Beth Israel Community Art Project
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).
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.