There is a lot of confusing stuff in Esther 8, describing how legal announcements were made back in that time. The bottom line was a new freedom for the Jews and they found many ways to celebrate (v. 17). If we look over a bit further, in Esther 9:18, we read about the beginning of the Feast of Purim. It was a time of partying and eating. They made sure that even the poor could be a part of it (Esther 9:22). It’s a time of joy that the Jewish community still observes today.
