Purim

An examination of the books of the Maccabees, Josephus, the Addenda to the Book of Esther, the Mishnah, the Tosefta, and the Talmud reveals a surprising picture: the story of salvation itself is hardly discussed, while the customs of the holiday, the feast, the procession, and the community occupy the center of attention.

A critical examination of the veracity of the scroll story in the face of the lack of historical references, and a discussion of the meaning of the names Mordecai and Esther and the possible connections to the pagan world of Persia and Babylon.