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Purim: Who, What, Where, Why, When, How!
by Sarah Zeldman
When is it?: March 20th-21st in 2008
Purim is one of the most fun holidays of the Jewish Year. In a rush? Here’s the shortest story of the holiday ever told:
“They tried to kill us, we won, God helped, let's eat!”
Want to know more? You’ll find out all the important facts below!
Who
Jewish people around the world celebrate Purim every year. It celebrates their survival from a plan to kill all the Jews of ancient Persia. Of course, there was some Divine intervention, along the way.
The main characters in the story of Purim are:
- King Achashverosh who ruled Persia 2,300 years ago.
- His first wife Vashti, who didn't last very long.
- Haman, the King's Chief advisor who hated the Jewish People.
- Mordechai - A holy man and the leader of the Jewish People at the time.
- Esther - Mordechai’s cousin and the Jewish woman who captured the heart of the King and risked her life to save her people.
What
Purim celebrates the events that are told in the book of Esther. The book of Esther was the last book to be canonized in Tanach. The Tanach includes the first five books of the Torah, the book of “Prophets” (including Joshua, Samuel, Kings etc) and the “Writings ” (including Job, Proverbs, Ruth and more).
In the story, King Achashverosh of Persia is married to Vashti, whom he ‘divorces’ (using the ancient method of having her killed) after she publicly refuses to come to him during a party. The leader of the Jewish community, Mordechai, has a cousin named Esther. Esther is chosen to be the King’s new wife, but no one knows that she is actually Jewish. Achashverosh’s chief advisor Haman hated the Jews, especially after Mordechai refused to bow to him.
Haman created a plan for genocide and got the King’s permission to kill all the Jews in the Kingdom. Mordechai learned of the plot and begged Esther to save the Jewish people by approaching the King and revealing her true identity as a Jewish woman. At first Esther is reluctant, because approaching the King without being summoned is punishable by death. However Mordechai convinces her to intervene to save her people. At Esther’s request, the entire Jewish community prays and fasts while she prepares to approach the King.
Esther invites both Achashverosh and Haman to a meal and at that meal Esther reveals her identity and begs the King to save her and her people. The King becomes enraged at Haman and has him hung on the gallows that he intended to use to kill Mordechai. Since Achashverosh’s edict decreeing the murder of the Jews cannot be rescinded, he issues another edict allowing the Jews to take up arms and kill their enemies, which they do. Thereafter, the day after the battle was designated as Purim, a day of feasting and rejoicing. After their victory, it is also said that Jews of ancient Persia recommitted themselves to improving their Torah study and observance of Jewish law.
When
The events of the Purim story took place about 2,300 years ago.
Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. (In cities surrounded by a wall, such as Jerusalem, it is celebrated on the 15th of Adar.) As with all Jewish holidays, Purim begins at sundown on the previous day. For example, this year (2007), Purim will be celebrated on the evening of March 3 and through the day of March 4, until sundown.
Where
The Purim story took place in ancient Persia, under the reign of King Achashverosh. Jewish people celebrate Purim in their home, synagogues, and communities every year. They go to synagogue to hear the Megillah (the story of Purim in the original Hebrew, written on a parchment scroll) once in the evening and once during the day. They also eat a festive meal celebrating the day, usually in their homes. Sometimes synagogues and Jewish organizations like Chabad will offer a Purim meal for the whole community.
Why
The Jewish people celebrate Purim for a few reasons:
A Story of Survival - Persia under the reign of King Achashverosh was quite large. Had Haman succeeded in his plot to kill all of the Jews in the kingdom, the Jewish people would have been all but completely exterminated.
Divine Intervention in Natural Events - The true miracle of Purim is that the events, as they were happening, did not seem like a miracle at all. It is only in retrospect, viewing the events of the story as a whole, can we see how God’s hand spun together a seemingly unrelated series of events to save the Jewish people from annihilation.
Eternal Optimism - As Rabbi Shraga Simmons of Aish.com once wrote, ”The story of Esther teaches us that life challenges work out for the best, because what appears as obstacles are really opportunities to develop ourselves for the better. And it all comes from God's invisible hand that guides our fate, every step of the way.”
It’s Fun! - Purim is one of the most joyous holidays of year. It is a day of feasting, joking and jest both in the synagogue and at home!
How
Now the fun part! The actual celebration! Go hear the Megillah, give tzedukah (charity), send gifts of shaloch manot, and enjoy the traditional meal.
Now you know everything you need for a great Purim holiday! Enjoy!
Sarah Zeldman is the co-author of the Purim Guide, filled with all things Purim -- including guides for Shaloch Manot, traditional recipe ideas, and homemade costumes. Check out her guide - Purim Made Easy!
Purim Resources:
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