Queen Esther: Far Away and Long Ago

This episode of Biography tells the story of Queen Esther, and how she saved her people from the first recorded attempt of genocide. Queen Esther's heroic deed is celebrated in the Jewish religion by the annual holiday of Purim. But scholars today disagree on whether the story of Queen Esther's deeds is true, and whether she even existed. Despite scholars' disagreements, Queen Esther has been used as a symbol of hope for the Jewish people from Medieval inquisitions, to modern pogroms, to the horrors of Nazi Germany. Queen Esther: Far Away and Long Ago would be useful for classes on Ancient History, Judaic Studies, Religious History, Women's History and Cultural History. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• Purim
• affirmations
• annihilate
• apex
• benign
• capricious
• deduce
• deposed
• edict
• enigma
• eunuchs
• intrigue
• magnanimous
• precarious
• proclamation
• profound

1. Esther prevented the first recorded attempt of genocide against her people, but other attempts were successful. Why have Jews been so persecuted throughout history? Why have they often been made the scapegoats for a society's ills?

2. The Book of Esther still mystifies and fascinates scholars today. Why does this book of the Bible continue to create controversy?

3. In Nazi Germany, Adolph Hitler forbade the celebration of Purim. Why do you think Hitler did this? Why was he so against this Jewish holiday?

4. Why is the story of Esther so controversial?

5. When King Ahasuerus chose Esther to become his queen, Esther concealed her Jewish identity from him. Why?

6. Haman, chief minister of the king, decided to murder all Jews. Why was Haman so intent on destroying the Jewish population?

7. How did Queen Esther save her people?

8. The story of Queen Esther and her deeds contains elements of satire and plot twists. Identify these literary devices in the story.

9. The Jewish holiday of Purim celebrates the story of Esther. How did this celebration get its name?

1. Divide the class into two sections and moderate a debate concerning the validity of the story of Esther.

2. Create a commemorative memorial that illustrates the influence of the Book of Esther for the survival of Jews in Nazi Germany.

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Air Dates

• January 14, 2005