An exhibition on Purim, one of the most joyous holidays of the Jewish calendar, focusing on its leading character, Queen Esther.
Renaissance works of art and precious parchments tell the story of the Biblical heroine Esther and how she managed to save the Jewish people by foiling the plan laid out by Haman, counsellor to the King of Persia. It is a timeless story that still teaches us very much and which has been celebrated for centuries with banquets, masked gatherings, parties and theatre pieces.
The exhibition is curated by Amedeo Spagnoletto, Olga Melasecchi and Marina Caffiero with the collaboration of Sharon Reichel.
All of the holidays are destined to become obsolete, but Purin will be relevant forever (Yalkut Shimoni, Mishlei, 944) Sefaria dice Yalkut Shimoni on Nach 944:2
The story of Purim is told in the Megillat Esther, the Book of Esther, part of the Biblical canon which is read aloud in the synagogue on the holiday.
In the Megillah, Ahasuerus, King of Persia and Media, prepared a banquet for all the officials and notables of his kingdom. He invited Queen Vashti. who refused to attend as she was preparing a women’s banquet. As a result, Queen Vashti was repudiated and banished from the Court. The most beautiful young women of the country were summoned so that the King could find a new wife. A Jewish girl Esther was selected but had to conceal her Jewish identity to marry Ahasuerus. When Esther became the Queen, she was accompanied and advised by her cousin Mordechai. Conflict soon arose between the latter and Haman, the King’s prime minister who was an arrogant and wicked man. Being aware that Mordechai was Jewish, Haman asked and obtained from the King that all the Jews in the Kingdom be killed, on a day chosen by casting lots.
The thirteenth day of the month of Adar was selected and written instructions to exterminate and destroy all Jews were dispatched. When Mordechai heard about the order, he convinced Queen Esther to speak to King Ahasuerus in defence of their people. Once she overcame the fear of revealing her identity and after fasting for three days, Esther revealed Haman’s evil plan to the King. The story ends with Haman being hanged, the salvation of Jews and the institution of the Holiday of Purim.
Purim Values
Purim is the most joyous of the Jewish festivals, the most loved by children: it is celebrated halfway through the Jewish month of Adar, which falls between February and March. The name comes from the word pur, that means lots (or fate)and the story which is read is about how you can reverse what appeared inevitable, how fate changes and the return to life.
Esther’s is one of the best-known Biblical stories, although the name of the main character is Persian, possibly from the goddess Astarte. However, it could also mean I shall hide to indicate her identity, hidden even to her husband, while harbouring her sense of belonging to the Jewish people alive.
The story is known for the liveliness of the characters, the joyousness of the Festival of Purim and for the eternal truth enshrined in its moral message. Haman, the enemy, has become the prototype of the persecutors of the Jewish people and his fall has always been seen as hope and refuge for an oppressed Jewish people. The book exemplifies the eternal miracle of Jewish survival in a concise and effective manner, and attending the reading of the Book of Esther, is one of the precepts of the holiday. The day also calls for gifts to the needy, sending food to two people, and taking part in a festive banquet.