The BiG Story

believe Amalek was a forefather of
yet another evil leader, Adolf Hitler.
#5) In addition to calling for
Haman's execution, King Ahasureus
ordered the deaths of Haman's 10
sons. Whoever reads Megillat
.Esther to the congregation must
quickly recite the names of the sons,
using only one breath. This is
so that Jews will not have
the opportunity to savor the
moment in which they learn of
deaths, even of their enemy.
#6) Some rabbis may
object, but you
really are sup-
posed to go
out and enjoy
yourself (i.e., drink
alcohol) on Purim. In Israel, this cel-
We Bet You Didn't Know ...
ebrating even has a name: adloyo-
#1) In Shushan, Purim was cele-
do, or "until you don't know (the dif-
brated on the 15th of Adar. The
ference
between Haman and
Jews of Persia were attacked by
Mordechai)."
Haman's forces on the 13th of
#7) There's Purim, there's Shushan
Adar, but the Hamanites were
Purim, and there's Purim Katan ("Lit-
defeated, and the Jews celebrated
tle
Purim.") So what's the latter all
the next day. In Shushan, a walled
about?
The Talmud tells Jews that
city, the fighting lasted until the
we should offer a special blessing
14th and the celebration did not
of gratitude if we have been
take place until the 15th. Maybe
miraculously saved. Throughout
you've heard of Shushan Purim?
history, Jewish communities have
The Purim holiday is observed an
marked numerous "Little Purims" in
extra day by those living in cities,
incidents ranging from a col-
like Shushan, surrounded by a
lapsed school roof with no one
wall. So if you visit Israel around
injured, to surviving attacks by the
Purim time, you can go to holiday
Russian Cossacks. A Purim Katan
celebrations in Tel Aviv on the 14th
is celebrated with prayers and a
of Adar, then check out the Purim
festive meal. Many Jewish families
parties in Jerusalem the very next
also have established their own
day.
tradition of Purim Katan when a
#2) Unlike Rosh Hashanah or
head of the family was saved from
Pesach, Purim is a minor holiday,
certain death.
which means work and driving and
#8) The Purimshpiel is a play or
spending money are all allowed.
poem usually performed at the hol-
There's even a Yiddish saying that,
iday dinner. Copies of such works
roughly translated, says, "A high
have been found from as early as
temperature does not mean serious
the
15th century.
illness; neither is Purim an important
What's To Do?
festival."
C'mon, Get Happy
#3) In ancient times, Purim was
With just two pieces of nice, stur-
known as "The Day of Mordechai."
dy
paper and some crayons, you
#4) Haman was a descendant of
can make great cards to go with
Amalek, who also had tried to
your
mishloach manot gifts.
destroy the Jewish people. Some

Mentioned in Megillat Esther, the
tradition is that we send at least
two immediately edible foods in the
mishloach manor. One of the most
popular of these is hamantashen —
or hamantash if it's just one, named
for Haman's three-cornered hat.
What is the Fast of Esther?
The fast is observed the day before
Purim, beginning at sunrise and end-
ing at sundown. It recalls the fast insti-
tuted by Queen Esther as she consid-
ered the terrible plans Haman had
for the Jewish people. Before appeal-
ing to the king to save the Jews,
Esther fasted herself, then asked the
rabbis to turn to all the Jews in
Shushan, and fast ye for me."

2/26
,.999

66 Detroit Jewish News

Here's what you do:
Design "doors" on one of the
pieces of paper. Make three lines
to form a door, then cut out. (Even if
you insist, "I can't draw!" you can
handle this, so no whining.) Next,
glue this paper to the other sheet,
with the doors swinging open. Be
sure not to get any
glue on the spots
;•.).
behind the doors,
'11 because this is where
A you , re going to make
some fun drawings.
You can write "Happy
Purim!" on each door,
then draw someone
behind every one. Consider
making your family, or Queen
Esther and Mordechai and other
famous figures from the holiday.
You're On W!
You will need:
One half-gallon cardboard
milk carton
scissors
paper
crayons or markers
Begin by folding down the flaps

of the milk carton, then taping them
down at the top. Now you have a
perfect rectangle. Next, cover the
box with paper, preferably a color
light enough so that you can add

channels and other gadgets. Third,
cut a square into the front of the
carton; this is your TV screen (an
exacto knife is great for this; cutting
must be done by an adult). Directly
behind the new screen, on either
two adjacent sides of the milk car-
ton, make narrow slits the same
size as the screen.
Now it's time to begin work on
your program. On a single sheet of
long paper, cut just a tad smaller
than the screen, make pictures to
tell the story of Purim.
Finally, thread the paper through
the two slits and pull through, so
pictures appear on the screen.
Budding thespians, put your talents
to use as you supply voices and
songs for your program. Sound effects
are great, too! (A few ideas: Slowly
tear a Styrofoam plate and it seems
as though wood is being cracked, or
smack the bottoms of shoes [begin
with the heels] together to make the
sound of someone walking).
Direct From Tiffany's
Purim is, of course, the best time
to dress up. And there are no better
- costumes than the ones you
make yourself.
This is a very easy recipe for
clay, using items you already
have around the house. You can
make necklaces or big buttons or
bracelets and other fun stuff and
because the dry dough is very
white, it's great for painting.
(NOTE: You will need to work
on this at least several days in
advance as the dough needs to
dry a long time.)
1 c. cornstarch
2 c. baking soda
1 c. plus 1 T. water
Combine all ingredients and
cook over medium heat until
thick. Let cool slightly before
kneading for a few minutes.
Make your wonderful creations,
then leave to dry for at least two
days. You can make an inexpensive
paint by mixing white glue and dry
•
tempera.