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Esther

Esther Scroll scribed by Stellina bat Menachem in Venice, 1564. Braginsky Collection, Zurich, Switzerland. The artifact is part of the exhibition “The Girl Who Wrote” between March and September 2026. (Ardon Bar-Hama, Ra'anana/Courtesy of The Braginsky Collection, Zurich)
March 3, 2026, 3:22 pm
Her-storical documents: 2 Esther scrolls copied by female scribes celebrate Jewish resilience
The only two known ancient megillahs written by women are part of a new exhibition at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, whose opening has been postponed due to the Iran war
By Rossella Tercatin
Jews read the Megillat Esther (the Book of Esther) on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in Katzrin, northern Israel, on March 13, 2025. (Michael Giladi/Flash90)
March 2, 2026, 4:44 pm
From Zoom megillahs to sirens during reading, all you need to know about Purim at war
In light of the emergency situation, Israel’s Home Front Command has banned public gatherings, including recitations of the Book of Esther. Leading rabbis weigh in on how to celebrate
By Rossella Tercatin
Rembrandt van Rijn, 'A Jewish Heroine from the Hebrew Bible,' 1632–33. Oil on canvas, 43 x 37 ⅛ in. (109.2 x 94.4 cm). National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, purchased 1953, accession no. 6089. (NGC)
March 12, 2025, 12:53 am
Drawing on Dutch masters, NY exhibit explores Christians painting themselves into Purim parable
Eschewing Persian version, Jewish Museum extends art curation scepter to masters like Rembrandt, who saw Esther’s heroism echoed in their own struggle against Catholic Spain
By Cathryn J. Prince
An Israeli rescue worker holds a scroll found in Antakya, Turkey on Feb. 16, 2023. (IDF Spokesperson)
March 16, 2023, 5:43 pm
How the removal of Jewish scripture from Turkey marred Israel’s rescue operation
ZAKA volunteers brought back and showcased 2 Scrolls of Esther said to be decades old, sparking frenzied allegations of ‘archaeological theft’ in the Turkish media
By Canaan Lidor
Hillel International is leading an effort to get Jews to turn the Fast of Esther into a day to support Ukraine. (Hillel Facebook via JTA)
March 15, 2022, 10:55 am
Hillel and other Jewish groups call for dedication of pre-Purim fast day to Ukraine
International group serving Jewish college students joins move to devote Fast of Esther to delivering spiritual strength to forces defending Ukraine from Russia
By PHILISSA CRAMER
Rep. Madison Cawthorn (Republican - North Carolina) arrives for a House Republican conference meeting in the US Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, D.C., May 12, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via JTA)
October 5, 2021, 7:34 am
Congressman Madison Cawthorn cites ‘Christian principles’ of King David in ad
Republican urges constituents to push government leaders to adopt Christian values he says were shown by figures in Hebrew Bible, including prophet Daniel, Queen Esther
By JTA and ToI Staff
David Seidenberg
March 1, 2018, 2:36 pm
David Seidenberg
The next pageant should select a new Haman
Contemporary politics remind us to stifle any knee-jerk association between evil and ugly
Yael Unterman
March 8, 2017, 7:45 am
Yael Unterman
Esther, heroine for those who must hide
An ode to all who cloak their authentic selves, and a prayer that they find inner connectedness, and a safe place to share
Tzvi Sinensky
March 3, 2017, 2:51 pm
Tzvi Sinensky
Fake news and Purim
A holiday known for hilarity and inebriation celebrates events that heralded an era of unusually rational analysis and literacy
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem, March 6, 2016. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool)
March 24, 2016, 10:07 pm
Netanyahu: Wholesale attacks on Reform Jews ‘unacceptable’
PM condemns Orthodox lawmakers who said movement is destroying Judaism, akin to Purim villain Haman
By JTA
Purim offers some serious reasons for laughter. (Yoel Ben-Avraham/Creative Commons via JTA)
February 23, 2013, 2:59 am
A close call with genocide? That’s hilarious!
With elements of dark humor and screwball comedy, the Purim story is also a bit of a joke
By Dasee Berkowitz
US pop singer Madonna performs during her 'Sticky and Sweet' tour in Tel Aviv, 2009. (photo credit: Amir Meiri/Flash90)
May 25, 2012, 9:17 pm
Madonna arrives in Israel to kick off world tour
Material Girl’s motorcade enters Tel Aviv hotel with guards shielding the superstar from the media; diva expected to visit holy sites ahead of May 31 concert
By Aaron Kalman and AP
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