Thursday night, March 24, and Friday, March 25Thursday night, March 24, and Friday, March 25
Purim beginnings in Iraq/Iran
The original Purim story happened over 2,300 years ago, after the destruction of the First Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The Jews had been exiled to Babylon and then dispersed throughout the land of Persia, today's Iraq and Iran. Impressed by alien kings and lifestyles, palaces and parties, the Jews had no vision of their own destiny and future. Many Jews had lost faith in the Divine prophecies that predicted their eventual Redemption and return to Israel.
Purim’s main characters:
Haman
The vicious Persian Prime Minister Haman schemed to annihilate every Jewish man, woman and child. A shrewd and devious manipulator, Haman received King Ahasuerus’ approval for his wicked plan.
Mordechai and Esther
Haman had almost executed his horrible agenda, if not for the intervention of Queen Esther, the heroine, and Mordechai, the righteous Jewish leader.
Sensing the danger, Mordechai rallied his fellow Jews to repent and return to G-d through Torah and Mitzvot.
By Divine Providence, Mordechai's niece, Esther, was chosen to become the new Persian Queen. Mordechai urged her to go plead with the King to save her people.
Before approaching the King, Queen Esther proclaimed a fast, prayer and penitence, and then went to the palace and invited the king to a party.
That night, as the restless King Ahasuerus was reading his memoirs, the pages turned to a long-forgotten episode, when Mordechai had saved the king's life from a plot by his courtiers to poison him.
The King immediately ordered Haman to publicly honor Mordechai by dressing him with the royal garments and parading him on the Royal horse through the Capital.
Later, at their party, Queen Esther pointed to Haman as the arch villain, and Haman was hanged on the same gallows he had prepared for Mordechai.
Victory
The Purim story is a tribute to the courage of Queen Esther, Mordechai, and all the Jewish people. Throughout the whole year of Haman’s anti-Jewish decree, not a single Jew chose to leave his people by converting out, even if that could have saved his life.
The fortunate turn of events aroused the Jews to return to their heritage and unite with their traditions, faith and observance. They rallied against their enemies on the 13th day of the month of Adar, the very day chosen by Haman to execute his "final solution." The Jews eventually returned to the Holy Land where they rebuilt the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
The Purim story concludes on the happy note that "the Jews enjoyed light and gladness, joy and exultation," so shall it be to us. May we, too, soon see the ultimate Redemption, speedily in our days.
Purim Highlights
The Megillah
We relive the Purim events by listening to the reading of the Megillah (Scroll of Esther) both on Thursday night, March 24, and on Friday 25.
We listen carefully to hear every word of the Megillah. We twirl "gragger" noisemakers when Haman's name is mentioned and stamp our feet to "eradicate the name of Amalek," Haman's ancestors who attacked Israel after the Exodus.
GIVE LOVE
The power of Jewish unity saved the day, so we send each other food gifts to express our love and concern for each other.
We give at least two kinds of ready-to-eat foods to at least one friend, through a third party, on Friday March 25. Men send to men, and women to women. Children are encouraged to exchange gifts, and the more the merrier.
Masks
It is customary to masquerade, as we 'rejoice on Purim until we don't know the difference between Haman and Mordecahi.' An esoteric reason explains that Israel's true inner identity had been masked and concealed when they strayed from Torah, causing Haman's evil decree.
Gifts to the Poor
Charity is a year-round Mitzvah with added significance on Purim. We give money to at least two poor persons. If it is not possible to deliver the contribution personally, the money can be placed in a charity box (Pushka) for later distribution.
The Purim Feast, on Friday
We eat a festive meal on Purim day, this year on Friday. It is preferable to start the Purim dinner earlier in the day before noon, in order to leave enough time before the approach of Shabbat.
If the Purim dinner cannot be observed in the morning, then it is begun before sundown. At nightfall, in the middle of the meal, a new tablecloth is spread, and the Friday night Kiddush is recited to dedicate the continuation of the dinner in honor of Shabbat.
The three cornered Hamantashen pastries filled with poppyseeds, prune, apricot or other jams are a favorite. We celebrate joyfully with family and friends, and toast a joyous L'chaim!
More Purim Observances
The Fast of Esther
To commemorate the Esther’s prayerful fasting, we fast on Thursday March 24. The fast begins 72 minutes before sunrise until 40 minutes after sunset.
The Half Shekel
In Jerusalem's Holy Temple, every person participated in the services by contributing a "half shekel" coin. Today it is customary to donate 3 half-dollar coins to charity.
Special Prayers
On Purim, we recite the "Al Hanissim" prayer, thanking G-d for His miracles of deliverance. We also include the "Al Hanissim" when we say Grace after the meal.
During the morning service in the synagogue, a special reading from the Torah Scroll describes the war with Amalek, before the Megillah is read.