Purim Story part 2

King Achashverosh appointed Haman as his Chief Adviser. 

Haman felt so proud. Wherever he went he would expect everyone to respect him by bowing to him. Rabbi Mordechai knew that he could only bow to Hashem and politely explained to Haman that he only bows to the One and only Hashem. This infuriated Haman and made him feel small. He thought of plan as to how he can rid of Mordechai and the Jews who behave just like him. Haman went to the king and told him how the Jewish people are no good for his kingdom. He asked the king for permission to get rid of all the Jews. The king was more than happy to follow along with Hamans plan. He gave Haman his signet ring to show the king agrees with Haman's plans. He will use the ring to stamp all the letters going out to the entire kingdom letting everyone know that on the 13th day of the month of Adar they will need to help to rid of the Jews.

Moredechai, the leader of the Jewish people heard of Haman's plan and just could not allow that to happen. He realized Hashem had made Esther the Queen for a specific reason. He knew she was in the palace so she can help the Jews in time of need. He went to Queens Esther and told her what Haman plans were. He told her that this was the right time to tell the king that she was a Jewish girl and that Haman wanted to get rid of her, the queen and her people.

Esther was nervous to go and speak with the king since she wasn't called upon by him yet she was strong and brave. She knew she had a mission to fulfill and had to do the right thing. When she went to the king to tell him what Mordechai had asked her to say, she didnt feel it was the right time to tell the king her secret, and so instead, she asked the king if he and Haman would like to attend a party with delicious foods that she will prepare for them. They felt honored and gladly accepted.

In the mean time, Rabbi Mordechai, was davening to Hashem together with the Jews asking that He will save them from Haman's plan. They knew that King Achashverosh ruled over the entire world and if Haman will succeed in his plan of getting rid of the Jewish people there will not be a Jewish nation anymore. Mordechai simply could not let that happen.

At the party, Queen Esther used her womanly intuition. She still did not feel it was the right time to let the king in on her secret. Instead, she invited the king and Haman for a second party to which they accepted happily.

After the party that night the king could not sleep. He called in his servant to read him a bed time story from his big book of memories. The servant opened up and read how Mordechai saved the kings life when he overheard two guards speaking of how they wanted to get rid of the king and inherit the throne. 

As the king finished hearing the story, Haman walked in to the king's room. He could not sleep as well. The king asked Haman for his royal advice, "How can I reward someone for doing a great kindness to the King?"

Haman was sure the king was refering to himself and didnt hesitate to answer, "This man should wear the king's crown and clothing while riding on the king's horse and have the towns people parade around him chanting 'this shall be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor.'"

The king loved Haman's advice and told Haman that the next morning Haman should go to Mordechai's house and get him dressed in the king's crown and clothing, help him onto the king's horse and lead the horse while the people chanted.

Do you think Haman was happy with the outcome of these events? No way. However, he had no choice but to obey the king's wishes.

Haman is leading Mordechai on the Kings horse while everyone was chanting, "this shall be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor!"

How do you think Mordechai felt at this time? He felt honored and respected for sure. 

Here is Queen Esther, King Achashverosh, and Haman, and a chef at Esther's second party.

This time, Queen Esther told the king what she had wanted to tell him all along. She carefully told Achashverosh that she was Jewish and if Haman will get rid of the Jewish people, he will be getting rid of the kings' queen along with her people. 

Achashverosh got very upset when he heard this terrible news and immediately ordered that Haman be taken away.

And yes, the Jewish people were victorious. Together with the Jewish people's davening, Mordechai working behind the scenes while Esther bravely did what she needed to do, Hashem did not let the Jewish people down. Hashem loves us and He saved us.

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Activities

Purim is a happy holiday.

Here we are coloring a happy clown for our classroom decor.

"Team work makes a dream work!"

The girls cut and painted a Queen Esther that we hung on the bulletin board.

We discussed how we can be just like Queen Esther by being brave, helping others, and caring for others.

The boys cut and painted Rabbi Mordechai that we hung up on the bulletin board.

We discussed how we can be brave and kind just like Mordechai and do the right thing even though it may be easier at times not to and ignore a problem.

Purim Puppet Show :)