Esther

The Book of Esther is a book of the Hebrew Bible and part of the Christian Old Testament. It is one of the five Megillot, or scrolls, and is traditionally read on the Jewish holiday of Purim. The book tells the story of Esther, a Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia and saves her people from destruction. The book begins with a brief introduction to the Persian Empire and its king, Ahasuerus. Ahasuerus is looking for a new queen and chooses Esther, a young Jewish woman, to be his wife. Esther is taken to the palace and is well-liked by the king and his court. The main plot of the book begins when the king’s advisor, Haman, plots to have all the Jews in the empire killed. Esther’s cousin Mordecai discovers the plot and tells Esther, who then goes to the king and reveals Haman’s plan. The king is outraged and orders Haman to be hanged. The book then follows Esther as she works to save her people. She organizes a feast for the king and his court, and during the feast she reveals her Jewish identity and pleads for her people’s lives. The king is moved by her plea and grants her request. He also orders that the Jews be allowed to defend themselves against their enemies. The book ends with a celebration of the Jews’ victory and the establishment of the festival of Purim. The book is a reminder of the power of faith and courage in the face of adversity. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right and fighting for justice.