Teaching:

Read the children the story of Esther:

The story relates the downfall of the vicious anti-semite Haman, a descendent of Amalek, the traditional enemy of the Hebrew. As Prime Minister of ancient Persia, around 2300 years ago, he sought to murder all the Yisraelites of that land. Events happen such that Haman himself plays a crucial role in the coronation of Queen Esther, after the former Queen Vashti was banished. No one realizes that Esther is a Hebrew. Haman who has become a powerful man in the kingdom, is upset that Mordechai does not bow down to him. He succeeds in getting King Achashverosh (also known as Xerxes) to authorize a royal decree to annihilate an unspecified nation he claims is an enemy of the King. Initially, he does not identify the nation so that the King can later claim that he did not know that the decree was against the Yisraelites. Haman casts lots (called PUR) to determine the day this was to happen. Mordechai and Esther lead the Hebrews in a return to Hashem, through Prayer and Fasting. Esther invites the King and Haman to join her for dinner, and in response to the king's offer of "half my kingdom for your wishes," all she asks is they come again tomorrow to another dinner "and I'll tell you then." (She’ll reveal the reason for her invitation). We then find Haman working through the night to construct a gallows upon which to hang Mordechai. At daybreak, he will appear before the King to denounce Mordechai. Unknown to Haman, the King had not slept the night before, suspecting a coup led by Haman. In desperation to get some sleep, he had asked his servants to read from the Royal Chronicles. The Book opens to a long forgotten story of how Mordechai discovered an assassination plot by two royal servants against the King. At the exact moment the King is inquiring whether Mordechai was rewarded for his loyalty, who should appear, but Haman. Before getting a chance to make his request to hang Mordechai, Haman is ordered by the King to parade Mordechai through the capital city in royal garments on a royal horse while proclaiming "This is what is done to the man the King wishes to honor." Immediately afterwards, a crestfallen Haman is whisked to the second Royal dinner, hosted by Esther. At the dinner she reveals to the King that she is Jewish and that Haman, is an enemy of the King because he seeks to destroy the Jewish people. The embarrassed and angry King storms out of the room. Haman pleads to Esther for his life. He "somehow" loses his balance and falls on the couch where Esther is reclining. The King comes back at just this moment. He is very upset and blows up. On the spot, Charvona, a royal minister tells the King about the gallows Haman constructed for Mordechai, who saved the King's life. The King orders Haman to be hanged on the gallows intended for Mordechai. The King elevates Mordechai to Haman's recently vacated position. Mordechai issues orders, with the King's permission, allowing the Hebrews to fight against their enemies. On the thirteenth and fourteenth days of Adar the Yisraelites won tremendous victories and were saved from the threat of total annihilation. Since that time, we celebrate Purim.

Singing:

The following two songs are traditional Purim songs. They can be sung in English or Hebrew. Log onto www.aish.com to hear or download the tunes

1) Chag Purim, Chag Purim, chag gadol la Yehudim. Masechot v'raashanim, zemirot v'rakadim.

Hava narisha, raash, raash, raash. Hava narisha - raash, raash, raash - b'raashanim.

The festival of Purim, the festival of Purim, a great festival for the Jews. Masks and noisemakers, songs and dancing. Let's make noise - noise, noise, noise - with noisemakers.

Purim day, Purim day. What a happy holiday.
Wear a mask, wear a crown. Dancing all around.
Round go the groggers, rash, rash, rash! (3x)
On Purim day!

2) U Mordechai yatza mi'lifnay hamelech bi'levush malchus, v'ateres zahav.

And Mordechai went out from the King in royal clothes, and a golden crown.

Purim Song: (Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It)

If you hear the name of Haman stomp your feet. (stomp feet twice) repeat If you hear the name of Haman, if you hear the name of Haman, if you hear the name of Haman stomp your feet (stomp feet twice)

If you hear the name of Esther clap your hands......

If you hear the name of Mordecai shout hooray....

Haaman’s Song
My hat it has three corners, three corners has my hat and had it not three corners it would not be my hat. Use hand motions. My--point to yourself, Hat-touch head, three--put up three fingers, corners--touch elbow. Each time you sing the song leave out a word and just use the hand motion. First leave out my, then hat, then three, then corners. Finish by singing the complete song again.

P-U-R-I-M

(To the tune of Bingo)

There is a holy day that I love and Purim is its name-o. P-U-R-I-M, P-U-R-I-M, P-U-R-I-M and Purim is its name-o.

Activity:

Show the VeggieTales video “Esther.” Explain to the children about how VeggieTales will not use the Sacred Names. After the movie involve the children in a story about Esther. Ask them questions about the story and involve them in a conversation about YHWH’s protection.

Activity:

Make a Purim Poster
Need:

copies of pages

glue

scissors

poster board

Print the following pages that have pictures of the Purim characters. Have the children color the pages. Cut the characters out and glue them onto the poster board. Display the board and talk about the story.

Activity:

Make a Purim Grogger
Place 2 Dixie Cups with the openings facing each other. Put beans or marbles inside. Securly tape and decorate. This makes a nice sized, no handle grogger.

Activity:

Make a crown to honor queen Esther.

Need for one crown:
Scissors, 1 sheet yellow or gold construction paper
Paper punch
1 yard gold yarn
all-purpose white glue
silver or gold glitter

Use the scissors and cut a zig-zag across the paper to make two serrated strips. Wrap one of the strips around your child’s head and trim to fit. Use a paper punch to make a hole at either end. Tie an 18-inch piece of yarn in each hole. Lay the crown flat and drizzle glue all over it. If the child is too young, you can do this task. Sprinkle glitter on the wet glue. Let dry completely before wearing. To wear, tie the crown around your child’s head and tie the yarn in a bow so that the crown fits snugly.