esther

Megillah 10

Midrash Esther.

The heroine of the Purim story is portrayed in contradictory ways in the biblical book that bears her name.

From Esther's vegetarianism to the Jewish leap year, things that might surprise you.

Key vocabulary for this raucous holiday

The purported burial site of Purim's Persian queen was a pilgrimage site for Iran's Jews.

The new tradition of waving a flag when Esther and Vashti's names are mentioned celebrates the triumph of these Purim heroines.

Purim is a joyous holiday that celebrates the saving of the Jews from a threatened massacre in ancient Persia.

How the events chronicled in the Book of Esther inspired a holiday.

The Scroll of Esther, which tells the Purim story, is chanted in synagogue twice on Purim.