Not a Torah commanded Festival
The festival known as Purim (pronounce it as "Poo-reem") is not one of the Torah commanded feasts found within the listing of Leviticus (Vayikra) chapter 23. Chanukah which is celebrated two months before Purim in the Tenth Scriptural month is also not a Torah commanded "Feast of YHVH ". The other Feasts or Appointed times which YHVH called "My feasts (chaggim) or Appointed Times (moadim)" in Lev (Vayikra) 23, are Appointments that are commanded by our Father for the “children of Yisrael (Israel)” (all Yisrael) to keep.
“All Yisrael” include the grafted-in believers (grafted in as the wild-olive branches, through Messiah Yahshua, into the olive tree of Yisrael – Rom 11). YHVH took the initiative and prescribed for every Feast/appointment what it is about and how it should be kept.
Chanukah and Purim on the other hand, came about within the history of the Yahudim (Jews) and are like memorials of very important history of how YHVH delivered them (the Yuhadim/Jerws). We believe that “feasts” like Purim and Chanukah can be counted as “days of gladness” as we see in Bemidbar/Numbers 10:10 “And in the day of your gladness (simcha), and in your appointed times (Maodim – which are the Torah commanded Festivals), and at the beginning of your months (Rosh Chodesh), you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over your peace offerings….” So although Chanukah and Purim are not Torah-commanded festivals, they are “days of gladness” and both Purim and Chanukah are mentioned in Scripture. The (Jews) promised to keep Purim and Chanukah throughout their generations as Days of gladness and feasting. In that sense they can also be called feasts.
Why do we as Non-Jewish believers then want to celebrate Purim and Chanukah?
"Again, it says, 'Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.'" (Rom 15:10)
As non-Jews we have become part of the commonwealth of Yisrael and specifically the renewed Yisrael (those who have accepted that Yahshua is the promised Messiah; that He is the Lamb of Elohim that laid down His life for us; the Mediator between Elohim and men. This renewed Yisrael consists of Jews (natural branches) and non-Jews (wild-olive branches). Together we are the set apart body of Messiah Yahshua.) So by celebrating the two non-Torah commanded festivals called days of gladness, we are identifying with the Yahudim (Jews). Although these two are non-Torah-commanded Feasts, they both have significant implications (historically, futuristic, physically and spiritually) both for physical Yisrael and renewed Yisrael (those who have come to the Father through Messiah Yahshua His brought forth Son.)
Why we as non Jewish believers in Yahshua HaMashiach, are celebrating the Torah-commanded Festivals as laid out in Vayikra/Lev 23.
Out of obedience to the Eternal’s Torah-commandments, we who are grafted into renewed Yisrael through the blood of Yahshua, keep the Appointments (Feasts) of YHVH our Father, as laid out in Vayikra/Leviticus 23. These ones are called Torah-commanded Festivals (Pesach, Unleavened Bread, Omer Reisheet (the day that the first fruit of the Barley harvest had to be waved before YHVH during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, speaking of Yahshua as the First fruit of the resurrection and immortal body), Shavuot, Yom Teruah (feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot (7 days) and the one-day festival on the Eighth day at the end of Sukkot.) The Torah-commanded Festivals of YHVH portray so wonderfully the whole redemption plan of the Eternal Father.
More about Purim
The Feast of Purim is a historical celebration of victory over foreign oppressors. It is an annual celebration of the defeat of Haman's plan to exterminate the Jewish people in the Persian Empire 2500 years ago. Purim is the celebration of the story told in the book of Estĕr. In this story “tov” (good) and evil struggle as Yisrael faces extermination by the wicked man Haman. Haman plots to kill all the Yahudim (Jews), but this evil plan is stopped by Haḏassah who by now was called by her Babylonian name, Estĕr and her cousin Mordechai. Since that time Hebrews everywhere have celebrated this day of gladness with joy and ruckus!
Before the celebrations on the 14th or 15th of the 12th Scriptural month (Adar), there is traditionally a fast day, called the “Fast of Estĕr”.
"The Fast of Estĕr or “Ta’anit” is a new tradition that has sort of evolved concerning Purim. The day before Purim is observed as a minor fast-day. Participants can fast from sunset (13th of Adar) until the next sunset (14th of the 12th Scriptural month (called Adar since Babylon)), or from sun up to sundown on this day of the 13th of Adar. The fast is a reminder of the three days of fasting that the Hebrew people did before Estĕr went before the King in the First Month, month of the Aviv (called Nisan since they were in Babylon - We see in Ester 3:7 how on the 13th of Nisan, they threw the lot) (this is the First Hebrew or Scriptural month). (Read the story to know more about this in Estĕr 3 and 4. We see in Ester 3:13 that it was on the 13th of Nisan, the First Scriptural month that the runners were sent out with the letters into all the king's provinces. Mordechai heard about it and via him Ester. She then requested the 3day fast.) The nowadays "fast of Estĕr" is nevertheless not observed for a three-day period, as was the case with the original Fast, nor is it observed on the same date. Originally the Fast was observed by Estĕr and the entire people of Israel on the 14th, 15th and 16th of the month of Aviv (the first Hebrew month, also called Nissan since Babylonian captivity). It was immediately after Mordechai was informed of Haman's decree and of the letter of annihilation which Haman wrote on the 13th of Aviv, and Estĕr heard about it, that she called for a three day fast. Our Fast however, is observed on the 13th of Adar, the 12th month (the same month as Purim), in memory of the Fast observed by the Yehudim (Jews) on the day of their mobilization for war against the enemies. The Fast is nevertheless called by the name of Estĕr since it was she who first proposed its observance. (When there is a Thirteenth month added in some years (Adar II), then Purim can be celebrated in Adar II).
When is the Celebration of Purim to take place?
Why is the celebration on the 14th for some and on the 15th for others?
Est 9:19 Therefore the Yehuḏim of the villages who dwelt in the unwalled towns were making the fourteenth day of the month of Aḏar a good day of gladness and feasting, and for sending portions to one another.
So Purim gets celebrated on the 14th day of the 12th month (Adar) by the people in cities without walls.
Est 9:18 But the Yehuḏim who were at Shushan assembled on the thirteenth day, as well as on the fourteenth day. And on the fifteenth day of the month they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
In cities that were walled in the time of Yehoshua (Joshua), Purim is celebrated on the 15th of the 12th month (month of Adar). King Achashverosh lived in the walled capital city of Shushan. The fight against the anti-Semites (those who hate the Yahudim/Jews) took a day longer than in the rural areas. The Yahudim (Jews) who had to fight here in Shushan didn't get to rest and celebrate until the day after those in rural areas. In commemoration of this, the celebrations on the 15th of the 12th month are now known as "Shushan Purim." The Jewish Sages decided that a "city" in this case means a city that had walls (whether they are still standing or not) at the time of Yahoshua (Joshua - Moses' successor). For example, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) celebrates Purim on “Shushan Purim".
We who are living here in South Africa, will celebrate on the 14th of the 12th month (Adar). If the 13th fall on a weekly Shabbat then we don’t do the Esther fast on that day (It is normally then done on the Fifth day of the week).
See if you can read the whole book of Estĕr somewhere in the days before Purim, then you will really enjoy and understand the story so much better.
Let's at least for now, read from the book of Estĕr in chapter 9:20-29
Est 9:20 And Mordeḵai wrote these matters and sent letters to all the Yehuḏim who were in all the provinces of Sovereign Aḥashwĕrosh, both near and far, Est 9:21 to establish among them, to observe the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Aḏar, yearly, Est 9:22 as the days on which the Yehuḏim had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a good day, that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending portions to one another and gifts to the poor (bold letters inserted for better understanding.) Est 9:23 And the Yehuḏim undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordeḵai had written to them, Est 9:24 because Haman, son of Hammeḏatha the Aḡaḡite, the adversary of all the Yehuḏim, had plotted against the Yehuḏim to destroy them, and had cast Pur – that is, the lot – to crush them and to destroy them. Est 9:25 But when she came before the sovereign, he commanded by letter that his evil plot which Haman had plotted against the Yehuḏim should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be impaled on the stake. Est 9:26 Therefore they called these days Purim, after the name Pur. Therefore, because of all the words of this letter, what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had come upon them,
Est 9:27 the Yehuḏim established and imposed it upon themselves and upon their seed and all who should join them, that without fail they should observe these two days every year, according to their writing and at their appointed time, (Insert by us: Through Yahshua, we who are not Yahudim (Jews), have become part of the commonwealth of Israel (Ephes 2 and 3) We are grafted in as the wild olive branches into the Olive tree of Yisrael (Rom 11). Like the people who joined the Yisraelites when they left Egypt, we too started to serve YHVH the true Elohim of Yisrael, following His Torah and leaving behind our pagan mixture practices. So now we identify with the Yahudim (the Jews) in celebrating this Feast)Est 9:28 and that these days should be remembered and observed throughout every generation, every clan, every province, and every city, and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Yehuḏim, and that the remembrance of them should not cease from their seed. Est 9:29 And Sovereigness Estĕr, the daughter of Aḇiḥayil, with Mordeḵai the Yehuḏite, wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter about Purim. (The Scriptures translation).
Traditions of Purim
Judaism teaches four ways to celebrate Purim. Each of these four mitzvah (good deeds) are ways to experience the spirit of the season and the story. They are the reading of Megillat Estĕr (a small torah scroll containing the story of Ester - also played out in drama or/and music. The story of Estĕr can also be watched in the form of a drama-film) have festivity and rejoicing, Shalach Manot (sending gifts), and Matanot L'Evyonim (gifts to the poor). The last three are exactly what Estĕr and Mordechai asked for in their decree. This is a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate being Yisrael.
Let’s look at them one by one
Reading of the Megillah of Estĕr.
“Megillat” or “Megillah” is the Hebrew term for a small Torah scroll on which one book of the Scriptures is written. So the Megillah of Estĕr is pulled open from one side and read aloud on this day.
Reading the Megillat or book of Estĕr is a big part of the day. It is considered a great mitzvah to read the entire book and hear the entire book read on this day. Another tradition is to have a play/musical of the story (or nowadays to watch a film on the story of Estĕr). There are many traditions surrounding this feast. You can adapt them to fit your congregation and family, or start your own.
Reading the Megillat or book of Estĕr is a big part of the day. It is considered a great mitzvah to read the entire book and hear the entire book read on this day. Another tradition is to have a play/musical of the story (or nowadays to watch a film on the story of Estĕr). There are many traditions surrounding this feast. You can adapt them to fit your congregation and family, or start your own.
Feasting - eating and fellowship. Eating is just as important on this day as anything else. For the Jews (Yahudim) it is customary to hold carnival-like celebrations on Purim.
In Judaism, there is a (unscriptural) custom of drinking until intoxication. The Sages said, "A person is obligated to drink on Purim till he no longer knows the difference between cursed is Haman and blessed is Mordechai." This of course is against the Torah of YHVH. It is not at all forbidden in Torah to have wine/strong drink. We know though that we are not to get drunk on strong drink: Ephesians 5:18, And do not be drunk with wine, in which is loose behaviour, but be filled with the Spirit.
Gifts to the poor (verse 22)
Poor people are also remembered on Purim. It is tradition to remember at least two poor people with gifts. These are called “Matanot L'Evyonim” or “gifts to the poor.” The gifts to the poor are given during the day, usually after the reading of the Megillah.
Gifts to one another (verses 19 and 22)
Another tradition is to give gifts to one another on this day (Estĕr 9:19). In Hebrew this is called “Shalach Manot.” For the Jews, presents are part of the fun. If at all possible, these gifts should be sent by messengers, rather than delivered personally because the Megillah uses the word mishloach (sending) for these gifts.
The Gragger (Yiddish for rattle)
When the story of Estĕr is read on Purim it is tradition to interrupt the reading with celebration. Yes, interrupting the reading with noise-making devices at the mention of Haman's name is encouraged. Fifty-four times Haman's name is read in the Megillah, and fifty-four times the congregation erupts in a deafening chorus of "graggers," clanging pots, cap-guns, clapping, booing, and sirens. On the contrary, the congregation can applaud and celebrate when the Hero, Mordechai is mentioned.
Another great way to blot out Haman’s name is to write Haman's name on the soles of your shoes and stamp your feet at every mention of Haman. (The Hebrew word for this noisemaker is ra'ashan, from the word ra'ash, meaning noise.) The custom of the Purim "gragger," was obviously introduced to amuse the children, and so keep up their interest in the reading, as children (over 6) are also required to hear the Megillah.
There is an old joke about summing up this Hebrew feast: "They tried to kill us, we won, let's eat." A big Purim meal is just part of the fun.
This is a festive time to remember YHVH our Father and Elohim through Yahshua haMashiach, and celebrate being YHVH’s special people.
The custom of dressing up in costumes
A Scriptural reason for this custom is that the name of YHVH is never mentioned in the Book of Estĕr. His mighty hand of deliverance is hidden, dressed up in a story of political intrigue.
The events surrounding the Purim story have long since been attributed to divine intervention—and rightfully so. For even though the name of YHVH is not mentioned anywhere within the book, surely it is His mighty hand which delivers the Yahudim (Jewish people) from the evil plot of Haman.
Consider these four “coincidences” (quote Ariel Ben Layman):
1. If Amalak hadn’t aligned themselves against YHVH’s chosen people, the bitter ongoing war with them would not have produced a people who would forever be identified as the “enemies of the Jews” (read Exodus 17:8-15).
2. If king Sha’ul had destroyed all of the Amalakites (whom the sages teach was completely assembled together that day) as YHVH had ordered him to (read 1 Samuel chapter 15), then there would not have even been born a Haman, descendant of that wicked King Agag (see Estĕr 3:1,where we learn that Haman is a descendant of Agag).
3. If Estĕr had not have been in the right place at the right time, the demise of the Yahudim (Jews) might have been certain (read Mordechai’s statement in Estĕr 4:12- 14).
4. If Mordechai had not been in the right place at the right time, the Yahudim’s (Jews’) demise might have been certain (read Estĕr 2:21-23; 6:1-13).
So we see that even though YHVH is not specifically mentioned—surely he was with his people! For, the Elohim we serve does not leave circumstances to chance!
Some more Spiritual insights
"Mordechai the Yuhadite (Jew)
Est 2;20 "…she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up."
Heeding the instructions of our true fathers, the Hebrew prophets and apostles of the Scriptures, will be the mark of the overcoming Bride that will be elevated to the throne in the last days!
Rev 14:12 Here is the endurance of the set-apart ones,1 here are those guarding the commands of Elohim and the belief of יהושע.2 Footnotes: 1In 12:17 they are called “the remnant”
Rev 22:14 “Blessed are those1 doing His commands,2 so that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city. Footnotes: 1See Mt. 19:17. 2
Even in the midst of disobedience (remember that Yahudah was exiled for her gross idolatry; reference the entire book of Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah), YHVH has been guiding, instructing, protecting and leading those who are his own.
This is so prophetic for our day. Many Christians do not see the spiritual aspect behind today's events in Israel (Yisrael). They only see politics. There are many theologians and Bible teachers who claim that today's Israel has nothing to do with the Scriptures. They are blind and cannot discern the hand of the Eternal or the spiritual realities involved. Many Christians also do not yet want to see the mixture of Babylonion worship that has slipped into Christianity. Thank Elohim for his Ruach (Spirit) that is opening eyes and hearts all over the world for His truth. He is busy restoring His Assembly, His people. He is also busy raising up watchmen on the walls of Yerushalayim today! May Estĕr arise and take her place!
The Eternal says in his Word that he is the One who will "make Yerushalayim/Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling." (Zech 12:2) This is exactly what we see today and He has a plan and a purpose behind it all. May we not rest or remain silent until Yerushalayim/Jerusalem becomes the praise of all the earth!
The Prince of Greek and the Prince of Persia
The feast of Chanukah commemorates the victory over the forces of the evil Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes, whereas Purim is an annual reminder of the failure of the Persian Empire to exterminate all Jews. Both of these Feasts have end time significance. We read in the Book of Daniel that the main end time entities in the enemy’s camp will be the prince of Persia and the prince of Greece.
“Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come, but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince. And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.)” (Dan 10:20-11:1)
The Prince of Persia
The “Prince of Persia” is the same demonic power that Daniel was up against in prayer and fasting (Dan 9 and 10) much earlier. This demonic power is the same power which later inspired Haman to decree the annihilation of the Yahudim (Jewish people). Persia is today called Iran. Iran represents the force of fanatical Islam, and their agenda to destroy Yisrael and take over the world for Allah. This is the time for “Estĕr” to arise in cooperation with the wisdom of “Mordechai”. Whereas Iran represents the force of fanatical Islam, the prince of Greece is the power of the West and their globalist agenda. Both are sworn enemies of the state of Israel and Elohim's plan for the Jewish people.
There is a spiritual battle going on in the heavenlies right now. Just like Daniel’s prayers cooperated with angelic forces and brought victory over the prince of Persia and the return of the Jewish people to Tsion we must also pray for Yisrael today.
Esther was instrumental to bring deliverance for the Jews in Persia two thousand five hundred years ago. In the same way YHVH has brought us into the kingdom for such a time as this in order to stand in the gap before the King of kings and pray for Yisrael’s salvation.
The Battle Against Amalek
Haman, who devised the plan in Persia to wipe out the Jewish people 2500 years ago, was a descendant of Amalek. Amalek attacked Israel when they came out of Mitsrayim/Egypt. We read about Amalek in Shemot/Exodus 17:14-16: And יהוה said to Mosheh, “Write this for a remembrance in the book and recite it in the hearing of Yehoshua, that I shall completely blot out the remembrance of Amalĕq from under the heavens.” And Mosheh built an altar and called its name, יהוה Nissi, for he said, “Because a hand is on the throne of Yah, יהוה is to fight against Amalĕq, from generation to generation.”
Based on this passage the Jewish sages say that there will be an Amalek in every generation who will try to destroy the Jewish people. Less than one year after Yasser Arafat died in 2004, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became the President of Iran and immediately began declaring his intention to "wipe Israel off the map."
The passage in Shemot/Exodus 17, tells us that as long as Moshe held up his hands in prayer, Yisrael was victorious in the battle against Amalek. Today there is definitely another Amalek/Haman on the loose again. We must continue pray for Israel daily in the battle they are facing with their enemies.
Tehillim/Psalm 94:16 says,"Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?"
This is a spiritual battle and Paul tells us in
Eph 6:10 For the rest, my brothers, be strong in the Master and in the mightiness of His strength. Eph 6:11 Put on the complete armour of Elohim, for you to have power to stand against the schemes of the devil. Eph 6:12 Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual matters of wickedness in the heavenlies.
Israel's Salvation
Here are nine powerful “I shall” promises by YHVH from Ezekiel 36 regarding Israel’s end time salvation,
Eze 36:24 “And I shall take you from among the gentiles, and I shall gather you out of all lands, and I shall bring you into your own land.
Eze 36:25 “And I shall sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean – from all your filthiness and from all your idols I cleanse you.
Eze 36:26 “And I shall give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. And I shall take the heart of stone out of your flesh, and I shall give you a heart of flesh,
Eze 36:27 and put My Spirit within you1. And I shall cause you to walk in My laws and guard My right-rulings and shall do them. Footnote: 1See 11:19-20, 37:6-14, 39:29.
Eze 36:28 “And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. And you shall be My people, and I shall be your Elohim.
Eze 36:29 “And I shall save you from all your uncleannesses. And I shall call for the grain and increase it, and I shall bring no scarcity of food upon you.
Verse 34 and the land that was laid waste tilled instead of being a ruin before the eyes of all who pass by. “And they shall say, ‘This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Ěden. And the wasted, the deserted, and the destroyed cities are now walled and inhabited.’ “Then the gentiles which are left all around you shall know that I, יהוה, have rebuilt the destroyed places and planted what was laid waste. I, יהוה, have spoken it, and I shall do it.” (Ez 36:24-28, 34-36)
YHVH’s Name will be set apart in the earth
Many times in this powerful passage, YHVH says, "I shall…" In the previous two verses he also explains,
“Therefore say to the house of Yisra’ĕl, ‘Thus said the Master יהוה, “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Yisra’ĕl, but for My set-apart Name’s sake, which you have profaned among the gentiles wherever you went.“And I shall set apart My great Name, which has been profaned among the gentiles, which you have profaned in their midst. And the gentiles shall know that I am יהוה,” declares the Master יהוה, “when I am set-apart in you before their eyes. (Ez 36:22-23)
YHVH’s name will be set apart in the earth through the salvation and restoration of the people of Yisrael/Israel. “And I shall set apart My great Name, which has been profaned among the gentiles, which you have profaned
in their midst. And the gentiles shall know that I am יהוה,” declares the Master יהוה, “when I am set-apart in you before their eyes.” (Ez 36:23)
This was the prayer of Hezekiah when Assyria threatened to conquer Yahudah and Elohim heard his prayer,
“O יהוה of hosts, Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, the One who dwells between the kerubim, You are Elohim, You alone, of all the reigns of the earth. You have made the heavens and earth. “Incline Your ear, O יהוה, and hear. Open Your eyes, O יהוה, and see. And hear all the words of Sanhĕrib, who has sent to reproach the living Elohim. …..“And now, O יהוה our Elohim, save us from his hand, so that all the reigns of the earth know that You are יהוה, You alone.” (Isa 37:16-17,20)
Esther fasted and went before the King on behalf of the Jewish people, risking her own life. Let us go boldly before the Throne of Favour and pray for Yisrael/Israel holding on to Elohim’s mighty promises!
In the end it will be the only True King who will sit on the throne of his father David in Yerushalaiyim. To Yahshua, son of YHVH was given all authority in heaven and on earth by his Father YHVH. Yahshua will come to rule and reign from Yerushalaiyim and the bride with Him.
Estĕr is introduced as the daughter of Abihail. Abihail means "father of strength or might."
Born-again Torah-observant people will make up the Bride. They are sons and daughters of the Most High. And just like it was with Estĕr, the unknown ancestry of the Bride is Jewish and also Hebrew/Hebraic.
The secret to Estĕr's success was that she listened to and submitted to the advice of her wise cousin,
Est 2:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
On that day we say:
“Chag Sameach Purim!”
(Happy Festival of Purim!)
(Compiled by Ina Crowther)