The everlasting saga of the Jewish people seems to reflect this oversimplified summary of Jewish history: they hate us; they want to destroy us; God and a hero or two come to our aid; we win! Let's eat! The story of Purim is at once this and yet so much more.

Megillat Esther is a mixture of truth and fantasy, fun and irreverence. The truth of the holiday is seen in the theme of oppression, persecution and extermination. Jewish communities around the world held on to such strange notions such as there is one God, Creator of all peoples and everything that exists. No other ancient pagan nation wants to hear that their "god" is not the supreme one of the world. These societies depended on their gods beating other gods. Not so in Judaism. We reflected through our vision of Deity that which unites the world and all its people. That has brought the wrath of many a Haman upon us. And yet, here we are!

Everything in the story feels like an exaggeration: 127 provinces ruled by the king; 180 day banquet; all the people of the capitol attended, couches of gold, silver on pavements of marble, alabaster, mother-of-pearl and mosaics; golden goblets for each guest, an open bar—you get the picture. This sounds more like the One Hundred and One Tales of the Arabian Nights than a true biblical story. But, if we look at the age of those early Genesis characters, perhaps Purim is not as tall a tale any more.

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The fun and irreverence of the Esther Megillah comes in many styles. We have a king who is overly influenced by his advisors, his minister and his queens. It is as if this head of state has no opinion about anything other than Esther's beauty and sex appeal. The opulence described shows off the outward glitter of a court that has no substance. Ironically, too, Haman is destined to honor the one he wished to dishonor and then is betrayed by the one he wished to betray. The villain sits down to feast as the news of the destruction of the Jews circulates throughout the Shushan capitol. The end of the story finds the Jewish people feasting as they recall their victory over the evil decree of Haman. Mord'chai begins in sackcloth and ashes, ends with robes of royalty. Esther starts her career as a beauty contestant with little substance and with little to say until she rises to become queen and finds her voice to save her people.

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Don't get tongue-tied on Hapart'mim, Hanimtz'im and Achashdarp'ney-hamelech. The seven advisers close to the king are Karsh'na, Sheytar, Admata, Tarshish, Meres Mars'na, and M'muchan Achashverosh, Now that you have these well practiced, try to say the names of Haman's ten sons in one breath, as is the tradition. Ready, begin: Parshandata, Dalfon, Aspata, Porata, Aldalya, Aridata, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Y'zata. Well done!

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• Monday evening, March 9 begins our observance of the Mitzvot of Purim:

• Hearing the wondrous M'gila story of the heroism of Esther and Mord'chai and the survival of our people once again.

• Having fun on this day is our reaction to adversity - life most go on, sadness replaced by joy, ash-cloth becomes robes of purple.

• Sending food gifts to each other and giving Tz'daka to the poor are hallmarks of the observance of this jolly day.

• Finally, we comply with the age old custom of gathering family and friends around and exclaim, "Let's eat!"

Chag Purim Sameyach! .