What is Purim and when do we celebrate it?
Purim is a joyous festival. It celebrates the story from the Book of Esther in which the Jews of Persia were saved by Queen Esther from destruction at the hands of the evil Haman. The name Purim comes from the Persian word ‘pur’ meaning ‘lot’ (as in ‘lottery’). It recalls that Haman cast lots to determine the day on which he would kill all the Jews.
We celebrate Purim on the 14th of Adar.
How do we celebrate Purim?
READING THE MEGILLAH
At synagogue, we listen to the story of Purim read from the Megillah (Megillat Esther). It is a mitzvah (commandment) to hear the story read in its entirety. Some people even bring their own Megillah scrolls so that they can fill in a word if they miss it in order to fulfil this mitzvah.
Children have noisemakers known as ‘raashanim’ (in Hebrew) or ‘greggers’ (in Yiddish) which they use to make noise to drown out the name of Haman whenever it is read. This noise and tumult adds to the joy and fun of the festival.
EATING A FESTIVE MEAL
It is customary to have a festive meal on the day of Purim (though not on the previous night). It is a mitzvah (good deed) to drink wine and be merry on Purim, even to the point of inebriation.
MISHLOACH MANOT (sending gifts) & MATANOT L’EVIONIM (gifts to the poor)
It is customary on Purim to send gifts to one’s friends, often in festive baskets. Even school children traditionally exchange Mishloach Manot with their friends and prepare gifts to give or send to those less fortunate.
WEARING FANCY DRESS COSTUMES
Since a key theme of Purim is concealment and disguise (Esther hid her Jewishness from the King), dressing up in costume is a favourite Purim custom. In the Diaspora it is mainly children who dress up, but in Israel and in religious communities everyone does it. In Israel on Purim the streets are filled with characters from biblical to TV superheroes and this helps to create the festive mood.
PURIM GAMES
In order to increase the spirit of Purim, special games are played. The Talmud mentions an ancient game called Meshavarta de’Purim, in which wood and tar are burnt in the ground and children then dance around or jump over the bonfire.
EATING PURIM FOODS
A number of foods are customarily eaten on Purim, many of them echoing the theme of concealment. There are hamantashen pastries containing various fillings, as well as foods to remind us of the special diet which Esther followed in the palace to avoid eating non-kosher foods.
Answer the following questions to win a prize:
1. In which country did the Purim story take place?
2. What are ra'ashanim and how are they used?
3. In which Book do we read the story of Purim?
4. List two things which are done to celebrate Purim.
5. What is your favourite dress-up costume for Purim? Why do you like it so much?
