• When it occurs: The 14th day of the month
of Adar, which this year begins at sundown,
Monday, Feb. 25, and lasts until sundown,
Tuesday, Feb. 26.
• What it commemorates: How Queen
Esther and Mordechai thwarted the plans of
Haman to kill all the Jews during the reign of
King Ahasuerus of Persia (4th century BCE).
• About the name: Purim means "lots"
(objects used in making a choice by chance,
such as dice). It refers to the lots cast by
Haman to determine the month in which the
Jews would be murdered (Esther 3:7; 9:26).
• Ceremonies and Rituals: The main event of
Purim is the reading of Megillat Esther, or
Scroll of Esther, commonly known as the
megillah (which in Hebrew means scroll). The
day before Purim is Taanit Esther, the Fast of
Esther. This begins in the morning and ends at
sundown, although we do not eat until after
Maariv, the evening prayer service, when Purim
starts.
In most synagogues, the megillah is read dur-
ing the evening service. Some synagogues hold
additional readings after the service. The
megillah also is read in the synagogue the next
morning, during the Shacharit service. Some
synagogues hold further readings later in the
morning. Everyone is obligated to hear the
reading of the megillah, so most congregations
offer various opportunities for it to be heard.
• Celebrating: Begin by going to both the
evening and morning readings of the megillah.
Drown out every mention of Haman's name;
you can boo and hiss or stomp your feet; just
be very quiet otherwise, since one is obligated
to hear every single word of the megillah. You
might also want to use any type of noisemaker;
the traditional kind that spins and makes a
clicking noise is known in Yiddish as a grogger.
One of the main themes of Purim is that
things are not what they seem, which is why
both adults and children dress in costume. -
Purim is a festival of unbridled joy and a day of
fun with skits, practical jokes and general silli-
ness.
• Other Purim Practices: In addition to the
reading of the megillah, we observe three prac-
tices.
1) We send gifts of food to fellow Jews.
Known as mishloach manot in Hebrew (sending
portions) or shlachmoness in Yiddish, these con-
sist of at least two different types of food that
are ready to eat or can be enjoyed with minimal
preparation. •
2) We give money to the poor. The least
amount to be given is the lowest denomination
of currency (thus, one cent), and it must be
given to at least two poor persons. Fortunately,
most of us can afford substantially more, and it
is proper to be generous.
3) We eat a festive meal. On Purim, we
include more wine or liquor than usual with
the meal — enough to make things lively, but
not so much as to be unable to recite the grace
after meals, so don't use this as an excuse to get
really drunk. The repast may extend into the
evening after Purim, but it must begin during
the daylight hours of the holiday.
• Other Rules and Regulations: In the
Shemona Esrei, or Amidah (standing) prayer,
and in Birkat HaMazon (grace after meals), we
include the prayer of Al HaNisim. We do not
recite the Tachanun (penitential) prayer at
morning and afternoon services. Unlike the
major holy days, on Purim all manner of work
is permitted: fires may be kindled, electricity
may be turned on and off, cars may be driven,
etc.
• The Day After Purim: This is known as
Shushan Purim. The Jews of Shushan, Persia's
capital city, did not gain their deliverance until
the 15th of Adar (Esther 9:18). Because
Shushan was a walled city, it became the law
that Jews who live in walled cities or in cities
walled from the time of Joshua, celebrate Purim
on the 15th of Adar. Jerusalem is one such
place. The only place in North America that
qualifies as a walled city is Quebec City,
Canada. El
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