"And these days will be remembered and joyfully celebrated by every generation, by every family, every country, and every community; and the days of Purim shall never end among the Jewish people, nor their remembrance cease from their offspring." (The Book of Esther, 9:28)

"Purim" is the one of the happiest festivals on the Hebrew calendar. The story, as told during the public reading of the "Megillah Esther," is set in ancient Persia where Esther is forced to wed King Ahasuerus.

The king's advisor, Haman, schemes to have the entire population of Jews killed because they wouldn't bow down to him. Esther, by divine guidance and the help of her cousin Mordecai, uses her influence over the king and reveals Haman's evil plot. The king was so upset, he had Haman hanged on his own gallows, and appointed Mordecai as the new advisor. Esther's faith had saved the entire Jewish population from extermination.