Tags
Adar, book of Esther, fast, festival, graggars, Haman, Hamantaschen, Jewish, Megillah, Purim, salvation, sundown, two days
Purim
Purim occurred March 21, 2019 and will occur on March 10, 2020. Purim is a two day celebration that begins at sundown on the fourteenth day of Adar, the 12th month of the Jewish calendar. Purim is one of the most festive of the Jewish holidays. It is a commemoration of the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia (during the 5th century B.C.) from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day,” as recorded in the Megillah (book of Esther). Purim observances are to read the Megillah, to give gifts of money to at least two poor people, to send gifts of two kinds of food to at least one person and to have a festive Purim feast. Purim customs include children dressing (adults can too if they wish) in costumes and the consumption of hamantaschen (three cornered pastries bursting with poppy seeds or sweet fillings). It is also customary to fast the day before Purim. Children also shake noise makers called “Graggers.”