow; he also provides the ability to thrive.

“A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.” (Matthew 10:24-25)

A person, through give and take, sharing ideas, and interacting with his chosen Teacher will come to see that the Teacher is in essence teaching him and enabling him to learn more and more. The importance of a Teacher, and the effect a Teacher has, is immeasurable.

Mordechai was the kind of Teacher that imparted to Esther everything she needed to enter the throne room on both planes of existence: “As above, so below!”

“Let us therefore come with confidence unto the throne of grace,  that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)”

As the Rambam says in Hilchot Teshuva (chapter 7, halacha 7): 'Last night this one was distant from the Elohim of Israel...,cried out and was not answered...Today, he is attached to the Divine Presence..., and his cries are responded to immediately.'

“‘Because he loves me,’ says Yahweh, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.’” (Psalm 91:14-16)

“Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Shushan, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’” (Esther 4:15, 16)

Esther told Mordechai she was going to fast for 3 days – 72 hours – corresponding to the 72 lettered ineffable name of Yahweh that was whispered by only the High Priest, only on Yom Kippur, only in a whisper, only three times and only in the holy of holies. Esther was asking for a special Kippur – covering – to accomplish Yahweh’s will and redeem the Jews in Persia.

We know that a person who fasts for three days will become weak. They will not look as attractive because of their weakened state. As King Achashverosh chose Esther for queen because of her beauty, why would she want to diminish the most valuable asset she possessed that could win over Achashverosh? The answer is that Esther understood how she managed to become queen. The Jewish nation would be forced to put full faith in Yahweh. They had to believe that Yahweh alone is their source of salvation, not Esther's looks.

“Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:20, 21)

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18)

Why would a beautiful young queen decide to do this, to take such an enormous risk in “lobbying” the King to stop the slaughter of her people. The Book of Esther in Scripture teaches us this moral lesson: there are times we must take a stand for the good against the more powerful Evil, even if it is at great cost or great risk. Every day, we are called to take the moral high ground, live what is right, not what is wrong, and when necessary “speak the truth with power” even if we personally must suffer for it. Many of our heroes, like Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer who stood up to Adolf Hitler calling him out for the holocaust from his pulpit (and being executed for it), knew that there are times when you just got to do what is right. “For such a time as this!”

“First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

 
Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
 
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
 
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.” (Rev. Friedrich Gustav Emil Martin Niemöller (1892 –1984) a German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor.

“The Church did not concern itself with politics at all at that time, and it shouldn't have anything do with them either…we didn't want to represent any political resistance per se, but we wanted to determine that [the Holocaust] was not right, and that it should not become right …that's why already in '33, when we created the minister emergency federation …the founding charter: If an offense is made against ministers and they are …ousted …because they are of Jewish lineage or something like that, then we can only say …No.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed by hanging at dawn on April 9, 1945, just two weeks before US soldiers liberated the camp he was in.)

Hangman  by Maurice Ogden

Into our town the Hangman came,
Smelling of gold and blood and flame.
And he paced our bricks with a diffident air,
And built his frame in the courthouse square.

"Hangman, who is he for whom you raised the gallows-tree?"

Then a twinkle grew in the buckshot eye,
And he gave us a riddle instead of reply:
"He who serves me best," said he,
"Shall earn the rope of the gallows-tree."

And he stepped down, and laid his hand
On a man who came from another land.
And we breathed again, for another's grief
At the Hangman's hand was our relief.

So we gave him way, and no one spoke,
Out of respect for his Hangman's cloak.

Then one cried "Murder!" and one cried "Shame!" And into our midst the Hangman came.

The third he took -- we had all heard tell --
Was a usurer, and an infidel.
"What," said the Hangman "have you to do with the gallows-bound, and he a Jew?"

"You tricked me. Hangman!," I shouted then, that your scaffold was built for other men... and I no henchman of yours," I cried, "You lied to me, Hangman. Foully lied!"

"And where are the others who might have stood side by your side in the common good?" "Dead," I whispered. And amiably "Murdered," the Hangman corrected me: "First the foreigner, then the Jew... I did no more than you let me do."

The Hangman noosed me, and no voice there cried "Stop!" for me in the empty square.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu gave US President Obama a copy of the biblical book of Esther, which tells of a Persian ruler in what is now Iran who ordered the execution of all the Jews in his kingdom — but the Jews prevailed in battle. As he gave the gift, the Prime Minister is reported to have told the president, “Even back then, they wanted to wipe us out.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu went on to say:

“My supreme responsibility as Prime Minister of Israel is to ensure that Israel remains the master of its fate… the international community should not allow Iran's relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons to succeed. [Iran] could do again what it has done before, it could pursue or exploit the talks as they've done in the past to deceive and delay so that they can continue to advance their nuclear program and get to the nuclear finish line by running up the clock, so to speak. I think the international community should not fall into this trap.

As for Israel, like any sovereign country, we reserve the right to defend ourselves against a country that calls and works for our destruction."

Now the role of Esther changes from a young winner of a beauty contest become Queen into a ba'alat teshuva (master of repentance), the repentant who discovers the way back to Yahweh in a way that brings her even closer than before. She is an instrument of redemption.

“On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Then the king asked, ‘What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.’

‘If it pleases the king,’ replied Esther, ‘let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.’… So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, ‘Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.’

Esther replied, ‘My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question.’

Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits.” (Esther 5:1-9)

After 3 days and 3 nights she is accepted.

“[YahShua] answered, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.’” (Matthew 12:39-41)

“After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us,  that we may live in his presence.” (Hosea 6:2)

“Let us then approach Yahweh’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

“This is the confidence we have in approaching Yahweh: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)

Esther, never quite sure of herself, wanted to be absolutely sure that she was in the perfect will of Yahweh. She therefore postponed any request of salvation from Achashverosh until the next day. Esther hoped that by then, she would receive clarity that what she was doing was on the right track, and that Yahweh was happy with her and her actions.

On the other hand, Haman was exceptionally pleased with himself, full of his own importance, but troubled because one individual had the temerity to refuse to bow down to him. “All of this does nothing for me,” reported Haman, “so long as Mordechai refuses to bow down to me.” All of Haman's riches, his position, and his wealth were not enough. Even to punish just Mordechai was not enough; he had to kill all the Jews. HaSatan was trying to destroy the last bit of Israel and stop the Redeemer from coming.

When Haman returned home with the news that Esther had invited him and only him to the feast with the king, he waxed eloquent with his family and friends about how great he was.

“His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, ‘Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy.’ This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built.” (Esther 5:14)

“I will yet take revenge on Mordechai! I will hang him on the gallows and shall yet feast my eyes on his lifeless body dangling in the air!” he must have said to Zeresh.

In the Catholic Church, the Rosary commonly consists of 5 decades, or sets of 10 beads for a total of 50 beads, for the recitation of the Hail Mary (Avi Maria), for the recitation of the Our Father (Paternoster, or Lord's Prayer). The Glory Be to the Father (Gloria Patri) is generally said after each decade. During the recitation of the prayers, meditation on the joyous, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries of the crucifixion, is recommended.

The rosary, however, is no invention of the Papacy. It is of the highest antiquity, and almost universally found among Pagan nations. The rosary prayer beads practice comes from the Indo- Aryan religions, where they used prayer beads to help their prayers. This was carried into Asiatic Greece where the rosary was commonly used, as may be seen from the image of the Ephesian Artemes (Diana) – the Babylonian Ishtar. The rosary beads are made to resemble a noose.

The message of Haman's gallows was altogether a “self gospel” — the symbol of an alternative plan of HaSatan. Haman would save his satisfaction and through his “craftiness” which would make an object lesson of Mordechai. He would “hang-em' high,” for refusing to bow low.

Haman was up late relishing the construction of the fiendish device of death, and the king was trying to get some sleep, and couldn’t. Instead of counting sheep, he asked that the royal records be brought in before him and read out loud. And the records that were read recounted a recent assassination plot and coup attempt.  It had been Mordechai who had learned of the plot and told Queen Esther who had in turn reported it to the king. King Achashverosh asked his scribes what had been done to reward Mordechai, and looking it up they discovered that he had received no recognition.

By now it was morning, Haman was off to the palace early, to ask for permission to kill Mordechai. And Haman was arriving in the court of the palace just as the king, pondering how to reward Mordecai asked, “Who is in the court?” (Esther 6:4). The answer came back, “Haman,” and they sent him in immediately. And the great reversal for Haman began...

“When Haman entered, the king asked him, ‘What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?’
                Now Haman thought to himself, ‘Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?’

So he answered the king, ‘For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”’

‘Go at once,’ the king commanded Haman. ‘Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.’” (Esther 6:6-10)

And Haman did so. Haman's daughter made the mistake - of confusing who was leading whom. She thought that it was Mordechai leading Haman. So she emptied her sewage on to the man she took to be Mordechai. Realizing her mistake, jumped off the roof and committed suicide. (MEGILAH 16)

But when it was all over he made his way home quickly in utter humiliation. According to the Aggaddah, when Haman was leading Mordechai in the parade of honor, Haman’s daughter thought it was Mordechai leading her father on the horse so she leaned out of her window and dumped a chamber pot on his head.  “Afterward Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief (Esther 6:12)” When she realized her mistake she lost her grip and plunged to her death. Whatever party and festivity was underway was broken up, and the friends and hangers-on began to quietly slip out through the back door.

“His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, ‘Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him-you will surely come to ruin!’ While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared. (Esther 6:13, 14)”

“People hate Jews because of envy,” sighs Judah Ibn Verga, the great Jewish historian and Kabbalist martyred at Lisbon, and “for envy there is no cure.”

There is an ancient prophecy, “The angel of Yahweh called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, declares Yahweh, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be mixed, because you have obeyed me. (Genesis 22:15-18)”

Israel likened to the sands and the stars. When they stray from their Yahweh and disobey His commandments, they can be oppressed and humiliated, and trodden upon like sand by the nations of this world. But when they return to their Yahweh and serve only Him with true devotion, they become exalted like the stars in heaven! Because of this truth all who comes against them like wicked Haman seals their own doom.

“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Genesis 12:3)"

The book of Esther reaches its climax when Haman's plot to kill the Jews is reversed and he himself winds up hanging from the gallows he had caused to be built to hang Mordechai.

“So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther, and as they were drinking wine on that second day, the king again asked, ‘Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.’

Then Queen Esther answered, ‘If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life-this is my petition. And spare my people-this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.’

King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, ‘Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?’

Esther said, ‘The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.’” (Esther 7:1-6)

The “adversary” the אִישׁ צַר “ish tzar” meaning a human enemy. Added to this is the word  אוֹיֵב “o·yav'” meaning  “to be hostile to.” Haman was a ferocious enemy.

The villain of our story, Haman, was from the nation of Amalek. Haman did all the right things, to ensure the destruction of the nation of Israel. However, he failed to recognize, as did his forefathers, that Yahweh “foreknew…[and] predestined [Israel]to be conformed to the image of His Son. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29, 30)  Haman was defeated by those he thought were doomed. He and his entire family were wiped out. His downfall was his belief system. As sincere as he was he was sincerely wrong. And as the Rambam states, we have to assure that we do not meet the same fate.

The king, shocked , arose in wrath and went out fuming into his garden. Why does the king leave now that he knows whom the real enemy is? Now that he knows the whole evil plot why doesn't he simply shout, "Off with his head!" You can see he is struggling with himself. He is angry at Haman, quite properly so, but he’s also angry with himself.  Thinking to himself, how could he been so wrong. Haman is the prime minister. He has deeply entrenched himself in the affairs of the kingdom and the king knows that if he does anything to Haman it will upset the whole kingdom. It is a radical step to execute a prime minister. It must necessarily involve a great deal of distress throughout the kingdom and change the whole pattern of government in the empire.

Haman remained in the room with the queen and threw himself down before her pleading for his life. In the moment when the king returned it appeared to him that Haman was attacking the queen.

“Then said the King, ‘Will he also molest the Queen in front of me in my own house?’ As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the King, ‘A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman's house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.’

   The king said, ‘Hang him on it!’” (Esther 7:8-9)

Haman was hanged on his own gallows. Good triumphed over evil.

Adolf Hitler banned and forbade the observance of Purim. He also declared it a capital offense for Christians or Jews to possess a copy of the Book of Esther.

In a speech made on November 10, 1938, (the day after kristallnacht), Julius Streicher surmised that just as "the Jew butchered 75,000 Persians" in one night, the same fate would have befallen the German people had the Jews succeeded in inciting a war against Germany; the "Jews would have instituted a new Purim festival in Germany.“ (“Landmark Speeches Of National Socialism,” by Randall L. Bytwerk)

Even the Nazi teaching on racial superiority was preached by men who themselves would have been considered mongrels.

On Purim 1942, ten Jews were hanged in Zduńska Wola, in Central Poland, to avenge the hanging of Haman's ten sons.

On Purim 1943, the Nazis shot ten Jews from the Piotrków ghetto.

On Purim eve that same year, over 100 Jewish doctors and their families were shot by the Nazis in Czestochowa.

Hitler knew he was possessed by the Spirit of Haman, he stated in a speech made on January 30, 1944, that if the Nazis were defeated, the Jews could celebrate "a second Purim."

“That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her.” (Esther 8:1)

“Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.” (Psalm 37:16-17)

“A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.” (Proverbs 13:22)

The King would have learned that Mordechai was a descendant of the royal family of Sha’ul, the first King of the Jews and in fact was Queen Esther's cousin making her nobility. King Achashverosh immediately appointed Mordechai to succeed Haman as Prime Minister.

“…there is no authority except that which Elohim has established. The authorities that exist have been established by Elohim.” (Romans 13:2)

“…it is Elohim Who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.” (Psalm 75:7)

Esther would no longer live in the Harem King Achashverosh presented Esther, with the Prime Minister’s estate and the royal signet, which he had taken from Haman he gave to Mordechai.

Mordechai and Esther did not for a minute lose sight of the danger that still faced their people. Haman's cruel decree was still unchanged, and unless it was withdrawn in time, the last remnant of Israel would be lost.

Esther, therefore, again beseeched the King in behalf of her doomed brethren. She fell at his feet and with tears in her eyes pleaded with the King to avert the terrible fate that threatened them.

"How can I endure to see the evil that will come unto my people? How can I endure to witness the destruction of my kindred?" Esther cried in anguish.

“King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, ‘… Now write another decree in the king's name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king's signet ring-for no document written in the king's name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.’

…The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies. The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.  A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

The couriers, riding the royal horses, raced out, spurred on by the king's command. And the edict was also issued in the citadel of Shushan.

Mordecai left the king's presence wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Shushan held a joyous celebration. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.” (Esther 8:7, 8, 11-17)

When the thirteenth day of Adar arrived, the day on which the Jews were to be slain and exterminated by Haman decree, the Jews gathered in the public places of each city and town. By order of the King, they sentenced to death all those who had revealed themselves as enemies. Throughout the kingdom of Persia, would-be murderers, insurgents and terrorists were executed, five hundred in Shushan. All ten sons of Haman were likewise executed in the insurrection.

Mordechai no longer wore his clothes of mourning. He left the palace wearing royal clothes, with his Tzitzit (as on a prayer shawl) and Teffilin (phylacteries) on as well.

“[Yahweh will] provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of Yahweh for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:3)

“The king said to Queen Esther, ‘The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Shushan. What have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted.’

‘If it pleases the king,’ Esther answered, ‘give the Jews in Shushan permission to carry out this day's edict tomorrow also, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on gallows.’”

Now, that does not make sense.  Why did Esther, when she could have gotten anything she wanted up to half of Persia as for the ten sons of Haman, who are already dead to be hanged?  The answer is spiritual.  Esther could see down through the corridors of time to when the same anti-Christ spirit that possessed Haman’s family would be at work again.

Esther was prophesying that the hanging of Haman's ten sons would not be s single episode in history, but would be repeated at a future “tomorrow” as well.

We see that the same spirit that was in Haman dwelt in Hitler.  From 1938-1945 he tried to exterminate the Jews.  His right hand man was a transvestite Hermann Goering (with the spirit of Haman’s daughter) who committed suicide when he was a disgrace to his Fuehrer like Haman’s daughter.  That left 10 generals to face the music at Numburg for trying to exterminate the Jews. When you look at the names of the 10 sons of Haman listed in Esther 9:6-10 you see three small letters. They are Tav, Shin, and Zayin, which can represent the Hebrew year 5707, corresponding to the year 1946-47. On October 16, 1946 (21 Tishrei, 5707) ten convicted Nazi war criminals were hanged in Nuremberg. The last man to go was Julius Schtreicher - editor of Der Sturmer, the anti-Semitic Nazi propaganda newspaper and also the host of the yearly Nazi party congresses at Nuremberg - he went without dignity. He had to be pushed across the floor, wild-eyed and screaming: "Heil Hitler!" Mounting the steps he cried out: "And now I go to God." Upon reaching the platform, he spat in the hangman’s face and said, "The Bolsheviks will hang you one day… I am now by God my father! Adele, my dear wife." He stared at the witnesses facing the gallows and out of nowhere, with the rope around his neck, he shouted out with flaming hatred in his eyes, just as the trap door opened, 'Purimfest 1946'!" Looking at the original Hebrew of the Book of Esther...we can clearly see, at first glance, that the list of Haman's sons appears on a separate page, written in a prominent & special manner. The left-hand column contains the word וְאֵת  v'et (and) ten times. Applying the Thirty Two Rules of interpretation of Rabbi Eliezer, the word v'et denotes replication. Meaning that another ten people are also to be hung in addition to Haman's ten sons. According to Nachmanides (the introduction to his commentary on Genesis) any change from the usual way of writing a word or letter indicates some hidden meaning in a text. The three letters together form taf-shin-zayin, the Jewish year 5707 (1946) “Esther answered, ‘Give the Jews in Shushan permission to carry out this day's edict tomorrow also, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on gallows,’ the Sages comment: "There is a tomorrow that is now, and a

tomorrow which is later." (Tanchuma Bo 13 and Rashi on Exodus 13:14).

October 16, 1946 corresponds to 21^st of Tishrei,

5707 which was Hoshana Raba, the day when Yahweh's Yom Kippur judgments are sealed and made final.

There is another tomorrow coming in the time of the end when the spirit that motivated the ten sons of Haman will rise again at the behest of the Beast like Haman.  “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.’ (Revelation 17:12)

‘So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Shushan, and they hanged the ten sons of Haman. The Jews in Shushan came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Shushan three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king's provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them but did not lay their hands on the plunder. This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.’” (Esther 9:12-17)

The people believed and the people were saved.

From that time, on the thirteenth day of Adar, the day before Purim there is the Fast of Esther to emulate Israel’s repentance and coming out of assimilation, the fourteenth day of Adar is consecrated as the festival of Purim, to commemorate the great miracle of the last remnant of Israel's salvation.  Those of us who live in the Diaspora, like those who lived in Shushan, consecrate also the fifteenth day of Adar as "Shushan Purim."

“Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor… the Jews took it upon themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants… Esther's decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.” (Esther 9:20-22, 27, 28, 32)

Yahweh scattered Israel because they broke covenant with Him. The Kingdom divided and both halves of the Kingdom were sent into captivity. Israel was divided and scattered – they did not all get along: there were disagreements and disputes among them so that in their hearts they were scattered and dispersed. In the end, when the Jews were given the opportunity to attack their enemies before Haman's decree became effective, they were a united force. To foster feelings of closeness, kinship, and love, we send gifts to each other on Purim. This way, every year, we show that we care for our fellow Believer and want to establish and maintain unity throughout the Commonwealth.

The story of Israel is replete with two models of faith.  There is Joseph the young righteous hero, and there is Judah the repentant hero. Joseph is a spiritual leader who motivates others by his moral authority and rises second only to Pharaoh. Judah after initial shortcomings is inspired to lead his other brothers to Joseph even laying down his life as a guarantee for young Benjamin’s.

It is even in the advents of Messiah.  Moshiach Ben Yosef will precede the Moshiach ben Yehuda (David).  Messiah YahShua said “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)  He was spurred on to crucifixion by the prophecy, “See, the King is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” (Jude 1:14, 15)

“That is why they called these days ‘Purim’ from the word ‘pur’.” (Esther 9:26) Why Mordechai and his rabbinical court decided to call the festival “Purim” after the lot (pur) cast by Haman? Why didn’t they choose a name which commemorates the redemption? It’s because Purim is the only Holy Day commemorating a redemption which occurred while the Jewish people was in exile.

“. . . and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy. . .” (Esther 9:22)

Feasting and celebrating are meant to bring people together. Purim is the Holy Day that celebrates “nahafochu,” the reversal of events for the nation of Israel. We celebrate the close relationships we have with one another. We celebrate the close relationship we have with Yahweh. Our celebrating with food and drink is not a mere physical indulgence; it is a tool to unify the nation of Israel, using expressions of happiness, thanks and joy as the ties to bond us.

In the same way, Yahweh promises to turn all our “fasts” into “feasts.”  “Again the word of Yahweh Almighty came to me. This is what Yahweh Almighty says: ‘The fasts of the fourth (mourning the breach of the walls of Jerusalem - Jeremiah 52:6-7), fifth (mourning the destruction of the Holy Temple - Jeremiah 52:12-14), seventh (mourning the assassination of Governor Gedaliah - cf. 2 Kings 25:25; Jeremiah 41:1-3)and tenth months (mourning the siege against Jerusalem - Jeremiah 52:4-5) will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’” (Zechariah 8:19)

             “He will swallow up death in victory; and Yahweh Almighty will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for Yahweh has spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our Elohim; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is Yahweh; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” (Isaiah 25:8-9)

 “And Yahweh shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

                “They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of Yahweh — the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.

Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” (Jeremiah 31:12-13)

The book of Esther not only contains many parallels to our end-time setting, but it even has, in principle, the outcome of the great controversy. Esther's behavior is paralleled to that of the Commonwealth. We both have committed a sin of assimilation, and then see the error of our ways when we hear the call of Yahweh.

"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Revelation 18:2-4)

“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- that at that time you were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Yahweh in the world. But now in Messiah YahShua you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah.” (Ephesians 2:1-13)

“These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants.” (Esther 9:28)

We remember Mordechai and Esther. The Shabbat before Purim is called Shabbat Zachor, it means the Sabbath of Remembering. We as a people have a strong association to memory. “One generation will commend [Yahweh’s] works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4)

“What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way Yahweh our Elohim is near us whenever we pray to him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7)

Yahweh will reverse the lie of haSatan, and make all things new again, delivering His people. And we can be assured of that

“Remember what Amalek did to you, on the way, when you were leaving Egypt: that he happened upon you on the way, and he struck those of you who were hindmost, all the weaklings at your rear, when you we faint an exhausted, and he did not fear Elohim. . . You shall wipe out the memory of Amalek from under the heavens - you shall not forget!” (Deuteronomy 25:17-19)

Because there is something on your horizon and on mine that stands much taller than haSatan's gallows; and that is the Kingdom of Yahweh. Messiah YahShua was pierced through on our behalf, in our place, "that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14). “He became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of Yahweh in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) If it seems that our lives are sold into destruction--if it seems that we and our people are "to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish"--then let us call to mind the manner in which King Achashverosh received queen Esther, even up to giving her half of the kingdom of Persia. Yahweh loves Israel. He purposes to preserve it, to make us clean, “without wrinkle or spot “(Ephesians 5:27). It is “His good pleasure to give us the kingdom” (Luke 12:32)!

                The harvest is white, go tell the lost sheep of the House of Israel and the Gentiles who will hear!

“Go into all the world and preach the full Messianic Message to all creation. Whoever believes and is immersed will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15, 16)

“And this full Messianic Message of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) The Kingdom is coming!