Who was the Persian queen who saved the Jews?

Who was the Persian queen who saved the Jews? Esther was the Persian queen who saved the Jews from Haman’s planned destruction.

The Book of Esther places the story in the Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus, commonly identified with Xerxes I by many readers. Esther, originally named Hadassah, became queen without initially revealing that she was Jewish. Her guardian and cousin Mordecai later learned of a plot to annihilate the Jews throughout the empire.

Esther risked approaching the king without being summoned, a move that could have cost her life. Through a series of banquets, she exposed Haman’s scheme and identified herself with the threatened Jewish community. The king then ordered Haman’s execution and authorized the Jews to defend themselves.

A common mix-up is confusing Esther with Ruth, Deborah, or Miriam, who are also prominent biblical women but belong to different stories. Esther’s courage is commemorated in Purim, a Jewish festival associated with the casting of lots, or purim, used in Haman’s plan.