🎭What is Purim?
What Is Purim
A joyful Jewish holiday celebrated on the 14th of Adar (March 13-14 this year) commemorating the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman's plot to destroy them, as recorded in the Book of Esther.
📜 The Whole Megillah
🕵️♂️A Time of Concealment.
The Persian Empire of the 4th century BCE extended over 127 lands, and all the Jews were its subjects. When King Ahasuerus executed Queen Vashti, for failing to follow his orders, he arranged a beauty pageant to find a new queen. A Jewish girl, Esther, found favor in his eyes and became the new queen, though she refused to divulge her nationality. Meanwhile, Haman (who hated Jews) became prime minister and plotted genocide when Mordechai (Esther's cousin) refused to bow to him.
🙏 The Salvation
Mordechai led the Jews in repentance, fasting, and prayer. Esther invited the king and Haman to feasts where she revealed her Jewish identity. Haman was hanged, Mordechai became prime minister, and Jews were granted the right to defend themselves.
How to Celebrate
"Purim" means "lots" in ancient Persian. The holiday gets its name because Haman cast lots to determine when to execute his evil plan. The theme of the lot underscores the topsy-turvy and transcendent nature of the day
What’s in a name?
📜 Reading the Megillah (Esther scroll) twice - evening and daytime
💰 Charitable gifts to at least two people in need.
🎁 Sending food packages (minimum two types) to at least one friend
🍷 A festive meal typically featuring wine and celebration
🕯️ What To DO
Purim has an unmatched spirit of liveliness in the Jewish calendar. Children and adults typically dress in costumes. Traditional foods include hamantaschen (in Hebreoznay Haman) - three-cornered pastries with sweet filling.
🎉 Fun Traditions
Purim celebrates God's intimate involvement in every aspect of the world, even when not obvious. The holiday also commemorates a spiritual revival among Jews who recommitted to their faith voluntarily, even while scattered among the Persian people.