What is Purim?
The Jewish holiday Purim celebrates the miracle God performed for the Jewish people during the time of the Persian Empire.
Hamen, second in command to the king, had a plot to destroy the Jewish people. Queen Esther was married to the king, Achashverosh. She, together with Mordechai (whom many authorities say was Esther's uncle), was the one to discover Hamen's scheme. They warned the king about Hamen's evil ways. Because of King Achashverosh's love for Esther, the king put a stop to Hamen's plan. Hamen's evil plan did not come to fruition, and Hamen himself was killed. However, Hamen had picked a day on which to kill the Jews, and the king could not revoke Hamen's decree. What he did do, however, was to decree that the Jewish people could defend themselves. The Jewish people fought and won.
Purim is observed on the fourteenth of the Jewish month of Adar. This generally falls sometime in late February to mid March.
The root of the name 'Purim' comes from the word 'pur', which means 'lots'. When Hamen was deciding which day to kill the Jews, he drew lots.
Purim is observed on the 14th or 15th of the Jewish month of Adar, depending on where you live. This generally falls sometime in late February to mid March.
The Observance of Purim
.There are four mitzvot which are obligatory on Purim: the reading of Megillat Esther, festivity and rejoicing, Shalach Manot (sending gifts), and Matanot L'Evyonim (gifts to the poor). Explanations follow:
Like Hanukkah, Purim has more of a national than a religious character, and its status as a holiday is on a lesser level than those days ordained holy by the Torah. Accordingly, business transactions and even manual labor are allowed on Purim. A special prayer ("Al ha-Nissim"-"For the Miracles") is inserted into the Amidah during evening, morning and afternoon prayers, as well as is included in the Birkat Hamazon ("Grace after Meals.")
The four main mitzvot (obligations) of the day are:
1. 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)
2. Sending food gifts to friends (mishloach manot)
3. Giving charity to the poor (matanot la'evyonim)
4. Eating a festive meal (se`udah)
Reading of Megillat Esther
One is requires to read the Megillah both by day and night. One may read the Megillah all night until dawn, and from sunrise until sunset. If one has read the Megillah before sunrise but after dawn, one has fulfilled the obligation to read the Megillah. Both men and women are obligated to hear the Megillah two times.
Megillat Esther is the entire story of Purim. It is ten chapters long, and goes through the story of King Achashverosh, Mrodechai, Queen Esther, Hamen, and other 'minor' characters.
Since Hamen was such an evil man, it has become a custom to make noise any time his name is read in the Megillah. After the person reading the Megillah says the name 'Hamen', those listening make noise to symbolize stamping out his name and memory. Some make noise by booing, while others may use graggers, or noise-making devices, to obliterate his name.
Feasting and Rejoicing
It is a mitzvah to have a sumptuous meal on Purim, including meat dishes and wine. This feast must be held during the day. When Purim is in on Erev Shabbos -- as it was in Jerusalem in 5758 -- one must begin one's meal early in the afternoon before Mincha in order that one can finish early enough so as to have a good appetite for the Shabbos meal. The miracle of Purim came through wine. Vashti's downfall and Haman's downfall came through a wine feast! There is also a custom of drinking until intoxication as our Sages tell us, "A person is obligated to drink on Purim til he no longer knows the difference between cursed is Haman and blessed is Modechai." If one fears that he or she may be harmed by excessive drinking of wine or come to levity thereby or even forget the required brachot one is required to make, drinking excessively is not required.
Matanot L'Evyonim (Gifts for the Poor)
One is required to give at least two gifts to two poor people on Purim, in other words, one gift to each. Even a poor person who subsists on charity is required to perform this mitzvah. Although most commonly fulfilled through money, this obligation can be fulfilled through food or drink or even clothing. The gift should be sufficient to buy bread. The gifts to the poor are given during the day, usually after the reading of the Megillah.
Shalach Manot (Gifts to One Another)
One must give a gift which consists of two foods with different blessings to another person. Both men and women are included in this mitzvah. The food must consist of something edible or drinkable that does not need further cooking or preparation. One may send cooked meat, fish, cooked pastry, wine and other beverages. These gifts should be sent to as many people as one chooses but they should be sufficient to convey regard for the recipient. If at all possible, these gifts should be sent by messengers, rather than delivered personally because the Megillah uses the word mishloach (sending) for these gifts.
Click here for Hamantaschen Recipes
and here for Purim Gift Baskets
