Purim

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Purim

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Holiday of:

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Judaism and Jews

Related Topics:
Judaism - Jew

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Name:

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Hebrew: פורים

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Translation:

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"Lots" (of a "lottery" performed by the wicked Haman)"

Related Topics:
Lottery - Haman

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Begins:

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14th day of Adar, (in Jerusalem on 15th Adar - because it's an ancient walled city.)

Related Topics:
Adar - Jerusalem

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Ends:

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14th day of Adar, (in Jerusalem, the 15th of Adar)

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Occasion:One of two Rabbinical Festivals (the other is Hanukkah.) Celebration of Jewish deliverance as told in the Book of Esther. After the destruction of the Kingdom of Judah, the Jews were taken into the 70 year Babylonian captivity. When ancient Persia took control, Haman planned genocide against the Jews, but his plans were foiled by Esther and Mordechai.

Related Topics:
Hanukkah - Book of Esther - Kingdom of Judah - Jew - Babylonian captivity - Persia - Haman - Genocide - Esther - Mordechai

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The miracle of the reversal of King Ahasuerus' ({{unicode|Aḥashverosh}} in Hebrew) decree to kill all the Jews instigated by Haman. The Jews went from being the "victims" of an evil decree against them, to becoming the ones favored by the king and allowed to destroy their former enemies, which happened on the day of Purim.

Related Topics:
Ahasuerus - Hebrew

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Symbols:Listening to the reading of the Book of Esther - the Megillah ("scroll") in synagogue. Making noise with a gragger or any object when Haman's name is read out loud. Giving Tzedakah "gifts to the poor" (matanot le'evyonim). Sending "gift food portions" (mishloach manot). Eating festive meals and special cookies called Hamantaschen. Drinking kosher wine to the point of "not knowing the difference (ad delo yada) between cursed be Haman and blessed be Mordechai". Wearing of masks and disguises.

Related Topics:
Book of Esther - Synagogue - Tzedakah - Hamantasch - Kosher - Wine - Mask - Disguise

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Related to:

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Hanukkah (as a rabbinically decreed holiday.)

Related Topics:
Hanukkah - Rabbi

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Purim (פּוּרִים "Lots", Standard Hebrew Purim, Tiberian Hebrew Pûrîm: plural of פּוּר pûr "Lot", from Akkadian pūru) is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Persian Jews from the plot of the evil Haman to exterminate them, as recorded in the biblical Book of Esther. According to that book, the feast was instituted as a national one by the book's protagonists, Mordechai and Esther. Purim is celebrated annually on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. (In a small number of cities that were walled in ancient times, it is instead celebrated on the 15th.) As with all Jewish holidays, Purim begins at sundown on the previous day.

Related Topics:
Standard Hebrew - Tiberian Hebrew - Akkadian - Jewish holiday - Jew - Haman - Book of Esther - Mordechai - Esther - Hebrew month - Adar

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