🎭Purim

About Purim

Purim is one of the most joyful and playful holidays in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the rescue of the Jews of the ancient Persian Empire from a plot to destroy them. The story is told in the Book of Esther (the Megillah): Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai foil the scheme of the royal vizier Haman, turning a decree of doom into one of deliverance. Its name comes from the "pur", or lots, that Haman cast to choose the date of destruction.

Purim is celebrated with costumes and masks, raucous public readings of the Megillah during which the crowd boos and rattles noisemakers (groggers) at every mention of Haman's name, and a festive meal. Two acts of giving are central: mishloach manot, gifts of food and drink exchanged between friends, and matanot la'evyonim, charity given to the poor so that everyone can share in the joy. Triangular pastries called hamantaschen, filled with poppy seed or fruit, are the holiday's signature treat.

Purim falls on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar, so its Gregorian date shifts each year but usually lands in late February or March. In walled cities such as Jerusalem it is observed a day later as Shushan Purim. Like all Jewish holidays it begins at sundown the evening before. Whether you are planning your costume or baking hamantaschen, add Purim to your own page and watch the days count down above.