A long time ago in the Persian far east
A King named Ahasuherus gave a great feast.
He wanted Queen Vashti to dance for his friends,
But she refused to perform and her reign quickly ends.
When he realizes the loss of not having a Queen
He goes about getting a new one for the scene.
He called for young girls to be brought to his place
So he could choose one with a beautiful face.
A Jewish young woman lived in the city
Everyone knew that Hadassah was pretty
Uncle Mordechai, a Jewish man too,
Came up with a plan so they would know what to do.
When the King’s men came to Susa one morning,
Mordechai gave Hadassah a serious warning:
“Don’t let anyone know that you are a Jew
We must keep this secret between us two.
Your name will be Esther, Persian for ‘star’
No matter what happens remain the person you are.”
Esther and her servants all did their duty
Baths in special oils to enhance her beauty.
The time came for Esther to meet the King
When she went to see him she didn’t take anything.
The King fell in love with Esther the ‘star’
Her radiance was more than any so far
Her heart was so different from any he’d seen
That he crowned Esther his special new Queen.
Mordechai heard of a plan to poison the King
He told palace friends about the bad scheme.
He saved the life of Ahasuherus that day
But created an enemy in another way.
In the King’s court was a man named Haman
Who wanted everyone to bow and say, ‘Hey Man!’
Mordechai refused to bow as Haman rode by.
His G-d is HaShem not a man riding high.
He stood straight and tall firm in his belief
Refusing to honor ‘the mean’ Haman chief.
To destroy Mordechai, the honorable Jew
Haman ‘the mean’ planned something quite shrewd.
He threw out some ‘lots’ to choose a date for his war
The day and the month was the 13th Adar
He sealed the decree with the King’s signet ring
And smiled at the thought of the deaths it would bring.
Mordechai found out about the death threat
But, he wasn’t ready to be dead yet
He asked Esther to talk to the King
But she said it would be too frightening.
Mordechai told her there was a great plan
To save every Jewish tribe and clan.
“For such a time as this” you have come to be Queen
To save our people from Haman ‘the mean.’”
She wanted the people to pray and fast
Her Uncle went and did what she asked
She prayed and fasted three days and nights
Then prepared to tell the King of her plight.
The humble Queen Esther entered the court
Hoping the King would not cut her life short.
He loved her so much he held out his rod
Accepted her invite with his own special nod.
Esther’s first feast Haman ‘the mean’ found amusing.
The King found the second invite very confusing.
It interrupted his sleep so he read about one
Who saved his life and needed a ‘Well done!’
The King asked advice of Haman ‘the mean’
Who suggested something that would make himself seen.
The King told Haman to run and to do
Everything he suggested for Mordechai, the Jew.
Dressed in the king’s robes he rode the royal horse
With Haman ‘the mean’ yelling tribute until he was hoarse.
While the King and Haman enjoyed a second meal
Esther told the King about ‘mean’ Haman’s deal.
The Jews she told him were destined to perish
And she was one of them, the Queen that he cherished.
The King became angry that Haman would kill
Those in his Kingdom who were full of goodwill
He got rid of ‘mean’ Haman and took back his ring
And gave it to Mordechai who had saved the King.
Using the power of the King’s signet seal
Mordechai the Jew created a new deal.
This one allowed the Jews to fight
So they could remain alive and all right.
We thank the King who loved the Jews
And cheer for Mordechai who won his due.
We “oooh” and “ahhhh” for Esther the Queen
And always we ‘boo’ Haman ‘the mean.’
Mordechai the Jew and Esther the Queen
Set aside this day and called it Purim.
We celebrate the victory and take food to the poor
And eat Hamentashen, may I please have one more?
Happy Purim!