Celebrating Heroism and Deliverance

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein  |  March 9, 2017

Dear Friend of Israel

While many Christians are familiar with the biblical story of Esther, a lot are unfamiliar with the Jewish holiday celebrating its happy outcome. That holiday is Purim, perhaps the most festive on the Jewish calendar, and it starts this Saturday at sundown.

Purim recalls the deliverance of the Jewish people from their enemies nearly 2,400 years ago. The king of Persia chose a beautiful young woman named Esther to be his queen, unaware that she was Jewish. Esther heard from Mordecai, her uncle, that the king had entrusted the fate of Persian Jews to Haman, the King’s top adviser. Haman hated the Jews, and issued an order to kill them all.

At great risk to her own life, Esther revealed to the king that she was Jewish and pleaded with him to save her people. He agreed to do so, and, in a fitting twist, handed down to the evil Haman the death sentence Haman himself had planned to give the Jews.

Esther’s bravery and obedience to God – her willingness to put her own life on the line to save her people – teaches us a valuable lesson about self-sacrifice and purpose that is as true and meaningful today as it was thousands of years ago.

Haman, too, is more than just a historical figure. We recognize Haman in Iranian leaders who frequently call for Israel’s destruction. We feel his presence when we read about terrorists who carry out murderous attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions – as well as on Christians – around the world. We hear him in the rising tide of anti-Semitic attacks in the U.S.

One of the messages of Purim – a message that applies to Jews and Christians alike – is that in a world with no shortage of “Hamans,” we need more “Esthers” committed to bravely defending His people in the face of hatred. I thank you, my friend, for being one of those “Esthers” through your support of The Fellowship‘s lifesaving work.

This Purim let us celebrate the shalom, peace, God restored to the Persian Jews through Esther in biblical times, and continue to pray for shalom to fill the whole world.
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
Founder and President