This verse, Esther 9:28, is the culmination of the establishment of the festival of Purim. It emphasizes the permanence and universal observance of the holiday for the Jewish people. Let's break down the meaning:
"and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation...": This establishes the foundational instruction: Purim should not be a one-time event but a recurring, commemorative observance. The words "remembered and kept" suggest both active memorialization (thinking about the events) and concrete observance (following the customs and rituals of the holiday). "Throughout every generation" means it's intended to be passed down from parents to children, continuing indefinitely.
"...every family, every province, and every city...": This highlights the all-encompassing nature of the commandment. It's not just for individuals or certain groups; it's meant to be observed by all Jewish people, regardless of their family background, geographic location (province), or whether they live in a large city or small village. The emphasis is on universal participation.
"...and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor their memory perish from their offspring...": This is the ultimate goal and strongest statement of intent.
"Should not fail from among the Jews" means that the observance of Purim should never cease within the Jewish community. It's a call for continuous celebration and adherence to the traditions.
"Nor their memory perish from their offspring" is a particularly powerful plea. It emphasizes the importance of teaching future generations about the story of Purim, ensuring they understand why they are celebrating and that the memory of the events (Haman's plot, Esther and Mordechai's courage, and the Jewish people's deliverance) is kept alive. It's about preventing historical amnesia and preserving Jewish identity.
In essence, the verse is a firm directive to establish Purim as a permanent fixture in Jewish life, observed universally and passed down through the generations, so that the memory of God's deliverance and the Jewish people's resilience is never forgotten. It's a testament to the importance of remembering history and celebrating survival.
This verse, Esther 9:28, is the culmination of the establishment of the festival of Purim. It emphasizes the permanence and universal observance of the holiday for the Jewish people. Let's break down the meaning:
"and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation...": This establishes the foundational instruction: Purim should not be a one-time event but a recurring, commemorative observance. The words "remembered and kept" suggest both active memorialization (thinking about the events) and concrete observance (following the customs and rituals of the holiday). "Throughout every generation" means it's intended to be passed down from parents to children, continuing indefinitely.
"...every family, every province, and every city...": This highlights the all-encompassing nature of the commandment. It's not just for individuals or certain groups; it's meant to be observed by all Jewish people, regardless of their family background, geographic location (province), or whether they live in a large city or small village. The emphasis is on universal participation.
"...and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor their memory perish from their offspring...": This is the ultimate goal and strongest statement of intent.
"Should not fail from among the Jews" means that the observance of Purim should never cease within the Jewish community. It's a call for continuous celebration and adherence to the traditions.
"Nor their memory perish from their offspring" is a particularly powerful plea. It emphasizes the importance of teaching future generations about the story of Purim, ensuring they understand why they are celebrating and that the memory of the events (Haman's plot, Esther and Mordechai's courage, and the Jewish people's deliverance) is kept alive. It's about preventing historical amnesia and preserving Jewish identity.
In essence, the verse is a firm directive to establish Purim as a permanent fixture in Jewish life, observed universally and passed down through the generations, so that the memory of God's deliverance and the Jewish people's resilience is never forgotten. It's a testament to the importance of remembering history and celebrating survival.