Happiness and Joy, Gladness and Honor

Stand for Israel  |  March 3, 2023

“For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating.” (Esther 8:16-17)

In this photo, taken in pre-state Israel sometime before the Jewish state won her independence 75 years ago, a young Jewish girl dresses up for the Purim holiday. This joyous holiday remembering the biblical story of Esther has been celebrated by the Jewish people for millennia, ever since the Bible commanded:

“These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.” (Esther 9:28)

Jewish people—in the Holy Land and around the world—will keep this Bible story’s memory alive as they celebrate Purim beginning this Monday evening at sundown. Shabbat shalom, friends.