Esther's Iranian tomb draws pilgrims of all religious stripes

Haaretz ^ | 3/22/05 | Helen Eliassian

[freedom44]

Though the holiday of Purim is celebrated by Jews worldwide, the story, based as it is in Persia, has special resonance for the Jews of Iran. Recent decades have proved difficult for Persian Jews, many of whom fled the country after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. From a community of about 100,000, an estimated 25,000 to 35,000 now remain.

This month, Jews from across Iran will pray at a shrine in Hamadan, in northwestern Iran, dedicated to the heroes of the Purim story. They will likely be met upon arrival by Muslims and Christians, who pray year-round at the unusual shrine. The building follows the architecture of emamzadeh ("Islamic shrine"), but has walls adorned with Hebrew inscriptions describing Esther and Mordechai's origins. In fact, it might come as a surprise to learn that the story of Purim has resonance for all Iranians.

Not only was Esther a Jewish queen, but, as the wife of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), she also continues to be revered as a Persian queen and, thus, an icon of national Iranian history.

Though her original name, Hadassah, means "hidden" in Hebrew, she is known as Esther. Scholar and writer Haideh Sahim explains that "Esther" is derived from the Persian word astaar, meaning "star." It is believed that Esther and Mordecai were buried in the shrine at Hamadan, originally called Hegmataneh, in the fifth century B.C.E.

[Guvmint_Cheese]

Anything Christian was unwelcome? I think plenty of Jews have accepted Christian concepts and ideas. Accepting that God had a son is perhaps a bit of a stretch for most Jews, so they're not going to refer to "Domini." You seem to be suggesting that there's some malicious intent in their use of BCE/CE.

[ApplegateRanch]

I understand that it is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of the Lord.

...except in 5 acrostics.

Like Esther's name means "hidden", the Lord's name is also hidden in the book, just as He is hidden in the background, unseen, but still powerfully working for His people.

[Hostage]

Oh I would. They can live with AD and BC and have no need to change history to suit their insecurity.

It's not only a slam, it's revisionism.

[sheik yerbouty]

I really think you have some other purpose in belaboring this. Please excogitate further, if you will.

[sheik yerbouty]

Thanks for the informative post!

[JockoManning]

BTTT

[JohnnyP]

Anyone else see "One Night with the King"? We thought it was pretty good.

[Preachin']

'Anyone else see "One Night with the King"? We thought it was pretty good.'


It was a good movie, but sure did detract greatly from the story.

My main issue with it was that they took the liberty of making the former queen (Vashti) and Esther both anti-war peace activists.

Unless I overlooked it, they also did not show both occasions of Esther having the King and Haman to dinner.

They changed the part of Haman begging for his life, and made it as though he were mocking her instead.

It was a good "movie", but I certainly would not recommend it to anyone who wants the real low down.