Purim

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim, in Mea Shearim ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem, March 22, 2019

Purim (“lots”), described in the biblical Book of Esther, marks the salvation of ancient Persian Jews from a plot to wipe them out. The story transpired in Shushan, the walled capital city of Persia, where, according to the scroll, the plot was only fully foiled on the 15th day of Adar. The scroll describes how Esther, a Jewish orphan, became queen to King Ahasuerus, and was thus in a position to foil the schemes of Haman, the evil vizier who planned the genocide. She was alerted to the plot by Mordechai, her uncle, was evidently on the king’s council.  

The name of the holiday reflects the Pur – the lots drawn by Haman to determine when exactly his (ultimately unsuccessful) plot to destroy the Jewish people was to be carried out.

A Purim parade in Tel Aviv: Could the custom of costumes have originated in pre-Lent festivities?

Why Do Jews Dress Up for Purim?

Something borrowed, something Lent? The custom seems to have arisen in 13th century Italy, as festivities and masquerading escalated towards Shrove Tuesday

Elon Gilad
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A Jewish man collects food from a soup kitchen, Jerusalem, Israel, January 13, 2010.

Have We Forgotten the Jewish Poor?

The custom of giving 'mishloah manot' makes Purim a good time to consider our obligation as Jews to specifically help others – but not just any others.

Jared Samilow
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Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theorists Don't Stop at Hate Speech

When Stalin publicly 'disclosed' a plot, part of a vast conspiracy, led by Jews working for the United States, to kill him and destroy the Soviet Union, he followed up by building four giant prison camps for the USSR’s Jews. Only Purim stopped him.

Avi Shafran
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