The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-03-12
FEAST Of PURIM
TO Be OBSERVED
BY LOCAL jews
Services are Concerned With
Reading Book of Esther;
March IA Is Date
Of Festive Season

The mirthful feast Of Purim will be
celebrated in Jewish circles this year
on Monday evening, March IA. with
special service in the synagog.
While q holiday Of a minor character,
its use of the scroll of Esther has en-
deared the festival TO the Jewish peo-
pie who make ii an occasion for popu-
lar rejoicing.
The services for this festival are
wholly concerned with the reading of
the story Of Esther, which, from time
TO time, assumed a more prophetic
character and forevisioned. in part.
the checkered career of the Jews.
on this day the Jewish people re.
member the miraculous redemption
wrought for their ancestors by the
loyalty and devotion of Mordecai, uncle
of Queen Esther, whose fidelity to his
king and country made possible the
rescue Of the king from the hands of
plotters.
Esther stopped POgram.
The particular element in the Book
Of Esther that appeals to the fancy
and emotion of the Jewish people is
the overthrow of Haman. arch-enemy
of the jew, who had plotted to de-
stroy all the Jewish people throughout
the Persian empire. The 18th day of
the 18th month, according to the He
brew calendar, was set aside for this
terrible pogrom. His bloody designs
would have been executed had not the
courage of Queen Esther, the Jewess
selected by Ahasuerus. king of Persia,
for his wife, and Mordecai her uncle
frustrated Haman's murderous inten-
'ions and brought them to nought
Throughout all the centuries the
Jewish people have interpreted the
narratives compiled in the Book of
Esther in the light Of their own event
fu career 1t seemed TO them that
the destiny of Esther and her people
in the realm of Persia was typical Of
those events that befell the Jews in
all other periods. AS they were saved
then. so would they be rescued IN all
times of peril
Trusted i'm God.
Hence they confidently trusted in
the God of their fathers who was the
rock of their refuge whenever men
rose up against them. Under His
guidance they have waged an age.long
combat against error and malice TO
the end that persecution and injustice
might everywhere be uprooted Linked
with this faith was the hope that here
on earth. the footstool of God. men
and women from all countries and
nations would pay homage to God
alone as their sole Ruler.
Purim has always been the occa sion
for mirthful celebrations in Jewish
families and social groups. However
unhappy the lot Of the Jew, Purim
has been made season of merriment
While the synagog echoes the undoing
Of Elaman and the triumph Of Nor.
decai Jewish social centers and
homes are the scenes Of activities and
entertainment in which men, women
and children participate As on all
occasions Of happiness the Jewish peo.
pie consider those whose lot has not
fallen in pleasant places. so on this
feast OF Purim they remember those
who are in need, and the giving Of
gifts to the poor and afflicted consti.
tutes one Of the outstanding features
Of the festival.
Added Attraction Now.
For the Jewish people Of the United
states the festival OF Purim has an
added attraction this year due to the
appointment Of an American rabbi as
minister IN Barcio