The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-23
THE FEAST OF PURIM.


History OF Its Origin-The Story Of Esther
How the Feast IN Kept.
The Feast OF Purm, which will be celebrated on
SUNDAY with appropriate reoiclngs by every Israeli
Ito community throughout the wide world-and
what other race has been so sadly scatteredi-
recalls one OF the most interesting episodes OF
BIBLICAL history. Indeed the feast Is, In certain
sense the property OF Hebrew and Christian alike;
lor, though IL Is kept only by the Jew, every
Christian child has rejoiced in the downfall Of
Haman and the exaltation OF Mordecai as told in
the Book OF Esther.
Sngularly graphic, though told In simple, artless
words Is the story whose crisis Is now for the latest
time In twenty-five centuries to be again
commemorated. There came q time when
King Ahasuerus (who has been identified with
pont) gave great feast. Ali the princes Of the EN-.
plre were gathered together. 'and they gave them
drink In vessels or gold" One custom OF the FEAST
as we are told. might be adopted with advantage
even at the present day. IS this:-"And the drink
ing was according to the law-none did Compel SO
the King mad appointed to the officers OF hts house
snas i1ey saoua 40 according TO every mans plea.
KING sent for his Queen, Vasnu. that she might re-
loice the eyes OF nj guests with her beauty Vasht
humlllated by the request, refused to come, and
was, by the advice OF the Kings counseers and 1or
the behoof Of all the strong minded women Of
manded that all the most beautiful maidens
OF the empire should 90 brought before
n nm. g., tnat he might select new c9n sIHl.
named Esther, who mad been brought up oy her
cousin Mordecal So with great least, Esther.
who by MOrdecals advice preserved her nationality
q secret, was solemnly installed as Queen. Nor
decal SAT at the Kings gate, and soon afterwards
King. 5H'
Eight years of quiet and prosperity passed BY
ana tne King iound new lav0rite-Haman, the son
q
place beneath the throne. The Kings servants all
bowed ana did MIN reverence, and Mordecai alone
and, knowing That he was Jew, determined to
exermnate the whole race. Having cast lOts-or
King PERMISSION to XIII ana spoil ali the Jews In the
empire. and instrucuons 70 this eaect were
massacre Was TO take place on the 18TH day OF the
twelfth mouth and the Hebrews. therefore, had
abundance OF time TO ward Off the intended blow.
and ashes, and the news thus came to the ears OF
Esther. Esther resolved to save ner people even at
the risk OF ner own life and invited the King and
Hannah to come to q banquet that she had prepared
Tor them. The invitation was accepted, ana the
KING lurLher consented to come with Haman on the
morrow to q similar feast. That night, how
ever, he could not sleep, and to amuse him
Among these was a narration Of the g0Ou
services rendered by Mordecai, and the King having
asked what had been the reward given TO the Jew.
reward Whatever, called Hannah IN. who was wait
Ing without IN the court come In and ask per-
had already put up IN MS garden Tor That purpose
The King without disclosing the name of tile man
he intended to reward, asked what should be done
to the man whom the King delighted to honor.
Hannah, thinking himself Intended, advised very
pleasant programme, which ne was forthwith com.
manded greatly to his own disgust to carry out
The following day, at the second banquet Esther
openly denounced Haman to the King, and
the King ordered him to be hanged on
the gallOws which he had INTENDED for
MOrdecal. ALI alter this was easy. The decree
about the Jews was annuled and another substt-
tuted IN Its place, giving them permission to sav
their enemies. Ever since the fourteenth and III.
teenth days OF the month Adar have Oeen kept with
feaslng and rejoicing ana the excnange VI presents
IN memory OF these events and the festival has been
named Purlm IN allusion to the throwing OF the lot
or Pur, before Haman.
In modern tunes the feast has always taken,
among Otner forms that OF masuueradng parties and
balls and on Sunday nignL as usual the streets Will
doubtless echo to the feet Of bands OF sraeltes,
their way from house to house, disguised In merry.
making ralment Formerly we used to have great
''balI" but more aristocrato reception has
now taken Its place.