Fortunately there is a name with a Jewish connection for today's ABC Wednesday X-day.
Xerxes, King of Persia, is Achashverosh in Hebrew and became Ahasuerus in English Bibles.
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Enlarge the photo and see if you think that is Xerxes on the throne on the top of this beautiful old Scroll of Esther..
The story of Purim is told in the Book of Esther.
Esther is a Jewish girl who becomes Queen to King Xerxes and through her bravery is able to thwart an attempt to slaughter all the Jews living in Persia at that time, about 2,500 years ago.
This parchment scroll was made in 1616 in Ferrara, Italy..
"The Bible in Manuscripts and Printed Books" is a wonderful permanent exhibit that I found at Israel's National Library while I was there, at the Hebrew University, for the big book giveaway.
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Esther is one of my favourite bible stories! We had a musical called "Esther"last year. Many members of our church took part in the play and even the children were taking part in it. The whole crew were amateurs and it was fascinating to see how respectable family men and churchgoers changed into drinkers and dancers who were singing in high spirits at the party of King Ahasuerus who was a bit tipsy himself! Well not really but he played his part well!
ReplyDeleteA LEGIT X! Congrats. Most people (like me) cheated.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Very nicely done, Dina.
ReplyDeleteGreat X post. Now if
ReplyDeleteI just knew how to pronounce Xerxes.
An Arkies Musings
How funny! Had a girlfriend in Ferrara in the early 80es. Nice town.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and word for X
ReplyDeleteI like reading about Esther in bible.
I enlarged the photo and admired the scroll... but of course have no clue whether that is Xerxes on the throne. Well done, Dina. Like others, I cheated with X, but one that is widely used. :-D
ReplyDeleteIt's done very well to last that long!
ReplyDeleteXerxes is the name of a big street over in Edina, a suburb of Minneapolis! Interesting....
ReplyDeleteHave just spent the last fifteen minutes catching up on your last posts Dina, what a fantastically interesting and ancient part of the world you live in, so much history. Believe me I do love living in Perth, but it's just so 'young', well I guess that's why trips to Europe and Asia are something to be anticipated!
ReplyDeleteBesutiful scroll.
ReplyDeleteThe only Xerxes I know of was King of Persian during the was with the Greek city states, in which took place the battles of Marathon and Thermopylae. I guess not the same Xerxes?
I like names that begin with X ;)
I think I saw a movie about Esther a good while ago. You're giving us such interesting history, Dina.
ReplyDeleteA four-hundred-year megillah from Ferrara and in very good conditions.
ReplyDeleteI remember that Esther was one of the two cases were images were allowed, but I can't remember the other... Please help me, Dina!
VP, you mean when is it allowed to photograph in a synagogue service?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question. I'm not exactly an expert on these matters, sorry. I'll try to find out.
Kay, Esther made it into the movies too??
Crystal, yes, there is some confusion in the sources and disagreement among scholars. Artaxerxes was the son of Xerxes, maybe it was him?
When I see the name Xerxes, I can't help but think of Thermopylae and Leonidas.
ReplyDeleteStudying the marvelous details when I enlarged the photo was a pleasure...I especially love the flowers in between the sections of text...they are so gracefully designed! Xerxes...perfect for "X" indeed.
ReplyDeleteeXcellent choice!
ReplyDeletePlease come and find out what the Letter X is at my page. Have a lovely day.
What a great post Dina.I love illuminated manuscripts a and scrolls. Great to see at least a little of this one.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit, three years have flown by and blogging has lightened the load of living with the Prof and Mr. Alzheimer who is not always a pleasant companion.
Great post, Dina. Your subjects are always so interesting.
ReplyDelete