Purim 

Purim: Haman Casts the Lots

PURIM AND URIM

'Purim' comes from the word 'urim', which is one of the ancient mystical methods described in the Torah to communicate with Y-hova [1] in real time through signs. The Urim [2] and Thummim [3], for example, is a method assigned exclusively to the Priests [4]. The Priests also sometimes 'cast lots' to determine, for example, times that each tribe must bring their contributions [5]).

PUR

We are told in Esther 9:24-26 [6] that,

"Haman ... plotted ... to destroy [the Jews] and had cast the 'Pur' [7] (that is, the lot) to consume and annihilate them ... so after that they called these days 'Purim'".

'Pur' comes from the word 'parar' [8], which means to 'break' or 'frustrate'. 'Ur' is a derivative of the word 'or', meaning 'light' [9].

THE CASTING OF LOTS


The casting of lots ('pur') is a similar although different practice to the 'Urim and Thummim'. According to Christian source, Got Questions [10],

"The practice of casting lots occurs most often in connection with the division of the land under Joshua (Joshua chapters 14-21), a procedure that [G-d] instructed the Israelites on several times in the book of Numbers (Numbers 26:55; 33:54; 34:13; 36:2). [G-d] allowed the Israelites to cast lots in order to determine His will for a given situation (Joshua 18:6-10; 1 Chronicles 24:5,31). Various offices and functions in the temple were also determined by lot (1 Chronicles 24:5, 31; 25:8-9; 26:13-14). The sailors on Jonah's ship (Jonah 1:7) ... cast lots to determine who had brought [G-d's] wrath upon their ship. The eleven apostles cast lots to determine who would replace Judas (Acts 1:26). Casting lots eventually became a game people played and made wagers on. This is seen in the Roman soldiers casting lots for Jesus' garments (Matthew 27:35)".

THE VICTORY OF PURIM


In the Book of Esther, Esther successfully asks King Ahasuerus to issue edicts (orders) [11] overruling Haman's authority. On the 13th of Adar, the Jews carry out King Ahasuerus' edict, killing their enemies (Esther 9:5) [12] as well as the ten sons of Haman.

PURIM ESTABLISHED


The next day, "on the 14th [of Adar] [the Jews] rested and made it a day of feasting and joy" (Esther 9:17 [13]). The Jews of Shushan rested on the 15th day (Esther 8:18-9 [14]).

HOW SHOULD WE CELEBRATE PURIM?


In Esther 9:22 [15], Mordechai writes to all the Jews 'near and far', telling them to celebrate both the 14th and 15th of Adar as days of feasting, rejoicing and giving presents to each other and the poor.

Then, in Esther 9:27-28 [16] we are told,

"The Jews established and imposed upon themselves ... that without fail they should celebrate these two days, according to the written instructions and according to the prescribed time each and every year".
Purim is currently celebrated for one day only (on the 14th Adar) although a second day, 'Shushan Purim', is recognised in some locations (such as Jerusalem) on the 15th Adar [17].

CONNECTIONS WITH DANIEL'S VISIONS


I happened to notice some interesting connections between the story of Purim and Daniel's prophetic revelations. For example, the practice of casting lots is mentioned seventy times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament [18] and Daniel's vision in Daniel 9:24-5 [19] mentions 70 weeks and 7 weeks. This begins in Daniel 9:24 and, as mentioned, it is in Esther 9:24 that we are told Haman had cast the 'pur'.

Additionally, in Esther 1:19 [20], Ester asks that the edict be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media [21] and Persia and Media are part of the explanation that the angel Gabriel gives to Daniel about another one of his visions in Daniel 8:20-25 [22].

CHANGES TO LAST YEAR'S POST


In last year's post [23], I mentioned that a day of fasting (as opposed to feasting) had been instituted on the 13th Adar in the 8th century by Pharisaic scholars, to reflect the three days of fasting Esther had suggested when preparing to battle Haman (Esther 4:16) [24]. Sources, however, said the exact origin of this fast was disputed since it could also have been in commemoration of a different battle fought by the Jews on the 13th of Adar at a different time [25].


This year I noticed that II Maccabees 15 discusses a battle in 166-165 BC between the Jews and a wicked Syrian general called Nicanor, who was assigned by Antiochus' regent, Lysias, to destroy Judah and Jerusalem (1 Maccabees 3:32-39) [26]. 1 Maccabees 3:36 [27] says that Lysias intended to divide the land of Judah and Jerusalem by lot.


In II Maccabees 15:14 [28], Nicanor taunts the Jews, who respond to him saying, "the living L-rd Himself, the ruler in heaven, commands us to keep the seventh day".


Later in II Maccabees 15, the Jews go on to kill Nicanor and, "issue a regulation forbidding anyone to forget this day but reminding all to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, called Adar ... the day before Mordecai's day" (II Maccabees 15:36 [29]).


In Daniel 10:1 [30], Daniel famously mourn for three weeks and, of course Ester fasted for three days. Additionally, if we include the 13th Adar, we are required to celebrate around Purim for three days in total (13th - 15th Adar),


May everyday be a success for the Torah! Happy Purim!!

REFERENCES


1. For why I write the name of Y-hova as I do, please see: https://www.israelalia.com/g-ds-name/.

2. 'Urim': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/strongs_224.htm.

3. 'Thummim': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8550.htm.

4. See for example, Exodus 28:30: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/28-30.htm and Numbers 27:18-21: https://biblehub.com/bsb/numbers/27.htm, where Joshua stands before Eleazar the priest who seeks counsel for him with the urim.

5. See for example, Nehemiah 10:34: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/nehemiah/10-34.htm, "we, the priests, the Levites and the people, have cast lots to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood to burn on the altar of Y-hova El-heinu, as it is written in the Law.

6. Esther 9:24: https://biblehub.com/esther/9-24.htm.

7. See: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/pur_6332.htm and https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6332.htm.

8. See 'parar': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6565.htm. 'Pur' has two meanings and can also mean 'to break' or 'bring to nothing', see 'pur': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6331.htm.

9. 'Ur': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/217.htm.

10. Got Questions (Christian source), 'What was the practice of casting lots?': https://www.gotquestions.org/casting-lots.html. Joshua 14: https://biblehub.com/bsb/joshua/14.htm; Numbers 26:55: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/numbers/26-55.htm; Numbers 33:54: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/numbers/33-54.htm; Numbers 34:13: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/numbers/34-13.htm; Numbers 36:2 https://biblehub.com/interlinear/numbers/36-2.htm; Joshua 18:6: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/joshua/18-6.htm; 1 Chronicles 24:5: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_chronicles/24-5.htm; 1 Chronicles 24:31: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_chronicles/24-31.htm; 1 Chronicles 25:8: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_chronicles/25-8.htm; 1 Chronicles 26:13: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_chronicles/26-13.htm; Jonah 1:7: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/jonah/1-7.htm; Acts 1:26: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/acts/1-26.htm; Matthew 27:35: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/matthew/27-35.htm.

11. One edict was issued on the 23rd of the 3rd month (Sivan) and appointed the 13th of the 12th month (Adar) as the day on which the Jews could carry out its terms. The edicts were issued in the province of Shushan. By these edicts, the king permitted the Jews in every city ... to gather together and protect their lives, to destroy and kill and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them and their little children and women and to plunder their possessions, see: Esther 8:11: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/esther/8-11.htm.

12. Esther 9:5: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/esther/9-5.htm.

13. Esther 9:17: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/esther/9-17.htm.

14. Esther 8: https://biblehub.com/bsb/esther/8.htm.

15. Esther 9:22: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/esther/9-22.htm.

16. Esther 9:27: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/esther/9-27.htm.

17. Chabad, 'Two Days of Purim': https://www.chabad.org/.../jewish/Two-Days-of-Purim.htm.

18. Got Questions (Christian source), 'What was the practice of casting lots?': https://www.gotquestions.org/casting-lots.html.

19. Daniel Chapter 9: https://biblehub.com/bsb/daniel/9.htm.

20. Esther 1:19: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/esther/1-19.htm.

21. Daniel 6:8 mentions that the law of Persia and Media was irrevocable and unable to be changed or annulled: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/daniel/6-8.htm.

22. Daniel Chapter 8: https://biblehub.com/bsb/daniel/8.htm. For interest, Gabriel explains, "8:20 The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. 21 The shaggy goat represents the king of Greece and the large horn between his eyes is the first king. 22 The four horns that replaced the broken one represent four kingdoms that will rise from that nation, but will not have the same power. 23 In the latter part of their reign, when the rebellion has reached its full measure, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne. 24 His power will be great, but it will not be his own. He will cause terrible destruction and succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men along with the holy people. 25 Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands".

23. IsraelAlia post on Purim (2021): https://web.facebook.com/IsraelAliaCovenant/photos/4321782924503700.

24. Esther 4:16: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/esther/4-16.htm.

25. See for example, My Jewish Learning, 'The Fast of Esther: A Minor Fast Day': https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-fast-of-esther-a-minor-fast-day/?fbclid=IwAR20eOhQtozWHqV3LlAfIhr8FYTsKC_-L_7651c97DI7O37rUggl29n46O8.

26. I Maccabees 3: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Maccabees+3&version=CEB.

27. I Maccabees 3: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Maccabees+3&version=CEB.

28. II Maccabees 15: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Maccabees+15&version=CEB.

29. II Maccabees 15: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Maccabees+15&version=CEB.

30. Daniel 10:2: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/daniel/10-2.htm.