Cover Story Purim At A Glance WHEN IT HAPPENS: The 14th day of Adar (this leap year, II Adar), which this year corresponds to sundown, Monday, March 17, until sundown, Tuesday, March 18. WHAT IT COMMEMORATES: How Queen Esther and Mordechai thwarted the plans of the evil Haman to kill all the Jews during the reign of King Ahasuerus of ancient Persia (4th century B.C.E.). WHAT THE NAME OF THE HOLIDAY MEANS: 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 to exterminate the Jews (Esther 3:7; 9:26). CEREMONIES AND RITUALS: The main event of Purim is the public reading of Megillat Esther, the Book of Esther (or Scroll of Esther), commonly known as the megillah (which in Hebrew means "scroll"). The day before Purim is Tanit Esther, the fast of Esther. This fast begins in the morning and ends at sundown, although we do not eat until after Maariv, the evening prayer service, when Purim begins. In most synagogues, the megillah is read during 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 (morning prayer service). Some synagogues hold further readings later in the morning. HOW TO CEIFBRAIE: Attend both the evening and morning readings of the megillah. Drown out with sound every mention of Haman's name. You can boo and hiss, or use any type of noisemaker. The traditional type that spins and makes a clicking noise is known by the Yiddish word grogger. One of the main themes of Purim is that things are not as they seem. Accordingly, adults as well as children dress in costume. Purim is a festival of unbridled joy and a day of fun. Humorous skits, practical jokes and general silli- ness are part of the day. Aside from the megillah, we observe three practices: 1) We send gifts of food to fellow Jews. The gifts, known as mishloach manot in Hebrew (sending portions) or shalach manos in Yiddish,•consist 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 minimum amount is the lowest denomi- nation of currency and it must be given to at least two poor persons. Fortunate- ly, most of us can afford substantially more, so it is proper to be generous. 3) We eat a festive meal. On Purim, we include more wine or liquor with the meal than usual, enough to make things lively (but not so much as to be unable to recite the grace after meals). The repast may extend into the evening after Purim, but it must begin during the daylight hours of Purim. This year with Purim falling on a Friday, it goes straight into Shabbat, so it's advisable to conclude the Purim feast during the daylight hours. That's because its proper to eat a festive meal on Shabbat also and the rabbis advise us to enter Shabbat with a good appetite. OTHER RULES AND REGULATIONS INCLUDE: • In the Shemoneh Esrei, or Amidah (standing) prayer), and in Birleat Haltlazon (grace after meals), we include the prayer ofAl HaNisim. • We do not recite the Tachanun (penitential) prayer at morning and after- noon services. • Unlike the major holy days, on Purim all manner of work is permitted: fires may be kindled; electricity may be turned on and ofl 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 that were 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 is Quebec City, Canada. ❑ — Elizabeth Applebaum, AppleTree editor 3/14 2003 84 ANYTHING BUT OLD HAT from page 63 ferred not to write God's name, fear- ing the scroll might be thrown away or otherwise improperly handled. • Another unusual fact about the holiday is that the events occurred outside Israel. Every other miracle since the Exodus that is commemorat- ed with a holiday took place within the Land of Israel. • While most scholars believe that the word Purim is from the Persian, meaning "lots," a few suggest that it does, in fact, come from an Aramaic word meaning "a small smooth object" used to determine a lottery winner. Interestingly, it has a similar meaning in Arabic. There's A Seed In your Ear! Some Jews call hamantashen oznei Haman, or Haman's ears. Many years ago, criminals had their ears cut off before they were hanged. Haman was, of course, hanged, which is how "ears" come to be part of mishloach manot. Italian Jews also love this treat, but they call them orrechi d'Aman, while in Holland oznei Haman are known as hamansoren. Poppy seed (mohn in Yiddish) is the most popular filling for hamantashen. Here are some things you may not have known about the poppy seed: • At first glance, poppy seeds appear round; in fact, they are kidney shaped. • Countries that cultivate poppy seeds today are Holland, Australia, Iran, Poland, Russia, Romania, Argentina and Turkey. The United States imports most of its poppy seed from Holland, Australia and Turkey. • Here are the nutritional facts about poppy seeds: one teaspoon con- tains 0.2 mg. of sodium, 40 mg. of calcium, 20 mg. of potassium and 247 mg. of iron. • Poppy seeds are indeed derived from the same plant that produces opium. However, they are in no way narcotic because the seeds are not formed until after the capsule has lost its ability to produce the drug. • The poppy flower is the most prominent symbol of fallen soldiers, and is used to commemorate Armistice Day in the United States. According to author and literary critic Paul Fussell, the poppy was one of the most popular subjects of World War I poetry. • In Vienna, poppy seeds make for a popular dish when mixed with noo- dles and cheddar cheese and baked. In India, poppy seeds are pounded and mixed with yogurt to make a favorite condiment. In Colombia, poppy seeds are used to season bunuelos, deep- fried cakes featuring lemon and orange peel and sprinkled with pow- dered sugar. Giving To Others Several organizations and charities offer special ways celebrate the spirit of giving associated with mishloach manot. • You can send a Purim card to friends and learn Purim songs and more with Aish HaTorah. Go to: www.aish.com/purimmitzvot/ purimmitzvotdefault/Gifts_to_ Friends_and_the_Poor. asp • Express your support for members of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) by sending - mishloach manot to soldiers in Israel. Packages include cookies, flavored almonds, candy, potato chips and more and range from .$14.99 for one soldier to $389.99 for a platoon of 30 soldiers. For information, visit http://pizzaidf.org • This year, students in the Sunday school at the Birmingham Temple will be sending mishloach manot to resi- dents throughout the country — most of whom they will never even meet. - The students will participate in the CROP Walk For Hunger, a national program that donates funds to needy families. Walking with a chapter from Farmington Hills, the students collect pledged money that will be distrib- uted to national and local charities. For the first time, those local charities will include Yad Ezra, the Berkley- based kosher food pantry. Lenore Kingston, a fourth-grade teacher at the Birmingham Temple, tells her students they should be "ded- icated to a purpose." She is coordinat- ing the temple's participation in the walk, as she has done in past years. Several months ago Kingston was invited to a planning meeting for the CROP walk, where she suggested the donors consider adding Yad Ezra to their list of local recipients. They agreed in a heartbeat. "It was really neat in terms of the world situation that we're joining together," she said. "So much is diffi- cult now, but everyone [at CROP] was so welcoming. I was thrilled." The children will begin preparing for the walk following the temple's Purim carnival, which this year carries the theme, "Under the Sea." ❑