Esther
In Susa, King Xerxes banishes Vashti and seeks a new queen. Esther, a Jewish woman, is summoned to court. Vashti plots to poison Xerxes, but Mordecai uncovers the plan. Haman and his wife Zeresh persuade Xerxes to issue an edict to exterminate the Jews because Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman. Mordecai asks the now-queen Esther to intercede, though approaching the king unbidden risks death. Xerxes receives her and grants a request. At a banquet, Esther reveals she is Jewish and demands Haman and his sons be hanged; she also secures permission for the Jews to defend themselves. The Jewish people survive and celebrate.