In the third year of his reign, the King of Persia, Ahashverosh
(also known as Ahasuerus and Ahashuerus) decided to have a
feast. It was on the seventh day of these festivities that the
King summoned his queen, Vashti, to appear before him and
demonstrate her beauty for the King's officials. Vashti
refused to appear. (According to the Talmud, G-d afflicted her
with leprosy to cause her downfall and Esther's rise.) Incensed,
the King asked his officers for a suitable punishment. One
advisor, Memuchan (some think he was was actually Haman),
argued that Vashti should be killed for her disobedience.
The King took his advice and killed Vashti.
 As time passed the King desired a new queen. To find a
suitable wife, a contest was initiated among all the
eligible girls in the kingdom. One of those was Esther, a
Jewish girl. Esther had been raised by her relative Mordechai
after her parents' death. Mordechai instructed Esther not
to divulge her Jewishness when she went to meet the
king. Each day Mordechai walked by the court and inquired
as to her well being. Esther impressed all who met her,
including the King, and she was elevated to queen.
Years later the King elevated Haman, a descendant of Amelak,
the traditional enemy of the Jews, to the position of chief
adviser. Haman was a wicked and vain man who expected
everyone to bow down to him. Mordechai refused to bow
because Jews are to bow only before G-D. Not content
to just punish Mordechai, Haman wanted to destroy the entire
Jewish people in Persia.
He cast lots or PURIM to determine the day of annihilation.
Haman  went to the King, slandered the Jews, and convinced
the King to go along with his plans. Upon learning of the plot,
Mordechai tore his clothes, wore sackcloth and ashes, and
walked through the city crying loudly. When Esther heard
of Mordechai's display she dispatched a messenger to
discover what was troubling her relative. Mordechai recounted the details of the evil decree and instructed Esther to intercede on the Jews'
behalf. Esther agreed to appear before the King and
instructed Mordechai to organize a three-day fast for all the Jews on her behalf
In the third year of his reign, the King of Persia, Ahashverosh
(also known as Ahasuerus and Ahashuerus) decided to have a
feast. It was on the seventh day of these festivities that the King
summoned his queen, Vashti, to appear before him and
demonstrate her beauty for the King's officials. Vashti refused to
appear. (According to the Talmud, G-d afflicted her with leprosy
to cause her downfall and Esther's rise.) Incensed, the King
asked his officers for a suitable punishment. One adviser,
Memuchan (some think he was was actually Haman), argued that Vashti should be killed for her disobedience. The King took his advice and
Vashti was killed.
As time passed the King desired a new queen. To find a suitable
wife, a contest was initiated among all the eligible girls in the
kingdom. One of those was Esther, a Jewish girl. Esther had
been raised by her relative Mordechai after her parents' death.
Mordechai instructed Esther not to divulge her Jewishness
when she went to meet the king. Each day Mordechai walked by
the court and inquired as to her well being. Esther impressed
all who met her, including the King, and she was elevated
to queen.
Years later the King elevated Haman , a descendant of Amelak,
the traditional enemy of the Jews, to the position of chief advisor.
Haman was a wicked and vain man who expected everyone to bow
down to him. Mordechai refused to bow because Jews are to bow
only before G-D. Not content to just punish Mordechai, Haman
wanted to destroy the entire Jewish people in Persia. He cast
lots (PURIM) to determine the day of annihilation.
Haman went to the King, slandered the Jews, and convinced the
King to go along with his plans. Upon learning of the plot,
Mordechai tore his clothes, wore sackcloth and ashes, and
walked through the city crying loudly. When Esther heard of
Mordechai's display she dispatched a messenger to discover what
was troubling her relative. Mordechai recounted the details of the
evil decree and instructed Esther to intercede on the Jews behalf.
Esther agreed to appear before the King and instructed Mordechai
to organize a three-day fast for all the Jews on her behalf.
After completing the three-day fast, Esther entered the king's
inner court dressed in her most royal garb. The King inquired as
to Esther's desires. Esther replied that she wished to invite the
King and Haman to a banquet. After the feast Esther asked the
King and Haman to a to return for another banquet the next night.
Haman left the banquet consumed with self importance and pride,
but these feelings were turned to anger when he saw Mordechai.
Haman went home, and his wife, Zeresh, advised him to construct
a gallows. Haman joyously acted upon the suggestion.
That night, the King discovered that Mordechai had never been
rewarded for saving him from the assassination plot of two
servants. When Haman appeared in the court, the King decided
that his trusted servant should determine Mordechai's
compensation. Haman , intending to obtain the King's permission
to hang Mordechai, unwittingly answered the King's questions.
The King asked Haman, "What should be done for the man the
King wishes to reward?" Haman, believing that Ahashverosh
intended to reward him, replied that the honoree should be
dressed in royal clothing, ride upon a royal horse. And be led
through the city streets by an official proclaiming
"This is what is done to the man the King wishes to honor"
At Esther's second banquet Haman's downfall continued.
Esther revealed Haman's villainous plot and the fact that she
was Jewish. She asked the King to "grant me my soul and my
people." Ahashverosh consumed with anger ordered that
Haman be hanged on the gallows intended for Mordechai.
The King elevated Mordechai to a position of great influence
and allowed him to issue edicts permitting the Jews to fight
their enemies. On the thirteenth and fourteenth of Adar the
Jews won tremendous victories and were saved from the threat of total annihilation.
Ever since, Jews have observed Purim. The day before Purim is a day of fasting, in memory of Esther's fast. The fast is then followed by two days of dancing, merrymaking, feasting and gladness
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