This year, the holiday of Purim takes place on Thursday, March 17.
Purim is the most joyous festival on the Jewish calendar, celebrated for young and old. The story of Purim has a relevant and inspirational message for today, and the celebration of the holiday includes religious and charitable customs and traditional foods.
History of Purim
The Holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 365 BCE. The Jewish nation was conquered and dispersed in foreign lands by the Persian King. King Ahasuerus, while celebrating his kingship with decadent parties, executed his defiant wife, Queen Vashti. Esther, a Jewish girl, was chosen as Queen against her will and hid her faith. Her uncle Mordechai uncovered an assassination plot and saved King Ahasuerus from death.
Haman, a descendant from the Jew-hating tribe of Amalek, devised a scheme to annihilate every Jew in the kingdom in a single day. Mordechai, a descendant of King Saul, sensed the danger and identified it as a wakeup call from G-d. He rallied the Jews to return to G-d and his Torah.
Queen Esther received a message from Mordechai to plead before the king for her people. Esther feared entering the King’s presence without permission but saw no other choice. After her three-day fast of penitence along with the whole Jewish nation, she approached the King. Miraculously, she found favor in his eyes and exposed Haman’s plot to kill her and her people. The wicked Haman was hanged, and the Jewish people were saved.
This is a story of great courage and self-sacrifice of Esther, Mordechai and the entire Jewish nation. While the terrifying decree hung over them, not a single Jew chose to convert, even to save his own life. Together, the people heeded Mordechai and returned wholeheartedly to Torah, strengthening their faith and observance.
In this merit, they were able to rise up and destroy their enemy and give us a new joyous holiday of Purim.
The Four Mitzvot of Purim
1. Listen to the Megillah reading on Wednesday night, March 16 and Thursday morning, March 17. When Haman’s name is mentioned, twirl your graggers (noisemakers) and stamp your feet to drown out the sound of his evil name.
2. Eat a festive meal which can include hamantashen, a traditional filled-pocket pastry. In Hebrew, the name translates as “Haman’s ears.”
3. Send gifts of food (called Mishloach Manot) on Purim Day. These gifts are meant to be a celebration of Jewish unity and friendship. We send packages containing at least two different kinds of ready-to-eat foods (like hamantashen and fruit) to at least one friend.
4. Share gifts with the poor. Giving Tzedakah (charity) is a particularly meaningful mitzvah on Purim. You can choose to give charity to at least two needy individuals on Purim Day, or you can place money in a charity box.
One of the most important customs is to hear the reading of the Megillah. To find the closest location near you, please visit chabad.org.
Wishing you all a happy Purim Day!
For more information, contact your local Rabbi or feel free to call Rabbi David Laine.
Rabbi David Laine
Director of Friends of Chabad Vocational Schools
(718)773-5875
cvsIsrael@aol.com
