Purim
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Purim (/ˈpʊərɪm/; פּוּרִים Pūrīmⓘ, lit. 'lots'; see Name below) is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman, as it is recounted in the Book of Esther (usually dated to the 5th century BCE).
Haman was the royal vizier to the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I or Artaxerxes I; Khshayarsha and Artakhsher in Old Persian, respectively).[1][2][3][4] His plans were foiled by Mordecai of the tribe of Benjamin, and Esther, Mordecai's cousin and adopted daughter who had become queen of Persia after her marriage to Ahasuerus.[5] The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and rejoicing among Jews.
According to the
- Exchanging gifts of food and drink, known as mishloach manot.
- Donating charity to the poor, known as mattanot la-evyonim.[7]
- Eating a celebratory meal with alcoholic beverages, known as se'udat Purim or "Mishteh".
- Public recitation of the Scroll of Esther (קריאת מגילת אסתר), or "reading of the Megillah", usually in synagogue.
- Reciting additions to the daily prayers and the grace after meals, known as Al HaNissim.
- Applying henna[8][9] (Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews).
Other customs include wearing masks and costumes, public celebrations and parades (Adloyada), eating hamantashen (transl. "Haman's ears"), and drinking wine.[10]
According to the Hebrew calendar, Purim is celebrated annually on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (and it is celebrated in Adar II in Hebrew leap years, which occur 7 times in every 19 years), the day following the victory of the Jews over their enemies, the 13th of Adar, a date now observed in most years with the fast of Esther.
In cities that were protected by a surrounding wall at the time of Joshua, Purim is celebrated on the 15th of the month of Adar on what is known as Shushan Purim, since fighting in the walled city of Shushan continued through the 14th day of Adar.[11] Today, only in Jerusalem Purim is observed on the 15th, and in several other biblical settlements (such as Hebron and Shilo) it is celebrated on both dates because of doubts regarding their status as cities surrounded by a wall since the days of Joshua.
Name
Purim is the plural of the Hebrew word pur (loan from Akkadian puru) meaning "lot".[12][a] Its use as the name of this festival comes from Esther 3:6–7, describing the choice of date:
6: [...] having been told who Mordecai's people were, Haman plotted to do away with all the Jews, Mordecai's people, throughout the kingdom of Ahasuerus.
7: In the first month, that is, the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, pur—which means "the lot"—was cast before Haman concerning every day and every month, [until it fell on] the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar.[14]
Purim narrative
The
At this feast, Ahasuerus becomes thoroughly drunk, and prompted by his courtiers, orders his wife Vashti to 'display her beauty' naked before the nobles and populace, while wearing her royal crown. According to the
Shortly afterwards, Mordecai discovers a plot by two palace guards Bigthan and Teresh to kill Ahasuerus. They are apprehended and hanged, and Mordecai's service to the King is recorded in the daily record of the court.[15]
Ahasuerus appoints
Esther says she will fast and pray for three days and asks Mordechai to request that all Jews of Persia fast and pray for three days together with her. She will then approach the King to seek his help, despite the law against doing so, and declares, 'If I perish, I perish.' On the third day, she seeks an audience with Ahasuerus, during which she invites him to a feast in the company of Haman. During the feast, she asks them to attend a further feast the next evening. Meanwhile, Haman is again offended by Mordecai's refusal to bow to him; egged on by his wife Zeresh and unidentified friends, he builds a gallows for Mordecai, with the intention to hang him there the very next day.[16]
That night, Ahasuerus suffers from insomnia, and when the court's daily records are read to him to help him fall asleep, he learns of the services rendered by Mordecai in the earlier plot against his life. Ahasuerus asks whether anything was done for Mordecai and is told that he received no recognition for saving the King's life. Just then, Haman appears, and King Ahasuerus asks him what should be done for the man that the King wishes to honor. Thinking that the King is referring to Haman himself, Haman says that the honoree should be dressed in the King's royal robes and led around on the King's royal horse. To Haman's horror, the king instructs Haman to render such honors to Mordecai.[17]
Later that evening, Ahasuerus and Haman attend Esther's second banquet, at which she reveals that she is Jewish and that Haman is planning to exterminate her people, which includes her. Ahasuerus becomes enraged and instead orders Haman hanged on the gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordecai. The previous decree against the Jewish people could not be nullified, so the King allows Mordecai and Esther to write another decree as they wish. They decree that Jewish people may preemptively kill those thought to pose a lethal risk. As a result, on 13 Adar, 500 attackers and 10 of Haman's sons are killed in Shushan. Throughout the empire 75,000 of the Jewish peoples' enemies are killed.[18] On the 14th, another 300 are killed in Shushan. No spoils are taken.[19]
Mordecai assumes the position of second in rank to Ahasuerus, and institutes an annual commemoration of the delivery of the Jewish people from annihilation.[20]
Scriptural and rabbinical sources
The primary source relating to the origin of Purim is the
The Tractate Megillah in the Mishnah (redacted c. 200 CE) records the laws relating to Purim. The accompanying Tosefta (redacted in the same period) and Gemara (in the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmud redacted c. 400 CE and c. 600 CE respectively)[23] record additional contextual details such as Queen Vashti having been the daughter of Belshazzar as well as details that accord with Josephus' such as Esther having been of royal descent. Brief mention of Esther is made in Tractate Hullin (Bavli Hullin 139b) and idolatry relating to worship of Haman is discussed in Tractate Sanhedrin (Sanhedrin 61b).
The work Esther Rabbah is a Midrashic text divided in two parts. The first part dated to c. 500 CE provides an exegetical commentary on the first two chapters of the Hebrew Book of Esther and provided source material for the Targum Sheni. The second part may have been redacted as late as the 11th century CE, and contains commentary on the remaining chapters of Esther. It too contains the additional contextual material found in the Josippon (a chronicle of Jewish history from Adam to the age of Titus believed to have been written by Josippon or Joseph ben Gorion).[24]
Historical views
Traditional historians
The 1st-century CE historian
The Josippon, a 10th-century CE compilation of Jewish history, includes an account of the origins of Purim in its chapter 4. It too follows the original biblical account and includes additional traditions matching those found in the Greek version and Josephus (whom the author claims as a source) with the exception of the details of the letters found in the latter works. It also provides other contextual information relating to Jewish and Persian history such as the identification of Darius the Mede as the uncle and father-in-law of Cyrus.[27]
A brief Persian account of events is provided by Islamic historian
Modern Biblical scholarship generally identifies
Observances
Purim has more of a national than a religious character, and its status as a holiday is on a different level from those days ordained holy by the Torah. Hallel is not recited.[36] As such, according to some authorities, business transactions and even manual labor are allowed on Purim under certain circumstances.[37] A special prayer (Al ha-Nissim – "For the Miracles") is inserted into the Amidah prayers during evening, morning and afternoon prayer services, and is also included in the Birkat Hamazon ("Grace after Meals").
The four main mitzvot (obligations) of the day are:[38]
- Listening to the public reading, usually in synagogue, of the Book of Esther in the evening and again in the following morning (k'riat megillah)
- Sending food gifts to friends (mishloach manot)
- Giving charity to the poor (matanot la'evyonim)
- Eating a festive meal (se'udat mitzvah)
The three latter obligations apply only during the daytime hours of Purim.[38]
Reading of the Megillah
The first religious ceremony which is ordained for the celebration of Purim is the reading of the Book of Esther (the "Megillah") in the synagogue, a regulation which is ascribed in the Talmud (Megillah 2a) to the Sages of the Great Assembly, of which Mordecai is reported to have been a member. Originally this regulation was only supposed to be observed on the 14th of Adar; later, however, Rabbi Joshua ben Levi (3rd century CE) prescribed that the Megillah should also be read on the eve of Purim. Further, he obliged women to attend the reading of the Megillah, because women were also part of the miracle. The commentaries offer two reasons as to why women played a major role in the miracle. The first reason is that it was through a lady, Queen Esther, that the miraculous deliverance of the Jews was accomplished (Rashbam). The second reason is that women were also threatened by the genocidal decree and were therefore equal beneficiaries of the miracle (Tosafot).[39] The Talmud prescribed three benedictions before the reading and one benediction after the reading. The Talmud added other provisions. For example, the reader is to pronounce the names of the ten sons of
The Megillah is read with a cantillation (a traditional chant) which is different from that which is used in the customary reading of the Torah. Besides the traditional cantillation, there are several verses or short phrases in the Megillah that are chanted in a different chant, the chant that is traditionally used during the reading of the book of Lamentations. These verses are particularly sad, or they refer to Jews being in exile. When the Megillah reader jumps to the melody of the book of Lamentations for these phrases, it heightens the feeling of sadness in the listener.[42]
In some places,[where?] the Megillah is not chanted, but is read like a letter, because of the name iggeret ("epistle"), which is applied[43] to the Book of Esther. It has been also customary since the time of the early Medieval era of the Geonim to unroll the whole Megillah before reading it, to give it the appearance of an epistle. According to halakha (Jewish law), the Megillah may be read in any language intelligible to the audience.[44]
According to the Mishnah (Megillah 30b),[45] the story of the attack on the Jews by Amalek, the progenitor of Haman, is also to be read.
Blessings before Megillah reading
Before the reading of the Megillah on Purim, both at night and again in the morning, the reader of the Megillah recites the following three blessings and at the end of each blessing the congregation then responds by answering "Amen" after each of the blessings.[46] At the morning reading of the Megillah the congregation should have in mind that the third blessing applies to the other observances of the day as well as to the reading of the Megillah:[46]
Hebrew | English |
---|---|
ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על מקרא מגלה
|
Blessed are You, My LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us regarding the reading of the Megillah. |
ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם שעשה נסים לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה
|
Blessed are You, My LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who has wrought miracles for our forefathers, in those days at this season. |
ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה
|
Blessed are You, My LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this season. |
Blessing and recitations after Megillah reading
After the Megillah reading, each member of the congregation who has heard the reading recites the following blessing.[46] This blessing is not recited unless a minyan was present for the Megillah reading:[46]
Hebrew | English |
---|---|
ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם האל הרב את ריבנו והדן את דיננו והנוקם את נקמתינו והמשלם גמול לכל איבי נפשנו והנפרע לנו מצרינו ברוך אתה יי הנפרע לעמו ישראל מכל צריהם האל המושיע
|
Blessed are You, My LORD, our God, King of the Universe, (the God) Who takes up our grievance, judges our claim, avenges our wrong; Who brings just retribution upon all enemies of our soul and exacts vengeance for us from our foes. Blessed are You My LORD, Who exacts vengeance for His people Israel from all their foes, the God Who brings salvation. |
After the nighttime Megillah reading the following two paragraphs are recited:[46]
The first one is an acrostic poem that starts with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, starting with "Who balked (... אשר הניא) the counsel of the nations and annulled the counsel of the cunning. When a wicked man stood up against us (... בקום עלינו), a wantonly evil branch of Amalek's offspring ..." and ending with "The rose of Jacob (ששנת יעקב) was cheerful and glad, when they jointly saw Mordechai robed in royal blue. You have been their eternal salvation (תשועתם הייתה לנצח), and their hope throughout generations."
The second is recited at night, but after the morning Megillah reading only this is recited:
The rose of Jacob was cheerful and glad, when they jointly saw Mordechai robed in royal blue. You have been their eternal salvation, and their hope throughout generations.
At night and in the morning:
Hebrew | English |
---|---|
שושנת יעקב צהלה ושמחה בראותם יחד תכלת מרדכי. תשועתם היית לנצח ותקותם בכל דור ודור. להודיע שכל קויך לא יבשו ולא יכלמו לנצח כל החוסים בך. ארור המן אשר בקש לאבדי ברוך מרדכי היהודי. ארורה זרש אשת מפחידי ברוכה אסתר בעדי וגם חרבונה זכור לטוב
|
To make known that all who hope in You will not be shamed (להודיע שכל קויך לא יבשו); nor ever be humiliated, those taking refuge in You. Accursed be Haman who sought to destroy me, blessed be Mordechai the Yehudi. Accursed be Zeresh the wife of my terrorizer, blessed be Esther who sacrificed for me—and Charvonah, too, be remembered for good (וגם חרבונה זכור לטוב) [for suggesting to the King that Haman be hanged on the gallows.[47]] |
Women and Megillah reading
Women have an obligation to hear the Megillah because "they also were involved in that miracle."[48] Orthodox communities, including most Modern Orthodox ones, however, generally do not allow women to lead the Megillah reading. Rabbinic authorities who hold that women should not read the Megillah for themselves, because of an uncertainty as to which blessing they should recite upon the reading, nonetheless agree that they have an obligation to hear it read. According to these authorities if women, or men for that matter, cannot attend the services in the synagogue, the Megillah should be read for them in private by any male over the age of thirteen.[49] Often in Orthodox communities there is a special public reading only for women, conducted either in a private home or in a synagogue, but the Megillah is read by a man.[50]
Some Modern Orthodox leaders have held that women can serve as public Megillah readers. Women's megillah readings have become increasingly common in more liberal Modern Orthodox Judaism, though women may only read for other women, according to Ashkenazi authorities.[51]
Blotting out Haman's name
When Haman's name is read out loud during the public chanting of the Megillah in the synagogue, which occurs 54 times, the congregation engages in noise-making to blot out his name. The practice can be traced back to the
Food gifts and charity
The Book of Esther prescribes "the sending of portions one man to another, and gifts to the poor".[54] According to halakha, each adult must give at least two different foods to one person, and at least two charitable donations to two poor people.[55] The food parcels are called mishloach manot ("sending of portions"), and in some circles the custom has evolved into a major gift-giving event.[56]
To fulfill the mitzvah of giving charity to two poor people, one can give either food or money equivalent to the amount of food that is eaten at a regular meal. It is better to spend more on charity than on the giving of mishloach manot.[55] In the synagogue, regular collections of charity are made on the festival and the money is distributed among the needy. No distinction is made among the poor; anyone who is willing to accept charity is allowed to participate. It is obligatory for the poorest Jew, even one who is himself dependent on charity, to give to other poor people.[55][57]
Purim meal (se'udah) and festive drinking
On Purim day, a festive meal called the Se'udat Purim is held.
There is a longstanding custom of drinking wine at the feast. The Talmud (b. Megillah 7b) records that "Rava said: A person is obligated to become intoxicated on Purim, until they cannot distinguish between 'Blessed be Mordecai' and 'Cursed be Haman'". Several interpretations arose among the late medieval authorities, although in general the classical sources are unanimous in rejecting intoxicated excess; only beginning with the Hasidic masters was drunkenness occasionally endorsed. Maimonides writes that one must "drink wine until drunk, and pass out from drink"; according to one view, he is interpreting the Talmud this way (a sleeping person cannot distinguish), but according to another, he is intentionally contradicting it. Joseph Karo writes that one must "never become drunk, as this is totally forbidden and leads to terrible sins. Rather, one must drink slightly more than usual", while Moses Isserles writes that one may drink more or less, so long as the intent is pure. Yechiel Michel Epstein suggests that "until" should be read exclusively, so that one is obligated to become drunk but not so drunk that they cannot distinguish Mordecai and Haman.[58]
Fasts
The
Customs
Greetings
It is common to greet one another on Purim in Hebrew with Chag Purim Sameach (חג פורים שמח, in Yiddish with ah freilichin Purim (א פרייליכן פורים) or in Ladino with Purim Allegre. The Hebrew greeting loosely translates to 'Happy Purim Holiday' and the Yiddish and Ladino translate to 'Happy Purim'.[61][62]
Masquerading
The custom of masquerading in costumes and the wearing of masks probably originated among the Italian Jews at the end of the 15th century.[63] The concept was possibly influenced by the Roman carnival and spread across Europe. The practice was only introduced into Middle Eastern countries during the 19th century. The first Jewish codifier to mention the custom was Judah Minz.[64] Iranian Jews use traditional Persian costumes and masks.[65]
The primary reason for masquerading is that it alludes to the hidden aspect of the miracle of Purim, which was "disguised" by natural events but was really the work of the Almighty.[66][67] Since charity is a central feature of the day, when givers and/or recipients disguise themselves this also allows greater anonymity thus preserving the dignity of the recipient.
Additional explanations are based on:
- Targum on Esther (Chapter 3) which states that Haman's hate for Mordecai stemmed from Jacob's 'dressing up' like Esau to receive Isaac's blessings;[68]
- Others who "dressed up" or hid whom they were in the story of Esther:
- Esther not revealing that she is a Jewess;[68]
- Mordecai wearing sackcloth;[68]
- Mordecai being dressed in the king's clothing;[68]
- "[M]any from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them" (Esther 8:17); on which the Vilna Gaon comments that those gentiles were not accepted as converts because they only made themselves look Jewish on the outside, as they did this out of fear;[68]
- To recall the episodes that only happened in "outside appearance" as stated in Talmud Megillah 12a)[69] that the Jews bowed to Haman only from the outside, internally holding strong to their Jewish belief, and likewise, God only gave the appearance as if he was to destroy all the Jews while internally knowing that he will save them.[68]
Burning of Haman's effigy
As early as the 5th century, there was a custom to burn an
Purim spiel
A Purim spiel (Purim play) is a comic dramatization that attempts to convey the saga of the Purim story.[73] By the 18th century, in some parts of Eastern Europe, the Purim plays had evolved into broad-ranging satires with music and dance for which the story of Esther was little more than a pretext. Indeed, by the mid-19th century, some were even based on other biblical stories. Today, Purim spiels can revolve around anything relating to Jews, Judaism, or even community gossip that will bring cheer and comic relief to an audience celebrating the day.[73][74]
Songs
Songs associated with Purim are based on sources that are Talmudic, liturgical and cultural. Traditional Purim songs include Mishenichnas Adar marbim be-simcha ("When [the Hebrew month of] Adar enters, we have a lot of joy"—Mishnah Taanith 4:1) and LaYehudim haitah orah ve-simchah ve-sasson ve-yakar ("The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor"—Esther 8:16).[b] The Shoshanat Yaakov prayer is sung at the conclusion of the Megillah reading. A number of children's songs (with non-liturgical sources) also exist: Once There Was a Wicked Wicked Man,[75][76] Ani Purim,[77] Chag Purim, Chag Purim, Chag Gadol Hu LaYehudim,[78][79] Mishenichnas Adar, Shoshanas Yaakov, Al HaNisim, VeNahafoch Hu, LaYehudim Hayesa Orah, U Mordechai Yatza, Kacha Yay'aseh, Chayav Inish, Utzu Eitzah.[80]
Traditional foods
On Purim,
Among Sephardic Jews, a fried pastry called fazuelos is eaten, as well as a range of baked or fried pastries called Orejas de Haman (Haman's Ears) or Hojuelas de Haman.[82] The Sephardic Jewish community in Jerusalem traditionally served Baklavas, Kadayıf, Travadicos, Figuela, Tichpichtil, and Ma'amoul during Purim.[83]
Seeds, nuts, legumes and green vegetables are customarily eaten on Purim, as the Talmud relates that Queen Esther ate only these foodstuffs in the palace of Ahasuerus, since she had no access to
Kreplach, a kind of dumpling filled with cooked meat, chicken or liver and served in soup, are traditionally served by Ashkenazi Jews on Purim. "Hiding" the meat inside the dumpling serves as another reminder of the story of Esther, the only book of Hebrew scriptures besides The Song of Songs that does not contain a single reference to God, who seems to hide behind the scenes.[85]
Arany galuska, a dessert consisting of fried dough balls and vanilla custard, is traditional for Jews from Hungary and Romania, as well as their descendants.[86]
In the Middle Ages, European Jews would eat nilish, a type of blintz or waffle.[87]
Special breads are baked among various communities. In
Among
Torah learning
There is a widespread tradition to study the Torah in a synagogue on Purim morning, during an event called "Yeshivas Mordechai Hatzadik" to commemorate all the Jews who were inspired by Mordechai to learn Torah to overturn the evil decree against them. Children are especially encouraged to participate with prizes and sweets due to the fact that Mordechai taught many children Torah during this time.[90]
In Jerusalem
Shushan Purim
Shushan Purim falls on Adar 15 and is the day on which Jews in Jerusalem celebrate Purim.[55] The day is also universally observed by omitting the Tachanun prayer and having a more elaborate meal than on ordinary days.[91]
Purim is celebrated on Adar 14 because the Jews in unwalled cities fought their enemies on Adar 13 and rested the following day. However, in
Today, there is debate as to whether outlying neighborhoods of Jerusalem are obliged to observe Purim on the 14th or 15th of Adar.
Outside of Jerusalem, Hasidic Jews don their holiday clothing on Shushan Purim, and may attend a tish and even give mishloach manot; however, this is just a custom and not a religious obligation.[citation needed]
Purim Meshulash
Purim Meshulash,[95] or the three-fold Purim, is a somewhat rare calendric occurrence that affects how Purim is observed in Jerusalem (and, in theory at least, in other cities that were surrounded by a wall in ancient times).[citation needed]
When Shushan Purim (Adar 15) falls on the
The minimum interval between occurrences of Purim Meshulash is three years (1974 to 1977; 2005 to 2008; will occur again 2045 to 2048). The maximum interval is 20 years (1954 to 1974; will occur again 2025 to 2045). Other possible intervals are four years (1977 to 1981; 2001 to 2005; 2021 to 2025; will occur again 2048 to 2052); seven years (1994 to 2001; will occur again 2123 to 2130); 13 years (1981 to 1994; 2008 to 2021; will occur again 2130 to 2143); and 17 years (1930 to 1947; will occur again 2275 to 2292).[citation needed]
Other Purims
Purim Katan
During leap years on the Hebrew calendar, Purim is celebrated in the second month of Adar. (The Karaites, however, celebrate it in the first month of Adar.) The 14th of the first Adar is then called Purim Katan ("Little Purim" in Hebrew) and the 15th is Shushan Purim Katan, for which there are no set observances but it has a minor holiday aspect to it. The distinctions between the first and the second Purim in leap years are mentioned in the Mishnah.[98] Certain prayers like Tachanun, Eil Erech Apayim (when 15 Adar I is a Monday or Thursday) and Lam'nazteach (Psalm 20) are omitted during the service. When 15th Adar I is on Shabbat, "Av Harachamim" is omitted. When either 13th or 15th Adar I falls on Shabbat, "Tzidkas'cha" is omitted at Mincha. Fasting is prohibited.[99]
Communal and familial Purims
Historically, many Jewish communities around the world established local "Purims" to commemorate their deliverance from catastrophe or an antisemitic ruler or edict. One of the best known is Purim Vinz, traditionally celebrated in Frankfurt one week after the regular Purim. Purim Vinz commemorates the Fettmilch uprising (1616–1620), in which one Vincenz Fettmilch attempted to exterminate the Jewish community.[100] According to some sources, the influential Rabbi Moses Sofer (the Chasam Sofer), who was born in Frankfurt, celebrated Purim Vintz every year, even when he served as a rabbi in Pressburg.
Rabbi Yom-Tov Lipmann Heller (1579–1654) of Kraków, Poland, asked that his family henceforth celebrate a private Purim, marking the end of his many troubles, including having faced trumped-up charges.[101] Since Purim is preceded by a fast day, the rabbi also directed his descendants to have a (private) fast day, the 5th day of Tamuz, marking one of his imprisonments (1629), this one lasting for 40 days.[102][103]
The Jewish community of Hebron has celebrated two historic Purims, both from the Ottoman period. One is called Window Purim, or Purim Taka, in which the community was saved when a bag of money mysteriously appeared in a window, enabling them to pay off an extortion fee to the Ottoman Pasha. Many record the date being the 14th of the month, which corresponds the date of Purim on 14 Adar.[104][105][106] The other was called The Purim of Ibrahim Pasha, in which the community was saved during a battle.[104]
Other historic Purim celebrations in Jewish history have occurred in Yemen, Italy, Vilna and other locations.[107][108][109]
In modern history
Adolf Hitler banned and forbade the observance of Purim. In a speech made on 10 November 1938 (the day after Kristallnacht), the Nazi politician and prominent anti-Semite Julius Streicher surmised that just as "the Jew butchered 75,000 Persians" in one night, the same fate would have befallen the German people had the Jews succeeded in inciting a war against Germany; the "Jews would have instituted a new Purim festival in Germany".[110]
Nazi attacks against Jews were often coordinated with Jewish festivals. On Purim 1942, ten Jews were hanged in Zduńska Wola to "avenge" the hanging of Haman's ten sons.[111] In a similar incident in 1943, the Nazis shot ten Jews from the Piotrków ghetto.[112] On Purim eve that same year, over 100 Jewish doctors and their families were shot by the Nazis in Częstochowa. The following day, Jewish doctors were taken from Radom and shot nearby in Szydłowiec.[112] In 1942, on Purim, the Nazis murdered over 5000 Jews, mostly children, in the Minsk Ghetto. All of the victims were shot and buried alive by the Nazis.[113]
Still, the Nazi regime was defied and Purim was celebrated in
In an apparent connection made by Hitler between his Nazi regime and the role of Haman, Hitler stated in a speech made on 30 January 1944, that if the Nazis were defeated, the Jews would celebrate "a second Purim".
There is a tale in the Hasidic Chabad movement that Joseph Stalin died as a result of some metaphysical intervention of the seventh Chabad leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, during the recitation of a discourse at a public Purim farbrengen.[119] Stalin was suddenly paralyzed on 1 March 1953, which corresponds to Purim 1953, and died four days later. Due to Stalin's death, nationwide pogroms against Jews throughout the Soviet Union were averted, as Stalin's infamous doctors' plot was halted.[120][121]
The Cave of the Patriarchs massacre took place during Purim of 1994.[122] The Dizengoff Center suicide bombing took place on the eve of Purim killing 13 on 4 March 1996.[123]
In 2024, ahead of Purim, Israel's Education Ministry issued a directive to schools and kindergartens about avoiding "panic-inducing costumes" in view of the ongoing
In the media
The 1960 20th Century-Fox film Esther and the King stars Joan Collins as Esther and Richard Egan as Ahasuerus. It was filmed in Italy by director Raoul Walsh. The 2006 movie One Night with the King chronicles the life of the young Jewish girl, Hadassah, who goes on to become the Biblical Esther, the Queen of Persia, and saves the Jewish nation from annihilation at the hands of its arch enemy while winning the heart of the fiercely handsome King Xerxes.[125]
The 2006 comedy film For Your Consideration employs a film-within-a-film device in which the fictitious film being produced is titled Home for Purim, and is about a Southern Jewish family's Purim celebration. However, once the film receives Oscar buzz, studio executives feel it is "too Jewish" and force the film to be renamed Home for Thanksgiving.[126]
Gallery
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Purim (1657 engraving)
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Purim (1699 engraving)
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18th-century manuscript of the prayer of Al HaNissim on the miracles of Purim
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1740 illumination of an Ashkenazic megillah reading. One man reads while another follows along and a child waves a noise-maker.
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Purim woodcut (1741)
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Megillah reading (1764)
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Frozen-themed Megillah reading (2014)
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President of Israel Isaac Herzog attends megillah reading (2022)
See also
- Jewish holidays
- Public holidays in Israel
- Jewish holidays 2000–2050
- Purim humor
Extensions of Jewish festivals which are similar to Shushan Purim and Purim Katan
- Chol HaMoed, the intermediate days between Passover and Sukkot.
- Isru chag refers to the day after each of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals.
- Mimouna, a traditional North African Jewish celebration which is held the day after Passover.
- Pesach Sheni, is exactly one month after 14 Nisan.
- Yom Kippur Katan is a practice which is observed by some Jews on the day which precedes each Rosh Chodesh or New-Moon Day.
- Yom tov sheni shel galuyot refers to the observance of an extra day of Jewish holidays outside the land of Israel.
Persian(ate) Jewry
- Persian Jews
- Judeo-Persian language
- History of the Jews in Iran
- History of the Jews in Afghanistan
- Mountain Jews
- Bukharan Jews
Notes
- ^ From the Hebrew word פור (pur), translated as 'lot' in the Book of Esther, perhaps related to Akkadian pūrum (𒎎𒁓, lit. 'stone' or 'urn');[13] also called the Festival of Lots.
- ^ A children's song called "Light, Gladness, Joy, Honor," based on the previously-mentioned Esther 8:16 quote, is sung in some Reform Jewish communities, but since it is based on a liturgical quote, it would not be in the list of songs above.
References
- ^ Ahasuers. 1906. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ^ Universal Dictionary of the Arts, Sciences, Literature etc. Vol. 9. Edinburgh: John Brown, Anchor Close (Printers). 1816. p. 82. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ISBN 978-0982763100. Archivedfrom the original on 17 October 2015.
- ISBN 9780692375426.
- ^ "Esther 2 / Hebrew – English Bible". Mechon-Mamre.
- ^ Esther 9:22
- ^ Barclay, Elozor; Yitzchok Jaeger (27 January 2004). "Gifts to the Poor". Aish.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ISBN 978-1-57607-987-4.
- ^ "The Henna Page - Henna Traditions of Purim in Kurdistan". www.hennapage.com. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "Purim 2012 Guide". Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayyim 685:1
- ^ Köhler, Ludwig; Baumgartner, Walter (2016). HALOT. OakTree Software.
- ^ Klein, Ernest (1966). A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language. Elsevier. p. 1274.
- ISBN 9780827602526, retrieved 16 April 2024
- ^ Esther chapters 1 and 2
- ^ Esther chapters 3–5
- ^ Mindel, Nissan. The Complete Story of Purim Archived 22 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Esther chapters 9–16
- ^ Esther chapters 6–9
- ^ Esther chapters 9–10
- ^ NIV Study Bible, Introductions to the Books of the Bible, Esther, Zondervan, 2002
- Bava Basra15a.
- ISBN 978-0-7425-4671-4. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ Moshe David Herr, Encyclopedia Judaica 1997 CD-ROM Edition, article Esther Rabbah, 1997
- ^ Contra Apionem which quotes a work referred to as Peri Ioudaion (On the Jews), which is credited to Hecataeus of Abdera(late fourth century BCE).
- ^ Hoschander, Jacob (1923). The Book of Esther in the Light of History. Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ David Flusser, Josephus Goridines (The Josippon) (Vols. 1–2), The Bialik Institute, 1978
- ^ Ehsan Yar-Shater, The History of al-Tabari : An Annotated Translation, SUNY Press, 1989
- ^ a b Moshe Perlmann trans., The Ancient Kingdoms, SUNY Press, 1985
- ^ a b Said Amir Arjomand, Artaxerxes, Ardasir and Bahman, The Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 118, 1998
- ^ The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition article Abd al-Hasan Ali ibn al-Husayn Masudi, Columbia University Press, 2007
- ^ Lewis Bayles Paton, Esther: Critical Exegetical Commentary, Continuum International Publishing Group, 2000
- ^ Abd al-Hasan Ali ibn al-Husayn Masudi, Murūj al-dhahab (Meadows of Gold), ed. and French transl. by F. Barbier de Meynard and Pavet du Courteille, Paris, 1861
- ^ Richard James Horatio Gottheil ed., Persian Literature, Volume 1, Comprising The Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan, Colonial Press, 1900
- ISBN 978-1-009-26612-3.
- ^ Flug, Joshua. Why Don't We Recite Hallel on Purim? Archived 22 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Yehuda Shurpin, Why Is Work Permitted on Purim? Chabad.org
- ^ a b "Purim How-To Guide – Your Purim 2019 guide contains the story of Purim, and all you need to know about the 4 mitzvahs of Purim and the other observances of the day". Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ Pesachim 108b
- ^ Esther 9:7–10
- ^ Reciting Verses Aloud in Honor of Esther During the Megillah Reading Responsa in a Moment: Volume 2, Issue No. 6, March 2008 Orah Hayyim 690:17
- ^ Megilla Magic: Unique Motifs in the Book of Esther
- ^ Esther 9:26, 29
- ^ Megillah 17a
- ^ Exodus 17:8–16
- ^ ISBN 978-0-89906-014-9.
- ^ Esther 7:9
- ^ Babylonian Talmud Megillah 4a
- ^ Chaim Rapoport, Can Women Read the Megillah? An in-depth exploration of how the mitzvah of Megillah applies to women.
- ^ Rabbi Yehuda Henkin. "Women's Issues : Women and Megillah Reading" (PDF). Nishmat.net. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ Frimer, Aryeh A. "Women's Megilla Reading Archived 2008-03-21 at the Wayback Machine" published in Wiskind Elper, Ora, ed. Traditions and Celebrations for the Bat Mitzvah (Jerusalem: Urim Publications, 2003), pp. 281–304.
- ^ Deuteronomy 25:19
- ^ "Comunicado sobre la actitud en los festejos de Purim". 22 February 2018.
- ^ Esther 9:22
- ^ a b c d e Barclay, Rabbi Elozor and Jaeger, Rabbi Yitzchok (2001). Guidelines: Over two hundred and fifty of the most commonly asked questions about Purim. Southfield, MI: Targum Press.
- ^ "What is Purim? A Time For Joy and Giving". 2 March 2017.Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ^ Maya Balakirsky Katz, Gifts of Food, Gifts of Identity: The Ritual Significance of Purim Baskets, Journal Jewish Social Studies
- ^ "Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 695:3". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Jewish Holidays: The Fast of Esther". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ Simmons, Rabbi Shraga (9 May 2009). "Fast of Esther". Aish. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ "Happy Purim – Traditional Purim Greetings". Chabad.
- ^ a b Alhadeff, Ty (26 February 2015). "Sephardic Purim Customs from the Old World to the Pacific Northwest".
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia. Archivedfrom the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ "Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 696:8". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ Liora Hendelman-Baavur, Iranian Jews and Their Identity: A Study of the Jewish Community of Tehran
- ^ Hagiz, Moses. Minhagei Kol Aryeh Eileh Hamitzvot. p. 293.
- ISBN 978-1-58330-411-2. Archivedfrom the original on 17 October 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Rabbi Moshe Taub (21 February 2018). "The Shul Chronicles". Ami Magazine. No. 356. pp. 138–139.
- ^ Megillah 12a (in Hebrew) – via Wikisource.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4067-4781-2. Archivedfrom the original on 17 October 2015.
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, 1911 edition: Purim.
- ISBN 978-0-8143-2392-2. Archivedfrom the original on 17 October 2015.
- ^ a b "The Fascinating Evolution of the Purim-Spiel". ReformJudaism.org. 13 March 2014.
- ^ "Fiche d'inventaire du patrimoine culturel immateriel de la france « pourim-shpil »" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
- ^ "Haman, A Wicked Man". Musicnotes. 2001. Archived from the original on 19 March 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ "Wicked, Wicked Man". Zemerl. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ "Purim Songs: Ani Purim". Congregation B'nai Jeshurun. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007.
- ^ "Chag Purim". Chabad.org. 2011. Archived from the original on 16 March 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ "Purim Songs for the AJ Family Megillah Reading". Adath Jeshurun. 2007. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ "Purim Songs". Aish.com. 2 February 2003. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ "Best Hamantaschen Fillings". www.kosher.com. 10 February 2020.
- ^ Claudia Roden, (2006), The Book of Jewish Food: An Odyssey from Samarkand and Vilna to the Present Day, Penguin Books, p. 592
- ^ רשליקה - Rashelika - ניחוח המטבח הירושלמי ספרדי המסורתי. 1999. pp. 82-87
- ^ "Purim: The Poppy Seed Connection – Jewish Holidays". 25 February 2009.
- ^ "What Are Kreplach?". www.chabad.org.
- ^ "Golden walnut dumplings - Aranygaluska | Zserbo.com". zserbo.com.
- ^ Ari Jacobs & Abe Lederer (2013), Purim: Its Laws, Customs and Meaning, Jerusalem, Israel: Targum Press. p. 158.
- ^ "Ojos de Haman (The Eyes of Haman)". Jewish Holidays. 1 January 1970.
- ^ "Purim Traditions You've Never Heard Of". www.kosher.com. 5 March 2019.
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- Jewish Encyclopedia. Archivedfrom the original on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-881939-05-4. Archivedfrom the original on 17 October 2015.
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- ^ "זמני הפורים בישובים החדשים ביהודה, שומרון ובארץ בנימין / יואל אליצור". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
- ^ Aish.com: (Although grammatically it is Purim hameshulash, people usually call it 'Purim Meshulash.') "Purim Meshulash".
- ^ Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayyim 688:6
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- ^ Megillah 1/46b; compare Orach Chayim 697.
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- ISBN 978-0827608290. Archivedfrom the original on 28 February 2018.
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- ^ "Other Purims". www.chabad.org. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
- Abraham Danzig (Gunpowder Purim) "Gunpowder Purim".
- ISBN 978-1-60344-015-8. Archivedfrom the original on 17 October 2015.
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- ^ ISBN 978-0-691-12491-9.
- ISBN 0375409009.
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according to the October 16, 1946 issue of the New York Herald Tribune
- ^ Kingsbury-Smith, Joseph (16 October 1946). "The Execution of Nazi War Criminals". Nuremberg Gaol, Germany. International News Service. Retrieved 26 February 2021 – via University of Missouri–Kansas City.
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- ^ French bestseller unravels Nazi propagandist's cryptic last words about Purim Archived 10 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Times of Israel 28 December 2012
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- ISBN 978-0-521-24713-9.
- ISBN 978-0-7146-5050-0.
- ^ Church, George J.; Beyer, Lisa; Hamad, Jamil; Fischer, Dean; McAllister, J.F.O. (7 March 1994). "When Fury Rules". Time. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "Behind the Headlines: a Year Without Purim; No Parades, Only Funerals". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 5 March 1996. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
- ^ Israeli Ministry Warns of ‘Panic-Inducing’ Purim Costumes, JNS, February 25, 2024
- ISBN 978-1614513261. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ For Your Consideration at AllMovie
External links
- Chabad Purim Resources
- Yeshiva Laws, articles and Q&A on Purim
- Peninei Halakha The month of Adar and the holiday of Purim, minhagim (customs) and halachot (laws) by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed
- Union for Reform Judaism Purim Resources Archived 6 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine
- The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Purim Resources Archived 1 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- "Purim" . New International Encyclopedia. 1905.
- Purim celebrations in the IDF, Exhibition in the IDF&defense establishment archives Archived 28 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine
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