gj r T@ -d wish famili Ts, Purim At A Glance Everything you ever wanted to know about this festival day. ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM AppleTree Editor hen It Happens On the 14th of Adar, which this year corre- sponds to sundown Saturday, March 6, until sundown Sunday, March 7. What The Name Means Purim means "lots," objects used in making a choice by chance. It refers to the lots cast by Haman to determine the month in which to exterminate the Jews (Esther 3:7; 9:26). 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 ancient Persia (4th century BCE). Ceremonies And Rituals The main event of Purim is the public reading of Megillat Esthen the Book of Esther, or Scroll of Esther, commonly known as the megillah (which in Hebrew means "scroll"). The day before Purim is Taanit Ester; 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. This year, however, because the fast day would fall on Shabbat, it is moved ahead and will instead be observed on Thursday, March 4. On Purim, in most synagogues, the megillah is read during the evening serv- ice. Some synagogues hold additional readings after the service. The megillah also is read in the synagogue the next morning, during the Shacharit service. Some have further readings later in the morning. 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 gen- eral silliness are part of the day. Aside from the megillah, we observe three practices: 1) Send gifts of food to fellow Jews. The gifts, known as mishloach manot ("sending portions"), consist of at least two different types of food that are ready to eat or can be enjoyed with minimal preparation. 2) Give money to the poor. The mini- mum amount we give is the lowest denomination of currency — and it must be given to at least two poor per- sons. It is proper to be generous. How To Celebrate 3) Eat a festive meal. On Purim, We attend both the evening and include more wine or liquor with the morning readings of the megillah. -- meal than usual, enough to make things Drown out with sound every mention lively (but not so much as to be unable of Haman's name. You can boo and to recite the grace after meals). The hiss or use any type of noisemaker. repast may extend into the evening after The traditional type that spins and Purim, but it must begin during the makes a clicking noise is known in daylight hours of Purim. Yiddish as a grogger. A Little Purim AppleTree looks at other miraculous times the Jews were saved. ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM AppleTree Editor I n 1942 a miracle occurred in Casablanca. Local Nazis rioted, and threatened, but the Jewish community there survived intact. In honor of this occasion, and in grat- itude to God, the rabbis instituted what's known as a Purim Katan, a minor Purim, on the 2nd of Kislev. This one bears the name of its evil instigator: Purim Hider. This week we celebrate what might be called the best-known Purim, the one involving Esther and Mordechai. But Jewish history is replete with several occasions known as Purim Katan, other celebrations which, like their namesake, mark extraordinary times when God has saved the Jewish people. These minor Purim celebrations are generally observed by the individual Jewish corn- m.unities affected and celebrated with a special meal and with donations to char- ity. Some communities also would insti- tute a fast before the Purim Katan, and read a scroll recounting how the corn- munity was saved. A few celebrations of Purim Katan from Jewish history: In 1339 in Spain, the king's adviser, Gonzales Martinez, hoped to annihilate the entire Jewish community of Spain. His plans were thwarted, and Purim Martinez is observed on the 1st of Adar. In 1742 in Italy, a terrible earthquake destroyed much of the town of Leghorn (later famous as the birthplace of Italian- Jewish artist Amadeo Modiglilani). The Jewish community survived. This is observed on the 12th of Shevat. In 1744 in Russia, the Jews of Mstislavl were saved from destruction by the Cossacks. This Purim, Katan is observed on the 4th of Shevat. In 1722 in Baghdad, the Jewish com- munity was relieved from oppression by the Persians. The Purim Katan is on the 11th of Av. In 1809 in Italy, another earthquake rocked the city of Sermide, and once again the Jewish community miracu- Rules And Regulations In the Shemonah Esrei, or Amidah (standing prayer) and in Birkat HaMazon (grace after meals), include the prayer of Al HalVissim. Do not recite the Tachanun (penitential) prayer at morning and afternoon services. Unlike the major holy days, on Purim all man- ner 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 quali- fies is Quebec City, Canada. ❑ lously survived. Observed on the 25th of Tammuz. In 1819 in Sarajevo, 10 leaders of the Jewish community were falsely charged and set to be executed. They were freed, and this Purim Katan is celebrated on the 4th of Cheshvan. In 1806 in Bulgaria, the Jewish com- munity feared certain mob attack when rumors spread that the country's leader had died of poisoning — by his Jewish physician. Yet the community was unharmed. Observed on the 4th and 5th (sometimes the 9th and 10th) of Cheshvan. In 1648 in Poland, the infamous anti- Semite Bogdan Chelminicki planned an attack on the Jewish community of Medzibezh. The Jews were saved, and this Purim Katan comes on the 11th of Tevet. ❑ 3/ 5 2004 35