Monday, September 10, 2018

Chiasm of Purim

Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur.
Esther 9:26

Esth 9:20-32
  A(9:20-22)  
"9:20 Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews, both near and far, in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.(9:20)"   
(וישׁלחספרים)
    B(9:23)    
9:23 The Jews took upon themselves for the future this observance which they instituted at the written direction of Mordecai. (9:23)   
(וקבל)
      C(9:24-26a)      9:26 And so these days have been named Purim after the word pur. (9:26)
    B'(9:26b-28)    
9:27 the inviolable obligation of celebrating these two days every year in the manner prescribed by this letter (9:27)   
(וקבל)
  A'(9:29-32)  
9:30 when Mordecai sent documents concerning peace and security to all the Jews in the hundred and twenty-seven provinces of Ahasuerus' kingdom.(9:30)   
(וישׁלחספרים)
A: To send the document.
B: Enactment of the festival.
C: Purim.