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In Esther 9:20-22 we have the origins of the festival of Purim associated with the Esther story. Eugene Peterson, in his book Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work, explains the joy and celebration associated with this annual festival in the Jewish tradition when he writes: "The people of God were threatened with destruction. They were not destroyed. The experience was not unlike that undergone by Dostoyevsky when he faced the prospect of execution and was at the last moment reprieved; the presence of death heightened all aspects of life, gave them deeper color, new reality. One becomes conscious of the basic miracle of minimal being in such crisis situations."
Therefore, the festival of Purim is characterized by joy and celebration. The people of God were so close to extermination, but by the providence of God and Esther's plea on behalf of her people they now live.
Indeed, the festival of Purim commemorates the survival of the Hebrew people. Therefore, Purim has become an annual feast in the Jewish religious calendar. Some scholars rate it second in importance only to that of the Seder service at Passover.
Therefore, the festival of Purim is characterized by joy and celebration. The people of God were so close to extermination, but by the providence of God and Esther's plea on behalf of her people they now live.
Indeed, the festival of Purim commemorates the survival of the Hebrew people. Therefore, Purim has become an annual feast in the Jewish religious calendar. Some scholars rate it second in importance only to that of the Seder service at Passover.
