A PURIM STORY

Hello ,

Growing up, Purim wasn’t on my radar. In Hebrew school it was reduced to a Jewish Halloween.

Purim is an incredible Jewish holiday! This one-day celebration has it all: heroes and villains, exuberance and joy, comradery and helping the poor, great food and wine, simple fun and incredibly deep philosophy, and most importantly, an opportunity to truly connect to the Divine.

So take a timeout from your busy day and dig in to this array of inspiring and thought-provoking content that will enhance your Purim immeasurably.

Purim Sameach!

Sincerely,
Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith
Editor in Chief, Aish.com


PURIM PRIMER
What Is Purim?
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

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Summing up the Purim holiday: They tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat.

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Purim is Judaism’s most dramatic, fun-filled holiday. When else can you dress up like a bunny rabbit and eat doughy triangles filled with poppy seeds?

Purim occurs on the 14th of Adar. (In certain walled cities like Jerusalem, “Shushan Purim” is celebrated the following day, the 15th of Adar.)

Purim celebrates the dramatic turn-around events, where the wicked Haman tried to annihilate the Jewish people of ancient Persia. The Jews were saved through God’s miraculous arranging of events, as expressed by the heroics of Mordechai and Esther.

There are four mitzvot specific to the holiday of Purim (see below).

30-Second History

Set in Persia 2,300 years ago, the Book of Esther – or the “Megillah” as it is commonly called – recounts how a seemingly unrelated series of events spun together to save the Jewish people from annihilation.

King Achashverosh throws a huge six-month party and Queen Vashti refuses to follow orders. After a global search, Esther becomes the new queen – but does not reveal her Jewishness. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews, uncovers a plot to assassinate the king – putting him also in a favorable position with the king. All this comes in handy when Haman, the king’s top advisor, obtains a decree to have all the Jews destroyed. (Purim is the Persian word for "lottery," used by Haman to determine a date for his planned destruction of the Jews.)

In the end, through a complex twist of events, Esther gets the decree reversed, Haman is hanged on the gallows, and Mordechai becomes prime minister.

The name Megillat Esther (Scroll of Esther) literally means "revealing the hidden." The Book of Esther is in the Bible, not mentioning God's name even once. The hidden hand of God is revealed through the maze of events.

Megillat Esther teaches us that life’s challenges are always for the best, because what appears as an obstacle is really an opportunity to develop ourselves for the better. And it all comes from God’s invisible hand that guides our fate, every step of the way.

Click for the full Megillah story.

Fast of Esther

Every year, the Fast of Esther is held on the day prior to Purim (Adar 13).

What is the source of this fast? In the Megillah (4:16), Esther agrees to see the king uninvited, and asks the Jewish people to fast for three days beforehand.

Also, the Jews fasted and prayed on the 13th of Adar in preparation for their defense against Haman's decree. As such, his is not a fast of sadness, but rather one of spiritual elevation and inspiration.

The fast begins at dawn and ends after nightfall. No eating or drinking is permitted. Since this is not a major fast, pregnant or moderately ill people are exempt from the fast. (Consult your rabbi.)

If the 13th falls on Shabbat, due to the honor of Shabbat, the fast is observed on Thursday, the 11th of Adar.

The Half-Shekel

On the eve of Purim, there is a custom to give three coins to charity, to recall the half-shekel (Machatzit HaShekel) donated annually to the Temple treasury during Adar. Three coins are given because in the Torah portion dealing with the half-shekel (Exodus 30:11-16), the word terumah (“donation”) appears three times.

Each coin should be the denomination of half the standard currency in that country (e.g. half a shekel, half a dollar, half a pound). The money is then given to the poor.

Reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther)

The Scroll of Esther (Megillah) is read on Purim night, and again the next day. We read it in the synagogue, because the larger the crowd, the greater publicity is given to the miracle of our being saved.

The entire Megillah must be read from a kosher scroll, written with proper ink, parchment, etc. Every word must be clearly heard.

The custom is to make noise at the mention of Haman's name, in keeping with the command to wipe out the remembrance of Amalek (Deut. 25:17-19). Similarly, the Shabbat before Purim is called Shabbat Zachor, because the Maftir portion features the command to remember (zecher) Amalek.

Mishloach Manot – Sending Food to Friends

On the day of Purim, we send two items of food to at least one person – Mishloach Manot. It is preferable to send ready-to-eat foods or drinks. The food should be of a respectable quantity according to the standards of the sender and recipient.

The reason for this mitzvah is to ensure that everyone has sufficient food for the Purim feast. More to the point, this increases love and friendship between Jews, providing an ideal opportunity to embrace our fellow Jews – irrespective of any religious or social differences. (After all, Haman did not discriminate amongst us.) For this reason, it is particularly good to give gifts to those who you may have had an argument with, or someone new in the community who needs a new friend.

According to some, it is preferable to send the gift via a third person, since the verse (Esther 9:22) describes the mitzvah as “sending” food packages to one another.

Matanot La’evyonim – Gifts to the Poor

On the day of Purim, it is also a special mitzvah to give money to at least two poor people – Matanot La’evyonim. Each poor person should be given at least the amount of food that is usually eaten at a regular meal, or the amount of money required to buy this.

It is preferable to do this after the Megillah reading, so that the blessing "She'hecheyanu" can apply to it.

If you do not know who is qualified to receive the gifts, then give the money to an authorized charity collector who will distribute the money on Purim for the purpose of fulfilling this mitzvah. The money may even be given to a charity collector before Purim, if he will distribute it on Purim day.

It is better to spend more on gifts to the poor (Matanot La'evyonim) than on Mishloach Manot. There is no greater joy than gladdening the hearts of orphans, widows and poor people. The Jewish people are one unit – we can’t possibly enjoy the holiday if poor people don’t have enough.

Rejoicing & the Purim Meal

The day's grand finale is the festive meal. The Purim seudah (feast) should begin during the daytime and extend until after dark.

We eat our fill and pamper our bodies – because it is the Jewish bodies that Haman sought to destroy. Also, we are obliged to imbibe alcohol (responsibly, of course) until one doesn't know the difference between “cursed is Haman” and “blessed is Mordechai."

We dress up in costumes, to let our defenses down and open up to the deeper reality of ourselves and our world. All our current problems and life's imperfections blend into good, until they become one unified expression of the Almighty’s infinite perfection.

On Purim we add "Al Ha'nisim" – an extra paragraph which describes the Purim miracle – to the Amidah prayer, and also to the Grace After Meals.

Shushan Purim

Residents of Jerusalem celebrate Purim one day later than other Jews, called “Shushan Purim.”

The Megillah (Esther 9:20-22) says that the Jews prevailed over their enemies on the 13th of Adar, and on the 14th they feasted to celebrate the victory. But in Shushan the capital, the battle lasted an extra day and the holiday was not celebrated until the 15th.

When the Sages instituted Purim, they took into account that Shushan was a walled city, and made the following stipulation: While most cities celebrate Purim on the 14th of Adar, cities which were walled at the time of Joshua should celebrate “Shushan Purim” on the 15th.

The only city that was definitely walled at time of Joshua is Jerusalem. Some cities in Israel – Jaffa, Akko, Hebron – have an additional Megillah reading on the 15th as a stringency.

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A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Never waste good agony. 
 
A PURIM STORY     
Purim is the annual celebration of the great deliverance of the Jewish people in the days of Queen Hadassah (Ester — Hadassah's captive name), as recorded in the Book of Ester in HOLY SCRIPTURE.  The Jewish TALMUD declares, "When Adar enters, JOY is increased."  Purim is the commemorative festivalcelebrated in the month of Adar (Adar II since this is a Jewish leap year) on the 14^th & 15^th day (March 20^th & 21^st).  These holy days are observed to honor the defeat of the enemies of GOD'S people.  Purim commemorates the downfall of Haman (means: tumult, confusion), the enemy of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire.  As such, Haman is a type of Satan, the accuser — the one who has throughout history, sought to eliminate the Hebrew race.  Haman had the king's servants cast lots (purim) to determine the date on which the Jews would be destroyed, but his wicked plan was thwarted because of GOD'S great mercy and the obedience of Hadassah (Queen Ester). 
 
"Purim (casting of lots)" is explained like this: Haman, having been warned that all enemies of the Jews had in the past met with frustration, being superstitious, decided that by a simple casting of lots he would determine the most favorable day for the slaughter.  The lots indicated that day to be the 13^th day of Adar, the 12^th month.  But, as it turned out, Haman was hanged on the same gallows which he had previously prepared for Mordecai, and all the Jews escaped a terrible massacre.  The next day, the 14^th of Adar, the victory was joyously celebrated. 
 
After the Persian royal advisor, Haman’s genocidal plot to rid the world of the Jewish people was foiled,"V’nahafoch Hu (roughly interpreted — “and the tables were turned”)!" became the rallying cry of the Jewish people during the month of Adar.  Jewish sages have advised [Tractate Ta’anit 29a] Jews throughout history to seek scheduling critical events, in which DIVINE assistance is desired, during the month of Adar. 
 
Many years after Haman and his ten sons were  hanged on a wooden gallows, our sins were judged and paid for on a wooden cross — when the HOLY ONE made HIS ultimate triumph over all wickedness, HE gave HISONLY-BEGOTTEN SON to mankind that they might be set free.  The vile Accuser (Satan) suffered a deathblow when sin's power was broken as the LORD Y’SHUA uttered the words, "It is finished!" [John 19. 30]   Lots(purim) were also cast at Y’SHUA'S crucifixion — this time it was for the garments of the SAVIOR, as had been amazingly prophesied, "They divided MY clothes among themselves, casting lots for MY garments."[Psalms (Tehillym) 22. 18 Tanakh, Kethuvim]   May we ever sanctify and praise the PRECIOUS NAME of the LORD GODfor defeating all our enemies, "With GOD we shall triumph; HE will trample our foes." [Psalms (Tehillym) 60. 12 Tanakh, Kethuvim]   Queen Hadassah (Ester) had been willing to die for her people's salvation.  MESSIAH Y’SHUA, the EVERLASTING KING, was not only willing, but did die in order that HIS people would be saved from eternal destruction! 
 
Jewish people do not merely say — this too shall pass  — rather, he is emphatically confident that — "GODwilling, this too shall pass" — and when it passes the Jewish people will somehow be the better for having endured . . . 
  "It happened just a brief sixty plus years ago, there was a useless little Jew standing in the huge unruly crowd when Hitler gave one of his extremely violent and rabid speeches promising the extermination of the Jewish people.  The bearded old Israelite chuckled delightedly throughout the entire harsh and merciless performance.  Noticing his absurd and inappropriate laughter, the fascist Fuehrer shrieked — You fool! you idiot! what are you so happy about when I just threatened the extermination of your people?  
  "So, I'll tell you already" — answered the old man: Pharaoh swore to destroy us, and you know that he himself was destroyed.  As a consequence, we have a lovely holiday called Passover when we eat Matzoh and Knaidlach and drink wine.  
  "The crazy madman, Haman, also wanted to destroy us — continued the Jew — and he was hanged on his own gallows.  Now we have the beautiful festival of Purim where we eat Hamantaschen (3-cornered fruit-filledcookie) and Kreplach (bite-size meat pies) and rejoice greatly."  
  "When Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated our Temple and tried to killed all who would not bow to his idol god, Zeus. And we celebrate for eight days every year the Festival of Lights (Chanukkah) with latkes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) and other various fried goodies.  
  And all the while you were standing up there ranting-and-raving, spouting out hot air and shouting insanely against the Jews...I couldn't help thinking about what a glorious time we will have when you too are destroyed, and about the delicious things we will eat to celebrate That Occasion." 
 
There is a portion of the TALMUD that reads: "When the Jew looks like a dog, then MESSIAH will come." This was never understood, until the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Desert Storm brought about an understanding — when the Jewish people were forced to wear gas masks — since anyone wearing them definitely. . . looks like a dog. 
 
As we remember the BLESSED DELIVERER, Y’SHUA ha’MASHIACH and as the Jewish people remember Queen Hadassah, we can praise HIM even as did King David: "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and my being, bless HIS HOLY NAME. Bless the LORD, O my soul and do not forget all HIS bountiful benefits.  HE forgives all your sins, heals all your diseases." [Psalms (Tehillym) 103. 1 - 3 Tanakh, Kethuvim]   Assuredly, JESUS' return is imminent, HE is coming very soon! Are you ready and watching? 
 
 
Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of JerUSAlem and all of Israel! 
Redeem Israel, O ELOHIYM, out of all their troubles!
“If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, let my right hand wither.”  Psalms 137:5
  Happy Purim!  Purim begins this evening at sundown.  The main event is reading the entire Book of Ester. Set in Persia 2,300 years ago, the "Megillah (as it is usually called, meaning scroll)" recounts how a seemingly unrelated series of events swirled together to save the Jewish people from annihilation.  The brief, but perceptive version is as follows:  When King Ahasuerus throws a huge six-month party and the queen, Vashti, refuses to follow orders, she is replaced by a new queen — Esther (Hadassah's captive name)the Jewess. Hadassah's cousin, Mordecai, the leader of the Jews, uncovers a plot to assassinate the king — putting him also in a favorable position with the king.  All this comes in handy when Haman, the king's top advisor, obtains a decree to have all the Jews destroyed.  In the end, through a complex twist of events, Esther gets the decree reversed, Haman is hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai, and Mordecai becomes prime minister. 
 
  Megillah Ester teaches us that life's challenges work out for the best, when we recognize what appear to be obstacles as opportunities to develop ourselves for the better and when we recognize that all things come from Omnipotent God's invisible hand that guides our lives. 
 Purim Teaches Us How To Respond To Anti-Semitism: Unfortunately Haman’s desire “to destroy and to slay and to annihilate every Jew from the young to the old, women and children” wasn’t obliterated with his death.  The optimists among us dared to hope that the Holocaust was the last gasp of genocidal anti-Semitism.  “Never again” we proclaimed.  Surely the world would have learned that a crime against Jews is a crime against humanity itself.  Yet it has taken but a little more than half a century for the age-old hatred that inspired Haman to once again erupt around the world.  Only when we proudly affirm our real selves as Jews or followers of the LORD Y’SHUA ha’MASHIACH and our values do we gain the respect we deserve.  We need to assert our identity — not mask it — with increased passion and vigor.  As we prepare to observe Purim this year, let us make the noise required to eradicate the genocidal ambitions of anti-Jewish/anti-CHRISTian hatred which still continues to plague us.  
Live for someONE greater than yourself.
"Hag Semaiach — Good Holiday!" 
 
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.

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