The timing of Israel’s strike, days before the holiday, prompted religious and political figures to invoke themes from the ...

This year, however, I’m thinking less about the more joyous and humorous tones Purim brings and more about trauma.

According to the tradition of the Jews of Persia, after Haman’s downfall, hostility toward the Jews intensified, and Mordechai and Esther left Shushan and wandered north, to the city of Hamadan.

RALEIGH, N.C. (RNS) — Since its inclusion in the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Esther has been embraced in different ways and in ...

Esther’s greatness lies not only in her willingness to speak truth to power, but in choosing the strategic moment to do so.

Esther did not wait for perfect clarity. She fasted. She gathered counsel. She prepared. That balance, preparation without ...

The King, who never realized that Esther was Jewish, is outraged at Haman. He has his minister executed. In subsequent conversations with Esther, Achasverosh grants the Jews the right to self-defense ...