Esther defending her people.

Leading characters of Megillat Ester
A great catastrophe would come upon the Jews. Instead of the long-awaited redemption, the Jews would be confronted with Haman's own version of a “final solution”. As a descendant of Amalek, Haman did everything in his power to dissuade king Achashverosh from allowing the Jews to rebuild the Temple……. “There was a Jewish man in Shushan…” could mean that Mordekhai was a Jew who was fully observant of the Torah no matter where he was, whether in the privacy of his home or in the king's palace. Mordekhai refused to bow to Haman, he did so again in full view, “in the king's gate.” Esther, cousin of Mordekhai walked before Hashem obedient, humble, modest and devout, even in surroundings that afforded her no easy path for remaining faithful to the Torah……

Mission impossible?
Haman and the king sat down, drunk and celebrated the future genocide of the Jews, but the city of Shushan was thrown into consternation and mourning. The Jews cried in public and wailed loudly while the Persians rejoiced at the new decree. Finally Ester responded to Mordecai ‘Go, assemble all the Jews to be found in Shushan and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I, with my maids, will fast also. Then I will go in to the King though it’s unlawful. And if I perish, I perish’. (4:16,17 – 5:8)
‘Again Esther spoke to the king, she fell at his feet and begged him with tears to avert the evil intention of Haman the Agagi and his scheme which he had against the Jews. The king extended the gold scepter toward Ester. So Ester got up and stood in front of the king'’ (8:3,4)

Esther defended her people
Esther, an orphan in exile, hid her Jewish identity, married with a gentile king, was fasting, begging, mourning and wailing for her people……… When I try to understand the wrestling of Esther, I think that before she went to the king, Ester turned first of all to Hashem in prayer and repentance to transform this dead-struggle into a complete redemption. ‘…G-d in his holy dwelling, is a father to orphans and defender of widows..’ ‘.. for you are our father, our redeemer of old is your name..’(Ps 68:6;Jes 63:16) Esther knew the Torah ‘Yet in spite of all that, I will not reject them when they are  in the lands of their enemies, nor will I loathe them to the point of utterly destroying them and thus break my covenant with them, because I am Hashem their G-d’. (Lev 26:44) Will the king extend the gold scepter to Esther or will she be put to dead? Esther arrived at the inner court facing the king and stood before him.  And when he noticed Esther standing in front of him, he was furiously angry, because she had broken his law by coming before him without being called. Esther grew frightened … but Hashem gave her grace in the king’s eyes…. for the battle and victory is from Hashem!

The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor
Then the city of Shushan was cheerful and glad. ‘Your word is a lamp for my foot and a light on my path’. Remember, they received the Torah at Mount Sinaï. (Ps 19,119:105, Ex 19:17) ‘The Torah of Hashem is perfect, restoring the inner person, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes’. This is really a celebration of the miracle of the magnificent deliverance! It was Mordekhai’s aim to establish Purim as a festival so that the Jews would never forget their    G-d!

‘Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy. He who goes out weeping as he carries his sack of seed will come home with cries of joy as he carries his sheaves of grain’.
.. You turned my mourning into dancing! You removed my sackcloth and cloth me with joy, so that my well-being can praise you and not be silent; Hashem my G-d, I will thank you forever!’ (Ps 30:11,126:5,6)

Dance for Purim
The title of the song is “Melech Ozer” written by Rabbi Stuart Dauermann  1972.
The songtekst in Hebrew is: ‘Melech ozer umoshieá umagen. Melech ozer umoshieá umagen. Baruch ata Adonai, Baruch ata Adonai, magen Avraham. Baruch ata Adonai, Baruch ata Adonai, magen Avraham’.

The choreography is introduced by Elze Erwteman, general leader of the Davidic Dance ministry Beth Yeshua Amsterdam.  Chag Purim sameach and shalom, Caroline Maas

MELECH OZER                    
              
Speed             Medium                      Abbreviations:
Rhythm        4/4                    CW    Clock Wise
Formation   Circle                     HH     Holding Hands
Direction     CW                     NHH    No Holding Hands
                             BWD   Backwards
FWD    Forward                     
Counts     Part A     Melech ozer umoshieá umagen
1 – 4         HH Maim to the L  ( R – L – R –L)       
5 – 8        balance on right foot, then 3 point turn to the left (L, R, L)   
        Repeat Part A   

Counts     Part B     Baruch ata Adonai, Baruch ata Adonai, magen Avraham
1 – 4         Yemenite to R    hop and clap two times.               
5 – 8         Yemenite to L hop and clap two times
1 – 4         HH Balance start on R (R – L – R – L)
5 – 8         Mayim to the L  ( R – L – R –L)   
        Repeat Part B
                 
Verbal Cueing   

Counts     Part A
1 – 4         Front – Side – Behind – Side
5 – 8         Right – Turn – Two – Three
        Repeat Part A

Counts     Part B
1 – 4         Right – Behind – Front – Hop
5 – 8         Left – Behind – Front – Hop
1 – 4         Right – Left – Right – Left
5 – 8         Front – Side – Behind – Side
        Repeat Part B