Purim is a Jewish holiday that most resembles a carnival. It is celebrated on the full moon. Purim falls, a Jewish holiday, on the fourteenth day of the month called Adar. Usually this date corresponds to March or February according to the Gregorian calendar.
What is Purim dedicated to?
Dedicated to Purim, the Jewish holiday, to the event described in the Book of Esther, the deliverance from Haman, the oppressor of Persian Jews. Its very name comes from the word "pur", meaning "lot". Haman wanted to destroy his enemies, the Jews, on a certain day. This day (the thirteenth month of Hadar) was chosen by lot. Miraculously, however, the Jews were not only not wiped off the face of the earth, but they managed to defeat the enemies, and on the fourteenth of the day they celebrated their victory. Hence the name Purim (Jewish holiday).
What is the date of Purim in different cities of Israel?
In the capital of Persia (today the country is called Iran), in the city of Shushan, surrounded by a fortress wall, victory was won a day later, and therefore it was celebrated here on 15 Hadars of 3405. In this regard, the sages decided that in the cities of Purim surrounded by a fortified wall 15 adaras would be celebrated. In our time, therefore, it is celebrated in Tel Aviv on the 14th. And in Jerusalem, 15 Hadar celebrates Purim, the Jewish holiday.
Binge
Purim's keynote is festive ceremonial fun. The Talmud on this day allows the Jew to drink as long as he can distinguish the phrase "Damn Haman!" from "Long live Mordechai!". It is necessary to pay tribute to the Jews, other covenants of the faith who do not keep. They try that day with all their might to fulfill the command of the Talmud. A symbolic glass of whiskey is drunk even by convinced teetotalers. The Jewish holiday of Purim in modern Israel has become like a carnival. Having fun, they shout the following phrase: "Hell is poison!" These are words from the Talmud, which mean in translation: "Until he ceases to distinguish."
Post Esther (Esther)
A fast in honor of Esther begins on the eve of the holiday. It lasts all day. His laws do not differ from the rules of other posts (for example, the Tenth Tevet or the Post of Gedaliah).
Esfiri’s book tells us that she asked Mordecai to gather all the Jews in the capital for a three-day prayer and fasting. Only after this Esther went with a request for mercy of the people to the king. She, breaking the law of the court, exposed herself to mortal danger.
The fasting of Esther in the synagogues begins with the morning prayer “Slihot” (that is, the prayer of repentance). In addition, a passage from the Torah is also read. It speaks of how, in prayer for a people who sinned by worshiping the golden calf, Moses intercedes.
From fasting, they immediately begin the holiday and have fun in Purim (the date of the celebration is the 14th day of the Adar). The abrupt transition reminds us that fun, not mixed with sorrow, does not exist in this world.
Celebration in the synagogue
People after sunset go to the synagogue. A lot of children in the synagogue in Purim. This is an evening in the House of God for children. So this holiday was conceived, so it remained. Children on this day feel their rights and enjoy. They enter the synagogue with rattles and flags that make indescribable noise.
Then, after evening prayer, the Book of Esther is read. It begins solemnly and seriously with the blessing of reading. The first verses are chanted, to a special motive accepted only on Purim. At the same time, the children are intrigued.
Saying the name of Haman in the synagogue
The first chapter is read, followed by the second, after which comes the moment of uttering the long-awaited phrase mentioning Aman. This word causes a clatter, whistling in the Jewish holiday of Purim. Patiently waiting for the reader. Gradually, the noise subsides. He continues to read, and when he comes back to the word "Haman," the stamping and whistling are repeated again. Reading at this does not stop, but noise is increasingly resuming. It captivates children more and more. Every now and then during reading, the intense silence at every mention of the name of Aman is replaced by noise. There are places in the Book of Esther where it appears several times in a short paragraph. Curses and screams sound like pistol shots in Purim (Jewish holiday). When the reader’s patience is finally exhausted (it is impossible to read when you are interrupted every minute), he, turning to the children, shakes his fists, casts an imploring glance at the rabbi. Of course, the guys are just waiting for this. They accept the challenge. The ruthless struggle between the children and the reader continues to the very end. He is trying, with a tongue twister, to slurp the name of Haman, but this does not help. Every time, no matter what, it causes loud screams. Finally, the defeated reader, angry, desperate, recites, stammering, the last verses. Again the synagogue is announced with frantic cries. Of course, it is unfair that the reader in his role seems to take on the hatred caused by Haman, but this is usually what happens.
By tradition, the Purim festival is celebrated in this way. This custom is very tenacious, and most even reformist and conservative American Jewish congregations are familiar with it. Fun interludes contain all living religions.
Facial expressions
Violent fun in Purim continues. On this day, according to tradition, various facial expressions are given. Wandering artists once performed with success in Russian and Polish villages a play about Aman and Esther. Today, this story is played out in make-up and appropriate costumes in schools.
The Torah of Purim
Even in the solitary offices in which the pious Jews study the Scriptures, humor invades. The Torah of Purim is a semblance of a parody of a scholarly treatise. Using the Talmudic method, it proves the "truth" of utter absurdities. Such bizarre logic is designed to show inconsistencies in the strict Talmudic method.
The Purim Meaning
Purim is a Jewish holiday, the most enchanting of the rest. The performances organized at that time in modern yeshivas turned into various parody improvisations with music and couplets. Of the venerable people, not one is safe from ridicule on this day. The rabbis and deans on their own initiative participate in the fun, even to the detriment of themselves. Purim is a kind of spare valve, thanks to which, along with buffoonery and fun, the nervous tension and irritation accumulated over the whole year are released.
However, this is not only time for amusement and entertainment. Purim imposes the following four religious duties on a Jew: to give alms to the poor, to listen to the reading of Megila (that is, the story of Esther), to make gifts to friends and neighbors, and to have a fun meal. Giving gifts (offering gifts) is called Mishloah Manot. It is customary to bring each other drink and food, which are drunk and eaten on the same day.
Micheloach Manot
No wonder the ancestors attached great importance to this holiday. They carried food from house to house, wrapped in linen and laid in plates. One had to be very careful: if the too scrupulous relative sent the wrong food or the wrong amount, the person to whom it was intended could be offended. A meal in Purim called the seuda usually began at noon and continued throughout the day. Surrounded by the guests, the family began to eat and drink, and then ate the Mishloah Manot as they offered it. All doors were open, and guests roamed from one feast to another. There was no poor man among the Jews who would not be accepted that day in any house wherever he went. This custom in very religious communities continues to operate to this day. In the United States, it may no longer be fully recoverable.
During the meal, gomantashen is served (in translation - "Haman's ears") - a special dessert, as well as triangular-shaped small cakes with poppy seeds, apricots, prunes and other filling.
The traditional delicacies of this holiday include these pies, reminiscent of either Aman's ears, or his pockets, or a hat. The sweet filling, which is hidden inside this delicacy, hints at the participation of the Almighty in this story. It has also become a custom in Eastern Europe to serve large challah with raisins in Purim, since pronouncing blessings on Gamotsi bread is an obligatory part of the meal. Other dishes are also served, including turkey, kreplah (stuffed dumplings), seeds and beans.
This is the celebration of Purim in Israel, as well as in other countries in which Jewish communities exist.