Purim - the Festival of Lots2006:14 March (Shushan Purim - 15 March)
2007: 4th March (5th March)
2008: 21st March (22nd March)
2009: 10th March (11th March)
2010: 28th February (1st March)Purim falls on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar, in all cities of the world except for walled cities within Israel, when it falls on the 15th of Adar, and is known as Shushan Purim. Historical BackgroundPurim celebrates the deliverance of Persian Jewry 2,400 years ago, under the reign of King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther. The king's evil advisor, Haman, had plotted to kill the Jews, but Esther and her uncle Mordechai managed to reverse this cruel plan, and instead the Jews' enemies were defeated. A more detailed version of the story of Purim is available. The holiday's name, "Purim", is derived from the word "pur", which refers to the lots cast by Haman to determine the day the Jews were to be executed. The first record of the observance of Purim dates back to the Hasmonean period (2nd to 1st centuries BCE). Ta'anit Esther The 13th of Adar is observed as a fast day called Ta'anit Esther - the fast of Esther. We fast to commemorate the three days that Esther fasted before going to plead with King Ahasuerus to save the Jews. The fast begins with sunrise and ends with sunset. Purim RitualsAccording to the megillah, one is "to observe [Purim] as days of feasting and merry-making, and as an occasion of sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor." (Megillat Esther 9:22.) Purim is thus associated with the following rituals: 1. Kriyat HaMegillah (reading of the scroll) -
Megillat Esther is read once at night and then once on Purim morning. It is customary to make a noise whenever the name "Haman" is read out in order to symbolically erase his name and his nation, Amalek. Amalek have throughout history, shown much cruelty to the Jews. Special "noise-makers" are commonly used, known as "grogger"s or "ra'ashan"s. 2. Mishloach Manot (sending gifts) -
Festive baskets of food are delivered to family and friends, often by children dressed in their Purim costumes. The technical requirement (according to the Rabbis) is to give at least two people, two types of ready-to-eat food or drink. Often, these gifts of food include triangular pastries, with delicious fillings such as jam, poppy seeds and nuts. Because of their shape, these delicacies are known in Hebrew as "oznei Haman" (Haman's ears) and in Yiddish, as "hamantaschen" (Haman's hat). 3. Matanot La'evyonim (gifts to the poor) -
Considered more important than mishlo'ach manot (according to Maimonides Mishnah Torah, Minhagei Megillah), is the custom of giving charity to at least two people on Purim. The word for charity in Hebrew is 'tzedakah'. The root of this word is 'tzedek', meaning 'justice' or 'righteousness'. This hints to us that giving to those in need is just and proper. 4. Se'udah (banquet) -
A rich, festive meal is customarily enjoyed by family and friends on Purim day. During the se'udah, many observe the custom of drinking alcohol until they can not differentiate between "blessed Mordechai" and "cursed Haman" (Babylonian Talmud Megillah 7:2). This reminds us of how Haman's plans were overturned - "åðäôåê äåà". Haman planned to have all the Jews killed - instead they defeated their enemies, and Haman, himself was hung from the very tree he had designated for Mordechai's hanging. As it is written in Megillat Esther (9:22), "the month [of Adar] which was turned to them [the Jewish nation] from sorrow to joy, and from mourning to holiday..." Also on the WUJS site:
Purim Activities.
Learn about other holidays.
Purim sources: Historical, traditional, and contemporary.
The very basics on all festivals of the Jewish Calender.
Elsewhere on the web:
Resources and Activities on Purim from the Jewish Agency - Pedagogic Center
More Purim Programmes for educators
Purim on Maven 45 related sites on the Jewish Portal
104 Purim-related sites in 5 languages On Jacob Richman's Hotsites
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