66 Love Letters - ESTHER

I decided to do something a little different this week. Since the Jewish holiday Purim was born from this annointed piece of biblical text, I thought I'd share a few fun facts from the book of Esther and the meaning of the celebrated Jewish holiday of Purim.

The longest verse in the Bible is found in Esther containing 90 words: The king’s scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, to(B) the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces(C) from India to Ethiopia,(D) 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language. Esther 8:9 ESV

• The book of Esther is one of the scrolls, or megillot, that the Jews read in full at particular times throughout the liturgical calendar year.

• The book of Esther is the ONLY book in the Bible that doesn’t mention the name of God.

• The Purim holiday begins with the Fast of Esther, the name of Mordechai’s niece who helped save the Jews from Haman. Before executing her plan she fasted for three days. Jews commemorate this fast with one fast day of their own.

Interested in learning about the Jewish holiday Purim? Then check out these sites: Judaism 101, Purim Customs, and Smile it's Purim.