Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Haman harasha

H is today's letter over at ABC Wednesday and today and tomorrow is Purim in Israel, so . . .
H is for Haman. Boo, hiss!

(To enjoy the detail, please click on the image. )
"An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman"

On Purim we celebrate the deliverance of the Jews of the Persian Empire from a total massacre more than 2,000 years ago. It's named for the lots (pur-im) cast by Haman, the King's vizier, to determine the date on which the Jews were to be killed in the capital city of Shushan.
Esther and Mordechai are the heroes of the story. You can open your Bible or your browser and read the fascinating Book of Esther in your own language. (It's only 7 pages!)
Yesterday was the Fast of Esther, but today we feast and drink wine, send gift baskets of food to friends, have costume parties and parades, and give lots of charity to the needy. The scroll of Esther is chanted in the synagogue; every time Haman's name is heard, all the kids and adults stamp their feet, whistle, pound the table, or spin noisemakers.
Happy Purim!

21 comments:

  1. This is my 2nd favorite Bible story (Joseph is my favorite). I love the way you celebrate!!

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  2. It sounds like a wonderful celebration! I loved the enlarged photo. I'm trying to remember to enlarge photos on as many blogs as allow it.

    Good "H" post!

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  3. I laughed at your pantomine Boo Hiss at the bad in the Bible.

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  4. A very happy Purim to you, Dina. I'll go check that out now.

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  5. OK... I read it. It was very interesting. Thanks, Dina.

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  6. REminds me of my lovley grandmother - her name was Esther - and she read the bible to me :)

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  7. Why am I always shocked by cruelty and brutality? We see it now, we read about it happening in the past. Perhaps my shock is in the many "novel" ways in which it is done. I pray for the people who feel such hatred and anger.

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  8. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
    HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

    I once wrote a curriculm for Vacation Bible School, It was called 'Ester and the Whole Megilla'. Kids had fun but we had to teach them to boo and hiss when Haman's name was mentioned.

    Hag Sameach Dina

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  9. I am studying Esther now on DVD's from our pastor teacher. So this is very interesting post.
    Patsy

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  10. Incredible horrors mankind delivers. Nice reminder post!

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  11. Haman was offended that Esther's uncle Mordecai wasn't "impressed" by Haman's (BOOOOO!) "glory."

    Purim fun! Aloha-

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  12. One suspects that Haman wasn't hugged enough as a child...

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  13. Happy Purim to you too. It sounds like a very happy day.

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  14. Great H! Very interesting post, i'm so glad to learn something new every day!

    HHHugs Tyra


    THE GREENHOUSE IN TYRA'S GARDEN

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  15. Happy Purim to you - didn't know that it was such a feast with costumes and all. Have fun and enjoy!

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  16. Happy Purim to you Dina.
    Glad to learn it's such a happy celebration. Enjoy.

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  17. Very interesting, Dina. Thanks for the insight.

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