Sorrow To Gladness
Continued from Page L-1
Noisemakers, stamping of feet,
growling, the banging of pots and
pans, have all been part of that
effort.
As part of the carnival spirit,
the wearing of costumes and masks
has become commonplace as
young and old join in the frivolity
and merrymaking. In Israel, the Ad-
lo-yada carnival became very
popular, taking its name from the
Talmudic injunction that on Purim
one should drink intoxicants until
one "did not know" (ad-lo-yada), the
difference between "blessed is
Mordechai and cursed is Haman."
The Purim "shpiel" or skit was a
common feature of the shtetl and of
Medieval Europe, as actors in
costume play-acted various versions
of the Purim story. In modern times,
religious school students have
portrayed the Purim saga re-set in
the Old West, in outer space, in
Gilbert and Sullivan's Japan, and in
all kinds of exotic locales and times.
Purim, however, has been a
great favorite among the Jewish
people from earliest times, even
during the days of the Second
Temple. In fact, there is evidence
that the celebration of Purim
displaced and supplanted another
popular Jewish holiday, which
celebrated a great victory by the
Maccabees over the Greek general
Nicanor. So popular was Purim, that
some of the sages of the Talmud
wrote, that even after the coming of
the Messiah, when many of the
holidays may no longer be
celebrated, only Purim will remain.
Purim has been the centerpiece
for celebrations in literature and art,
in short stories and poetry, in
Midrash and dramatics, in music
and in humor. It has provided
themes for parties, has been the
focus of religious school .
assemblies, it has provided a
rationale for carnivals and
costuming, and it has been an
excuse for eating delicious pastries
filled with all kinds of good things to
eat (hamantashen). It enjoins Jewish
people everywhere to send little
gifts of food to their friends and
neighbors (shalach manot), and to
contribute to the poor so that they,
too can join in the festive spirit
(Matanot La-evyonim). It moves
children onto center stage in
synagogues and temples, and gives
them the opportunity to make noise
during services (what a rare treat!).
For all this, we shall be forever
grateful to Esther and Mordechai,
who each year go forth to do battle
against the forces of evil, and who
each year emerge triumphant from
the ordeal. Long may their victory
be remembered, and long may their
courage be celebrated. For "when
Purim comes, all troubles are
forgotten."
Purim Treats
Here are six fun things you might find in a Shalach Manot Basket. Work one square at a time. Write
down plus letters. Cross out the minus ones and you can discover what surprises might be waiting for you!
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ba
bes Parsha, Purim Cause for Discussion
The Sidra Tetzaveh opens with
a commandment relating to the
daily functioning of the Tabernacle
as a place of worship: "And thou
shalt command the children of
Israel, that they bring into thee pure
olive oil beaten for the light, to
cause a lamp to burn continually."
Which grade of olive oil was
permissible for the use in the
menorah?
When the month of Adar
approaches, the city of Tel Aviv
undergoes a magical change. Purim
is coming and the voice of the
merrymakers is heard in the land.
Purim is celebrated all over Israel,
but especially in Tel Aviv. Jerusalem
has its pilgrim festivals. Meron
rejoices over Lag B'Omer! Modin
has Chanukah. Tel Aviv is the city of
Purim and he who has not
celebrated Purim in Tel Aviv has not
known true Purim joy!
What is Adloyada?
What is the meaning of the
word: Purim?
—Submitted by
Ofra Fisher,
Acting Director,
United Hebrew Schools
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
L 3
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