Purim is a Jewish festival celebrated in early spring. Jewish people celebrate this joyous occasion with costumes, carnivals, symbolic treats, dances and even pranks. Purim falls on the 14th day of the month of Adar, which is a month where it is customary to play jokes and be silly. Adar celebrates the Jews renewal of faith and celebration of life and redemption; it’s slogan is “Be Happy!”
Want to know why Purim is celebrated, the story behind it and its traditions? Read on!
History and Celebration
According to Chabad.org, Purim commemorates the day when Haman (the Prime Minister of the Persian Empire in the 4th century BCE) had a plan to kill all the Jews and was foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai. Queen Esther had made King Ahasuerus fall in love with her without revealing her identity as a Jewish person. In this role, she was able to help the Jews survive Haman’s threat. In the end, Haman was hanged and the Jews were celebrated with a new law that allowed them to defend their honor. Centuries later, Jews celebrate this victory because if not for Esther’s bravery in keeping her identity a secret to save her people, the Jews may have been annihilated.
Traditions of Purim
Purim Food:
Hamantashen: Shortbread cookies are baked into triangles to represent Haman’s three-pointed hat. They are then stuffed with various jellies.
Mishloach Manot: According to Kolel.org, this term means a gift of food for family and friends. Usually, the gift will be at least two offerings, such as candy, cookies, fruit or nuts. This gift represents the gift of life, sharing and celebration.
How to celebrate Purim:
Ta’anit Esther: Some Jews choose to fast the day before Purim (from sun-up to sundown) to remind them of the fast Esther encouraged all her people to observe while she tried to save them.
Read the Megillah. This is the story of Purim and is recited every year. Traditionally, whenever the name “Haman” is mentioned, participants boo and sound noisemakers. Alternatively, when “Mordechai” is mentioned, everyone cheers.
Dress up. Costumes can be fun, silly or ironic. BeingJewish.com explains that costumes represent G-d’s* ability to save the Jewish people while staying disguised and unknown to most. Jewish people spend Purim in disguises to commemorate G-d’s ability to stay masked and perform miracles.
Drink. Purim is celebrated with alcohol in hand. Often, Misloach Manot includes small travel bottles of alcohol.
Tzedakah: Giving to charity is seen throughout Jewish culture, but is especially important on this day, as the Jewish people celebrate the gift of life.
Family Meal: The festival is commemorated with a large meal to celebrate the story and the survival of the Jewish people.
Purim is a time to celebrate life and victory with family and friends. So eat Hamantashan, play with noisemakers, dance and dress up. Celebrate life and celebrate the story of Esther and Mordechai.
*It is traditional for a Jewish person not to fully write the name of G-d in print, but to substitute one letter for a dash. This is out of respect for His name.
References:
http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/645309/jewish/What-is-Purim.htm
http://www.kolel.org/pages/holidays/Purim_intro.html
http://www.beingjewish.com/yomtov/purim/costumes.html