Purim

Purim

Purim, similar to Hanukkah, is one of the most joyful of the Jewish holidays. As in The Book of Esther (dated to the 4th century BCE), Purim commemorates the event when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from certain death plotted by Haman the Agagite who had cast "Purim" or lots (lottery) to determine the day of extermination. According to the Hebrew calendar, Purim celebration begins at sundown on the 14th day of Adar, the day following the victory of the Jews over their enemies.

The story is that a beautiful young Jewish woman named Esther and her cousin Mordecai lived in Persia. The King of Persia loved Esther more than any other woman in his harem and made Esther queen. However, the king was unaware that Esther was Jewish. Haman detested Mordecai because he refused to bow down to him and convinced the king that all Jews should be killed. It was the plan of Haman to destroy the Jewish people. Esther was persuaded by her cousin to address the king and beseech him to spare the Jewish people. The King of Persia, so smitten with Esther, granted her wish. The Jewish people, now given their lives, also were bestowed the authority to destroy their enemies. Hence, Purim is celebrated around the world with grateful rejoicing, feasting, and (most importantly) the celebration of survival.

The Fast of Esther is a minor one, acknowledging Queen Esther's three day fast prior to her encounter with the King of Persia. Part of the synagogue service is reading out of the book of Esther, chiefly known as the Megillah (scroll). The service also includes boisterous booing, hissing, the stamping of feet, and the rattle of gragers (noisemakers) whenever Haman's name is mentioned. It is an occasion on which clamor and rowdy behavior is allowed. To add to the levity, some prayer leaders will sing prayers that would be considered off limits any other time within the synagogue.

In addition, Jewish people give gifts of food and drink, and donate to favorite charities as part of the celebration. Each Jew must give out two separate, prepared foods to one friend, and two donations (either money or an edible treat) to two people in need. The gifts to friends or "sending of portions" is called Mishloach Manot, and should include wine, pastries and other sweets, or salads. Ashkenazi Jews give triangular fruit-cookies shaped in three-corners to represent Haman's hat called Hamantaschen. For some, Purim has turned into a leading event of the handing-out of gifts. Many Jewish schools, charitable organizations, and synagogues get into the Purim spirit by turning the holiday into a fund-raising effort. However, in the synagogue the money raised is only distributed among the needy.

The holiday also includes eating a festive meal and the drinking of much wine. It is traditional to serve seeds and nuts as the Talmud says this is what Queen Esther ate when she lacked kosher foods in the king's palace. A traditional dish on the Purim menu is called Kreplach, which is similar to a dumpling and generously filled with cooked chicken, meat, or liver then served soup-style.

Purim is usually celebrated in March. However, in 2010 (Jewish Year 5770) the day fell on sunset February 27 to nightfall the 28. In 2011 (Jewish Year 5771), Purim will fall on sunset March 19 until nightfall March 20. It is customary to hold carnival-like, festive celebrations on Purim, to take part in comedic and satirical plays, to hold contests, and participate in Queen Esther and Mordecai pageants known as "masquerading in costumes." There are songs (Ani Purim) and puppetry especially for the children. The puppets are fashioned after Mordecai, Esther, Ahasuerus, and Haman. The disguise portion of the celebration is based on Esther keeping her Judaism a secret from the king and was first introduced by Italian Jews around the close of the 15th century. In 18th century Romania and other parts of Eastern Europe, the broad-ranging satires with music and dance became the precursors to Yiddish theater. Throughout the centuries, many Jewish families also hold "family Purims" observed at home to honor "escape" from any type of misfortune that may have befallen them during the year.