The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-03-04
PURIM, FEAST
OF LOTS, TO Be
OBSERVED HERE
EVENT BEGINS AT SHUTDOWN
SATURDAY MARCH 7; SERV-
ICES WILL BE HELD AT
LOCAL SYNAGOGUE

The loyalty of a jewish woman
to her people will be commemorate
ed by Jews all over the world
when they observe Purim, the
Feast of Lots, which this year be-
gins at shutdown Saturday, March
z.
During this one day festival
the Book of Esther is read in the
Synagogue and the Jewish people
rejoice as they remember that CEN
turies ago on this day their faith
ers were delivered from persecu-
ton.
Services in observance of this
festival will be held at the local
synagogue by Rabbi Phillip Kris
tai.
The story Of Purim had its
origin in ancient Persia four cen
turtles before the Common Era.
Tradition says that King Ahasue-
rus of Persia deposed his wife,
Vashti, because she was disobe-
dent and married Ether, beau
tiful Jewish girl, who was the
cousin of Mordecai, an influential
man in the kingdom.
Appointed General
The king had appointed his
favorite general, Hannah, to the
position Of prime minister. A Bit
ter enemy of the Jewish people,
Hannah particularly disliked Nor
decai and because he had a quar-
rel with him rs an individual, he
hated and plotted to kill all the
Jews.
He went to King Ahasurus with
distorted tales about the Jews.
He portrayed them as a deadly
menace; he insisted that they must
he eradicatedL from the kingdom;
and in the end he obtained the
kings acquiescence to his plan.
Haman cast lots to select the
day for the Jewish massacre,
hence the name of the festival.
He issued an edict under the kings
seal "tO destroy utterly all Jews,
both young and Old. and to take
the spoil of them for a prey"
Aghast, Mordecai hurried to
Queen Esther and implored her to
intercede on behalf of her peo-
pl. Esther had not revealed her
religion. For moment she hes
itated to seek a private audience
with the king, for anyone who APP
preached him without being call
ed, was put to death unless he
held out to them his golden scep,
tire. as the symbol of his forgive
ness.
Senses Need
However, M0rdecai, sensing the
imperative need Of his people
spoke to the queen in phrases
which have been inlmortahzed in
the Bible, think not within thy.
self that thou shalt escape, in the
kings house, any more than al
the Jews. For if thou holdest thy
peace at this time, relief and de
liverance will arise to the Jews
from another place. but thou anC
thy fathers house will perish; anC
who knoweth whether thou ar
not come to royal estate for just
such a time as this?"
Esther was persuaded and went
to the king who held out the gold
en- sceptre to her. She invited
him to a banquet and at the feast
she told him of Humans dupli
city. of his plan to kill all Jews
which would include herself anC
begged the king to save her PEG
pie from destruction.
Mortified and angered the kinf
ordered Hannah to be hanged OF
the same gibbet that he had pre-
pared for Mordecai. Under thu
laws of the Modes and Persian.
Il royal order could not be revok
ed. but Ahasuerus issued seconC
edict which gave the Jews thu
right to arm themselves and ST
stand for their lives against al
that would assault thenl."
In commemoration. the Jewisl
people give thanks and join il
gay celebrations on this festival
Gifts are given to the poor, Purin
plays in memory of Queen Esthel
are presented, carnivals are held