Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-15
THE FEAST OF PURIM.
An EventfuI Day I'm Jewish History.
This annual feast is always remembered

An Eventful Day I'm Jewish History.
This annual feast is always remembered
by our Jewish citizens. It commenced on
the evening of the 18th and continued until
the evening of the day following. The story
of Esther and Mordecai is one of the most
interesting as well as one of the most in
structive in the Old Testament. Upon the
death of Cyrus, King of Persia, Ahasuerus
assembled the royal throne. His capital was
Shushan. The King was controlled to a
great extent by his minister called Haman,
an ambitious and INSCRIPTIONS individual,
whose hatred toward the Jews was initiated
by ministers of many a King during the
middle ages, and even up to the present
day. A conspiracy to kill the King was
discovered by Mordecai, Jew, who in
formed the King of the circumstances.
The information being found correct,
the name of Mordecai was recorded in
the chronicle of events. Mordecai's neice,
the beautiful Esther, sool after became the
wife of the King, and was thus enabled to
avert the destruction threatened by Haman
TO the Jews of Persia. Hannah heartily
hated Mordecai, who would never bow to
him when passing, as was the custom Of all
others, as well IS the entire Jewish pop
ulation, and determining upon their exter-
mination, persuaded the King to decide I'D.
on their destruction upon the 18th day of
the Jewish month of Adar, and at the same
time to plumber them of their property.
Mordecai hearing of this intended bar
barity admonshed Esther, his neice, to
save the people at any p ice. This she con-
trived TO do in very ingenious manner,
although at the risk of her own life. Ha-
man, not content With what he had already
done, determined an extra cruelty upon
Mordecai ~ hanging him to a gal
lows fifty cubits high. The king
happening, however, to examine
the chronicle Of events, and seeing tina:
MOrdecai had not been rewarded for his in
formation of the conspiracy against him,
resolved to do so Immediately, and thus
discovering Ham2n's wickedness through
Esther, and his intentions towards Morde-
cal, ordered him to be hanged upon the
gallows intended for the latter, who would
take his place as Minister to The King.
The decree for the destruction of the Jews
upon the appointed day was not executed.
The Jews have in comment grafton of their
escape from Humans cruelty and vindic-
tiveness, always celebrated the 18th of
Adar, the annual feast of s'Purim," that is
"Lots," so called because Haman cast lots
for fixing the day of the determination of
the Jews, which was averted through the
fundamentally of the Almighty.
Events akin to this have occurred time
and again, and often there was no helping
uand raised to assist the Jews in their need.
They have too often been the victims of
the foul conspiracies of ministers as well as
kings. The persecution of their ancestors
is still too wildly impressed upon their
minds for them ever to forget this feast OF
Purim. 1t reminds them of the liberty
now enjoyed by them throughout civilized
countries where liberal ideas have indelibly
stamped themselves, but they do not forget
that there are still countries claiming to be
civilized where their brethren are still pursu-
ed by the relentless and remorseless demon
ofpersecution; and, therefore, they celebrate
it with greater earnestness, rejoicing in their
own freedom, and fervently wishing that of
their brethren in far off countries.