In the events that followed, a Jewish orphan lost any innocence that might have remained. Messengers were sent to the 127 provinces of Persia to bring the most beautiful young women of the land to the King’s summer palace. Before long, wives all over the empire would hear what she had done and would begin despising their husbands.Īfter the king divorced Queen Vashti, the whole Kingdom helped him look for her replacement. Not only had the queen insulted him, she had threatened every home in the land. If the king tolerated this kind of behavior, his counselors insisted, he would jeopardize the social order of the kingdom. To the king’s embarrassment, Vashti the queen said “no.” Her response hit the palace like an earthquake. On the seventh and last day of the royal party, drinks were flowing freely, and the intoxicated king called for the queen to parade her beauty before his drunken guests. For 6 months, the powerful world leader had been showing off his wealth to officials from all corners of the realm.

The king of Persia hosted a great banquet-a 7-day feast that wrapped up 180 days of royal open house. Mordecai-The older cousin and guardian of Esther Haman-The self-absorbed Prime Minister of PersiaĮsther-A Jewish exile destined to be Queen of Persia Place: Shushan (winter palace of Persian kings) Plot: A Jewish orphan living in exile becomes the Queen of Persia and then risks it all to save her people. Her life unfolds like a drama on the stage of history. With noise-makers, costumes, and practical jokes, the nation of Israel celebrates the story of a Jewish orphan who became a Persian Queen and then a hero in the face of racial hatred. The story of Esther is told every Spring at the Festival of Purim. Today she remains the talk and centerpiece of a Jewish holiday.

She was an orphan who hid a family secret until becoming a national champion.

The orphan queen