Posted on 03/01/2018 5:00:54 AM PST by judeasamaria
Today, Jewish people from around the world celebrate the holiday of Purim. Purim commemorates the day in which the Jewish people living in areas controlled by the Persian empire were victorious in fighting against their enemies – those who had plotted to destroy them – and were victorious. The word purim or “lots” in Hebrew refers to the lots which were drawn by the wicked Haman, advisor to King Ahasuerus, to determine the best date to eradicate the Jews on. It was during the period between the destruction of the first Holy Temple and the building of the second Holy Temple that the majority of the Jewish people resided in areas controlled by the Persian empire, which during the Purim story, was ruled by King Ahasuerus. Haman had asked the King for permission to destroy the Jewish people – a request that the king agreed to without hesitation. Haman then drew the purim to determine which day would be most suitable for him to carry out his wicked plot.
The day that Haman’s purim fell out on was the 13th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. After a series of independent events which worked together in the Jewish people’s favor, in a most miraculous and beautiful way, King Ahasuerus reversed his decision, had Haman and his 10 sons were hung, the king gave the Jewish people permission to kill their enemies and promoted Mordecai to one of the most senior positions in his kingdom – replacing Haman. Some of the events that led up to the Jewish people’s victory and which are an integral part of the Purim story include: the capital of the kingdom being moved to the city in which Mordecai resided, the king killing his first wife, Vashti, the subsequent marriage of King Ahasuerus to Esther – a Jewish woman who he fell in love with and, Mordecai saving the life of the king. The full story of Purim is recorded in Megillat Esther (Scroll of Esther).
To commemorate the miraculous string of events that led to the Jewish people’s victory, the following customs are observed on the holiday of Purim.
-Megillat Esther is read once at night and once on the following morning. -Select portions of the Bible that relate to the day are read in synagogue. -Food gifts are given to one another. -A festive meal with wine is held. -Charity is given to poor people for the purpose of enabling them to also participate in the celebrations of the day.
This year, Purim will be celebrated from sundown on Wednesday to sundown on Thursday night. In Jerusalem, Purim will be observed from sundown on Thursday to sundown on Friday night. Happy Purim!
Happy Purim to all of our Jewish FRiends.
I wonder:
“This year, Purim will be celebrated from sundown on Wednesday to sundown on Thursday night. In Jerusalem, Purim will be observed from sundown on Thursday to sundown on Friday night.”
Why that difference between which dates it celebrated in the U.S. and Israel.
So that Jews around the world will be celebrating Purim at the same moment regardless of time zones. Yom Tov!
https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/645278/jewish/Shushan-Purim.htm
Shushan Purim
Why Jerusalem celebrates a day later
By Naftali Silberberg
The battles fought between the Jews and their enemies throughout the Persian empire took place on 13 Adar. Around the world, the Jews rested and celebrated on the following day—14 Adar.
In the capital city of Shushan, however, where there were a greater number of Jew-haters, the fighting continued for two days, 13 and 14 Adar. The victory celebrations in Shushan were thus held on the 15th...
Thanks so much.
Thanks.
Not to be picky but:
After a series of independent events which worked together in the Jewish people’s favor, in a most miraculous and beautiful way, King Ahasuerus reversed his decision,
Only independent events if you do not see God's hand in it. King Ahasurus did NOT reverse his decision, he just said that the Jews were permitted to defend themselves, and they did.
Nonetheless; Happy Purim.
Thanks for the post. Happy Purim from Oklahoma.
I’m not a Jew, but I celebrate Purim. I think it’s neat.
It is my favorite 2nd-tier Jewish holiday.
When I was young I thought it was close to St. Patrick’s day. Maybe I was way off.
I am not Jewish either but growing up my best friend was and we celebrated each other’s holidays. It was lovely and I learned so very much about other customs.
When I saw the thread it brought back so many lovely memories of a happy carefree childhood that I couldn’t resist wishing all the happiest of holidays.
The Hebrew calendar is lunar not solar. There are also the matter of leap months inserted every so often. Date overlap the between the two can swing widely.
Listened to the whole Megillah (Scroll/Book of Esther); beautiful, poignant, and hopeful, thanks be to Him that preserves the Jews from the adversary.
I shall take your recommendation, thank you!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.