Abihail

But when she entered the royal harem, she received the name by which we know her, Esther.

She was the daughter of Abihail.

I think I'm saying that right [laughs].

A Benjamite.

So she is Mordecai's cousin.

Kish has Shimei.

Shimei has Geha and Abihail.

Mordecai is Geha's child, and Esther is Abihail's child.

And these days of Purim... should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.

So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote the full authority to confirm the second letter concerning Purim.

And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of Xerxes' kingdom, words of goodwill and assurance, to establish these days of Purim at their designated times.

And Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regards to their times of fasting and lamentation.

Now we know why Mel Brooks says it's good to be the king, so [laughs] Okay, so it says there, it says, uh, "She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summon her by name.

But when the turn came from Esther, the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle, uh, uh, Abihail, to go to the king, she was asked for nothing other than what Hagai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested." So she's slick, okay? Most women would just be like, "Oh, I want this or I want that, and I know that's gonna handle it." She went to Hagai, who she already knew was she was in favor of.

He's the eunuch that is in charge of the harem, and she basically sat there and said, "So what is he like?" Okay? That's what she did.

She wanted to know what would please the king, so she asked Hagai.

would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die among their descendants.

Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote another letter, putting the Queen's full authority behind Mordecai's letter to establish the Festival of Purim.

Letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the Empire of Xerxes, These letters established the Festival of Purim, an annual celebration of these days at the appointed time decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther.

The people decided to observe this festival just as they had decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the times of fasting and mourning.

And that these days of Purim should never fall into disuse among the Jews, nor should the commemoration of these days cease among their descendants.

Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew gave full written authority, confirming this second letter about Purim.

Letters were sent to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in words of peace and truth, that these days of Purim should be observed at their appointed seasons, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther obligated them, and as they had obligated themselves and their offspring with regard to their fasts and their lamenting.

The command of Esther confirmed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing.

She would never go to the king again unless he especially enjoyed her and requested her by name.

Esther was the daughter of Abihail, who was Mordecai's uncle.

Mordecai had adopted his younger cousin Esther.

When it was Esther's turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Haggai, the eunuch in charge of the harem.

The time came for Esther to go to the king.

Esther, the daughter of Abihail and the cousin of Mordecai, who had adopted her as his daughter.

Esther, admired by everyone who saw her.

When her turn came, she wore just what Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem, advised her to wear.