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March 9 • 2017

jn

ewish communities around the
world celebrate Purim as a holi-
day of feasting and gladness, gift-
giving and tzedakah (charity), revelry
and imbibing. It is one of the most
popular Jewish holidays for families
and children.
The celebration of Purim is based
on the story found in the biblical Book
of Esther. A tractate of the Mishnah
(and hence the Talmud) is devoted to
it as well. Purim is a time when Jewish
communities, like the community in
the Book of Esther, become particu-
larly aware of the fragility and even
the danger of living in the diaspora
as a people “scattered abroad and
dispersed among the peoples” (Esther
3:8).

THE MEGILLAH READING
The primary communal observance
connected to Purim is the mitzvah of
reading the Book of Esther, called the
megillah (the scroll). It is supposed to
be read in the synagogue with a min-
yan present. The scroll is read twice,
once in the evening after the Amidah
(silent prayer) of Ma’ariv (the evening
service) and once after the Torah ser-
vice during Shacharit (the morning
service).
The megillah is in the form of a
parchment scroll, handwritten like a
Torah. The Book of Esther has a special
cantillation used only for that book,
and the reading is preceded by three
blessings.
During the reading, it is customary
for the congregation to drown out the
name of Haman by making noise, usu-
ally using a special noisemaker called
a grogger, whenever the reader utters
the villain’s name.
Another custom is to read the verses
listing the 10 sons of Haman ( found in
chapter 9) in one breath. One theory
regarding the significance of this prac-

tice says that it is done to symbolize
how the brothers all died together,
while a second theory suggests that
we should not draw out the reading of
the names so as not to gloat over their
fate.
Traditionally, an additional Torah
reading, in addition to the weekly read-
ing, is inserted on the Sabbath preced-
ing Purim. Called Shabbat Zachor (the
Sabbath of Remembrance), the addi-
tional reading is one of the four special
parshiyot (weekly Torah portions) lead-
ing up to Passover.
This excerpt from the Book of
Deuteronomy (25:17-19) discusses the
battle with Amalek. Jewish tradition
views Amalek as the ancestor and, in
some ways, the precursor of Haman.
Both sought to annihilate the Jewish
people, and both were thwarted in
their plans.

MISHLOACH MANOT
On Purim, the megillah mandates
that we give gifts to friends (mishloach
manot), usually of food, and to the
poor (matanot l’evyonim). It is a
tradition for congregations to col-
lect money in memory of the half
shekel collected in ancient days for the
upkeep of the Temple.
Purim is a time for carnivals and
parties and masquerades. Most Jewish
congregations hold special carnivals
for children, and children dress in
costumes that commemorate the
various characters of the Purim story.
They perform humorous plays called
Purim shpiels, which — more often
than not — mock both the characters
in the story and leaders in the Jewish
community.
Metro Detroit Jews will find no
shortage of fun Purim gatherings
planned throughout the community. •

From myjewishlearning.com

