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Purim

Purim is Judaism’s most dramatic, fun-filled holiday. When else can you dress up like a bunny rabbit and eat doughy triangles filled with poppy seeds?  Purim occurs on the 14th of Adar (15th of Adar inside Jerusalem).

Traditional Purim Cookies
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Mural designed by: Beryl Israel

NOTE FROM THE ARTIST:  Beryl portrays the holiday of Purim by setting a  stage with Persian tiles patterned with Purim symbols.  Floating against the rich blues of the backdrop curtain are the bold Purim symbols: The Megillat Esther, a mask, a  gragger, and  hamentashen. The whole mural reflects a rich vibrant scene with the use of jewel-like colours.

History

Purim celebrates the dramatic turn-around events, where the wicked Haman tried to annihilate the Jewish people of ancient Persia. The Jews were saved through God’s miraculous arranging of events, as expressed by the heroics of Mordechai and Esther.

There are four mitzvot specific to the holiday of Purim (see below).

The History of Purim

Set in Persia 2,300 years ago, the Book of Esther – or the “Megillah” as it is commonly called – recounts how a seemingly unrelated series of events spun together to save the Jewish people from annihilation.

King Achashverosh throws a huge six-month party and Queen Vashti refuses to follow orders. After a global search, Esther becomes the new queen – but does not reveal her Jewishness. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews, uncovers a plot to assassinate the king – putting him also in a favorable position with the king. All this comes in handy when Haman, the king’s top advisor, obtains a decree to have all the Jews destroyed. (Purim is the Persian word for "lottery," used by Haman to determine a date for his planned destruction of the Jews.)

In the end, through a complex twist of events, Esther gets the decree reversed, Haman is hanged on the gallows, and Mordechai becomes prime minister.

History
Customs

Purim Customs

Star of David

FAST OF ESTHER

Every year, the Fast of Esther is held on the day prior to Purim (Adar 13).

What is the source of this fast? In the Megillah (4:16), Esther agrees to see the king uninvited, and asks the Jewish people to fast for three days beforehand.

Also, the Jews fasted and prayed on the 13th of Adar in preparation for their defense against Haman's decree. As such, his is not a fast of sadness, but rather one of spiritual elevation and inspiration.

If the 13th falls on Shabbat, due to the honor of Shabbat, the fast is observed on Thursday, the 11th of Adar.

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