Purim (Jewish)

Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination.

To commemorate the miraculous turn of events recorded in Esther, Purim is celebrated with feasts, sending gifts of food to friends and the needy, and with the reading of Esther, the story of Purim.

According to the Book of Esther (the Megillah), the king of Persia, Ahasuerus, was nearly convinced to kill all the Jews in his land. Ahasuerus' chief advisor Haman despised Jews, especially a man named Mordechai who had refused to bow before Haman. Mordechai's niece, Esther, was Ahasuerus' queen. Haman wanted to punish all Jews for Mordechai's actions and convinced Ahasuerus of his position. Ahasuerus, unaware that his queen was Jewish, accepted Haman's plan to cast lots, or Purim, to determine a day for murdering the Jews. Esther intervened on behalf of her people by telling the king that she was Jewish. Upon hearing this, Ahasuerus ordered Haman's death instead and Mordechai assumed Haman's position as chief advisor.

The earliest descriptions of Purim celebrations, from the Second Temple and Mishnaic eras, offer no indication of the partying that is associated with the festival today. The emphasis was on the formal reading of the Scroll of Esther, which was to be conducted with great care and seriousness.

Later customs originated in late fifteenth century Italy, such as donning masks, drinking, parody, and costumes. Purim is a joyous day celebrated by the entire family.