Purim, one of the most joyous and dramatic holidays in the Jewish calendar, commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a genocidal plot in ancient Persia. Celebrated annually on the 14th of Adar (or 15th in walled cities like Jerusalem), Purim is based on the events recorded in the biblical book of Esther. It is a festival of survival, divine providence, and the unwavering faithfulness of God to His people.
/**/The story of Purim unfolds during the reign of King Ahasuerus (historically identified as Xerxes I) of Persia. Haman, the king’s prime minister, sought to annihilate the Jewish people after feeling personally slighted by Mordecai, a Jew who refused to bow to him. Haman, a descendant of the Amalekites, represents the spiritual and historical legacy of those who have sought to destroy Israel. His plot was thwarted by Queen Esther, Mordecai’s cousin, who courageously interceded with the king on behalf of her people. Through a miraculous reversal, Haman was executed on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai, and the Jewish people were saved.
Messianic Rabbi Kirt Schneider highlights the connection between Purim and the divine commandment to remember Amalek’s treachery in his upcoming new book, Decoding the Torah. He states, “The Amalekites were the first to attack Israel when they came out of Egypt and are considered the first anti-Semites. This commandment is a divine injunction to remember the treachery of Amalek and ensure his memory is erased.”
This command finds expression in Purim traditions, where the name of Haman—Amalek’s descendant—is symbolically blotted out by congregants using noisemakers called graggers whenever his name is read from the book of Esther. This act embodies the biblical mandate to erase the memory of Amalek and stands as a defiant declaration against all who seek to destroy God’s people.
Purim observances include festive meals, the exchange of gifts (“mishloach manot”), and charitable giving to the poor (“matanot la’evyonim”). The holiday reminds us not only of past deliverance but also of the ongoing spiritual battle against forces of evil.
In every generation, Purim remains a vibrant testament to God’s faithfulness, the power of courage, and the enduring victory of light over darkness.
Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
