Freeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel Thread ~ HAPPY PURIM ~ March 20, 2011

The Canteen Crew | March 19, 2011 | Serving The Best Troops In The UNIVERSE AND BEYOND!

[Brad’s Gramma]

 

 

 

 

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination.

The story of Purim is told in the Biblical book of Esther. The heroes of the story are Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman living in Persia, and her cousin Mordecai, who raised her as if she were his daughter. Esther was taken to the house of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, to become part of his harem. King Ahasuerus loved Esther more than his other women and made Esther queen, but the king did not know that Esther was a Jew, because Mordecai told her not to reveal her identity.

The villain of the story is Haman, an arrogant, egotistical advisor to the king. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, so Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people. In a speech that is all too familiar to Jews, Haman told the king, "There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your realm. Their laws are different from those of every other people's, and they do not observe the king's laws; therefore it is not befitting the king to tolerate them." Esther 3:8. The king gave the fate of the Jewish people to Haman, to do as he pleased to them. Haman planned to exterminate all of the Jews.

Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. This was a dangerous thing for Esther to do, because anyone who came into the king's presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned. Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself, then went into the king. He welcomed her. Later, she told him of Haman's plot against her people. The Jewish people were saved, and Haman was hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai.

The book of Esther is unusual in that it is the only book of the Bible that does not contain the name of G-d. In fact, it includes virtually no reference to G-d. Mordecai makes a vague reference to the fact that the Jews will be saved by someone else, if not by Esther, but that is the closest the book comes to mentioning G-d. Thus, one important message that can be gained from the story is that G-d often works in ways that are not apparent, in ways that appear to be chance, coincidence or ordinary good luck.

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.

[Jet Jaguar]

HAI

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Military Families, for your service to our country.

John Conlee ~ They Also Serve

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord’s Day to The Mayor family. Thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

Amen

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

*hugs*

I just got back from a fun Purim party. My sisters are noshing hamentashen right now.... :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

To our Military -

Thank you for protecting us. Sleep well and safe.
May you be protected. May your families' hearts be at ease.

Thank you to our Allies.

**********************************

To those of our Military and Allies who gave their all,
- May your souls rest in peace. May your families be comforted.
May your/our country always remember.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Lord’s Day to you, teen...has your weather improved at all?

We are showing more signs of spring, in the daytime. Beautiful, sunny, blue-sky day today. Good for ice chipping.

[oldteen]

has your weather improved at all?

Not yet....today was total rain and VERY windy and cold! I'm sure in hopes it clears up soon!

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours, Nana Hope, and thanks for today's Pledge. Thanks, AfghanMan and Penguin Girl, for your service to America.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy Purim, Deo...

[Kathy in Alaska]

Oh, NO....that means bad allergies, right?

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours, JJ.

[oldteen]

It did today and yesterday!

Absolutely miserable!

[oldteen]

Well, kiddo, I'm hanging it up for tonight.

Have a Blessed Sunday!

Hope to 'see' you tomorrow!

G'night! *hugs*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and sleep tight, teen...*HUGS*...

Hope your rain stops and you start to feel better.

[Cindy]

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -from THE BIBLE: I Corinthians 15:57

Let's Read The Bible: I Corinthians Chapter 15 (Read More...)

[Kathy in Alaska]

God Bless our military men and women who have given their all.

Thanks, unique.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Lord’s Day to you and yours, Cindy...thanks for the link.

[Ladysmith]

Ooh, I know what I’m going to make today!

Happy Purim, everyone!