The Jewish Holiday of Purim Begins March 20, 2011
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The Jewish Festival of Purim
Jews celebrate Purim by reliving the Purim story through reading of the Megillah scroll, dressing up in Purim costumes, and eating foods related to the Purim story, hamentaschen or ozney haman (in Hebrew).
Purim is a holiday where Jews are told to "eat, drink, and be merry." It is celebrated every spring from sundown to sunset the next day (as all Jewish holidays are) on the 14th of Adar in the Hebrew calendar. This date usually falls in March on the Gregorian calendar.
Here are the dates for Purim in the next few years:
* Jewish Year 5770: sunset February 27, 2010 - nightfall February 28, 2010
* Jewish Year 5771: sunset March 19, 2011 - nightfall March 20, 2011
* Jewish Year 5772: sunset March 7, 2012 - nightfall March 8, 2012
* Jewish Year 5773: sunset February 23, 2013 - nightfall February 24, 2013
To shop for Purim greggers and other Purim merchandise from Israel follow this link.
A Megillah Scroll
The Contents of this Megillah
Click to take you to the section you are interested in
- The Story of Purim
- Blessings for Reading the Megillah
- Book of Esther
- Give to the Needy (Matanot La'evyonim)
- Purim Special Basket
- Eat, Drink and be Merry
- Let's Party This Purim!
- Megillat Esther | Megillah of Esther
- Special Prayers (Al Hanissim, Torah reading)
- Recipe for Hamentaschen
- Hamentaschen Recipes
- About lakeerieartists
- Do You Have Any Purim Stories to Share?
The Story of Purim
Book of Esther
The story of Purim is told in the Biblical book of Esther. The heroes of the story are Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman living in Persia, and her cousin Mordecai, who raised her as if she were his daughter. Esther was taken to the house of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, to become part of his harem. King Ahasuerus loved Esther more than his other women and made Esther queen, but the king did not know that Esther was a Jew, because Mordecai told her not to reveal her identity.The villain of the story is Haman, an arrogant, egotistical advisor to the king. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, so Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people. In a speech that is all too familiar to Jews, Haman told the king, "There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your realm. Their laws are different from those of every other people's, and they do not observe the king's laws; therefore it is not befitting the king to tolerate them." Esther 3:8. The king gave the fate of the Jewish people to Haman, to do as he pleased to them. Haman planned to exterminate all of the Jews.
Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. This was a dangerous thing for Esther to do, because anyone who came into the king's presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned. Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself, then went into the king. He welcomed her. Later, she told him of Haman's plot against her people. The Jewish people were saved, and Haman was hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai.
Blessings for Reading the Megillah
Purim Masks (Pk/12)
Purim Masks Craft Kit (Makes 12)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/18/2012)
Dazzle party guests with fantastic feathered Purim masks. Includes feathers, cardboard pieces (including crowns), circle beads, crystal and assorted color sequins, ribbons, paint, glue, glitter glaze and elastic strap. Pack of 12.
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Book of Esther
Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar, which is usually in March. The 13th of Adar is the day that Haman chose for the extermination of the Jews, and the day that the Jews battled their enemies for their lives. On the day afterwards, the 14th, they celebrated their survival. In leap years, when there are two months of Adar, Purim is celebrated in the second month of Adar, so it is always one month before Passover. The word "Purim" means "lots" and refers to the lottery that Haman used to choose the date for the massacre.
Purim Goodies
Purim Goodies
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 02/18/2012)
Purim Goodies is a beautifully illustrated children's book that tells about the many assorted ingredients related to the Purim Holiday and the importance of giving. The book also includes a Recipe for baking Hamantaschen as well as a glossary of Yiddish terms used throughout the story! Who could resist the tempting smell of fresh-baked Purim goodies? Kleineh Adella and Groyseh Adella just can t. And so ... they nibble on the torte, dip into the pudding, pinch the mandelbrot and ... even though they don t mean to ... completely gobble up the hamantaschen. But when these mischievous young maids attempt to deliver the Purim goodies to the families of their employers best friends ... oy vey, oy vey, there are only leftovers on the tray! Seasoned with humor, sprinkled with Yiddish words, sweetened with luscious illustrations and a delicious hamantaschen recipe, this book is sure to whet your appetite.
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Purim Customs
The Purim holiday is preceded by a minor fast, the Fast of Esther, which commemorates Esther's three days of fasting in preparation for her meeting with the king.The primary commandment related to Purim is to hear the reading of the book of Esther. The book of Esther is commonly known as the Megillah, which means scroll. Although there are five books of Jewish scripture that are properly referred to as megillahs (Esther, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations), this is the one people usually mean when they speak of The Megillah. It is customary to boo, hiss, stamp feet and rattle gragers (noisemakers) whenever the name of Haman is mentioned in the service. The purpose of this custom is to "blot out the name of Haman."
We are also commanded to eat, drink and be merry. According to the Talmud, a person is required to drink until he cannot tell the difference between "cursed be Haman" and "blessed be Mordecai," though opinions differ as to exactly how drunk that is. A person certainly should not become so drunk that he might violate other commandments or get seriously ill. In addition, recovering alcoholics or others who might suffer serious harm from alcohol are exempt from this obligation.
We are also commanded to send out gifts of food or drink, and to make gifts to charity. The sending of gifts of food and drink is referred to as shalach manot.
It is customary to hold carnival-like celebrations on Purim, to perform plays and parodies, and to hold beauty contests.
Purim Gragers/Greggers/Noisemakers
Boo, hiss, and stamp your feet!
Give to the Needy (Matanot La'evyonim)
Give charity to at least two needy individuals on Purim day.
The mitzvah is best fulfilled by giving directly to the needy. If, however, you cannot find poor people, place at least two coins into a charity box.
Sammy Spider's First Purim
Sammy Spider's First Purim
Amazon Price: $3.50 (as of 02/18/2012)
The Shapiro family is getting ready for Purim. Josh is making a grogger to take to the synagogue Megillah reading. Sammy Spider wants to participate, but as Sammy's mother reminds him, "Spiders don't celebrate holidays; spiders spin webs." This time Sammy's curiosity gets him stuck inside a grogger, spinning noisily among the beans. How will he escape?
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Send Food Portions to Friends (Mishloach Manot)
On Purim we emphasize the importance of Jewish unity and friendship by sending gifts of food to friends.On Purim day, send a gift of at least two kinds of ready-to-eat foods to at least one friend. It is preferable that the gifts are delivered via a third party. Children, in addition to sending their own gifts of food to their friends, make enthusiastic messengers.
Purim Special Basket
Kosherbyte Special Basket
Amazon Price: $65.95 (as of 02/18/2012)
Product Features
* All nationally known kosher certifying agencies
* Excellent for any Occassion
* Cookies, flavored coffee, gourmet chocolates, etc.
* Beautifully packaged with cellophane and bow
* Natural wicker basket
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Eat, Drink and be Merry
Let's Party This Purim!
Kosher Wine
An Illuminated Megillah Scroll
Megillat Esther | Megillah of Esther
Special Prayers (Al Hanissim, Torah reading)
Have You or Someone You Know Been in a Situation Where You/They Could Right a Wrong But Were Afraid to Do It?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes. . .
resabi says:
I have to say probably. I can't recall such a time, but the law of averages tell me that it's likely -- good intentions notwithstanding.
Posted March 09, 2011
No. . .
compugraphd says:
ב"ה
I can't recall anything like this ever happening to me -- I usually try to do the right thing, the Tora thing.
Posted February 18, 2011
Jewish "Star of David" Candy Dish
Jewish "Star of David" Candy Dish
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 02/18/2012)
Product Features
* Ceramic candy dish
* Beautiful blue and white pattern
* Jewish Star
* Gourmet chocolates included
* Perfect for Passover
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Recipe for Hamentaschen
Cookie Style
* 2/3 cup butter or margarine* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 egg
* 1/4 cup orange juice (the smooth kind, not the pulpy)
* 1 cup white flour
* 1 cup wheat flour (DO NOT substitute white flour! The wheat flour is necessary to achieve the right texture!)
* 2 tsp. baking powder
* 1 tsp. cinnamon
* Various preserves, fruit butters and/or pie fillings.
Blend butter and sugar thoroughly. Add the egg and blend thoroughly. Add OJ and blend thoroughly. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, alternating white and wheat, blending thoroughly between each. Add the baking powder and cinnamon with the last half cup of flour. Refrigerate batter overnight or at least a few hours. Roll as thin as you can without getting holes in the batter (roll it between two sheets of wax paper lightly dusted with flour for best results). Cut out 3 or 4 inch circles.
Put a dollop of filling in the middle of each circle. Fold up the sides to make a triangle, folding the last corner under the starting point, so that each side has corner that folds over and a corner that folds under. Folding in this "pinwheel" style will reduce the likelihood that the last side will fall open while cooking, spilling out the filling. It also tends to make a better triangle shape.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, until golden brown but before the filling boils over!
Traditional fillings are poppy seed and prune, but apricot is my favorite. Apple butter, pineapple preserves, and cherry pie filling all work quite well.
Makes 20 to 24 cookies.
Another variation is to use a cream cheese dough for the cookie version.
OR JUST BUY SOME
If you don't have time or don't want to make them yourself, there is a great bakery in Boston that makes Hamentaschen. The bakery is called Tatte's, and they will ship out their cookies. The direct link to the hamentaschen page is here or to their home page click here.
Hamentashen-Yum!
Hamentaschen Recipes
- You Little Dumplings
- Decades of hamentaschen-making had finally paid off. Wherever we traveled in China, we encountered sumptuous dumpling fillings, anything from meat to vegetable medleys to red bean paste. In southern China, rice grows abundantly so dumpling dough is ...
- Niles Community Calendar for Feb. 23, 2012
- Additionally, Purim desserts including, hamantaschen will be served. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Make reservations by Feb. 29. Call (847) 675-4141. Temple Judea Mizpah, 8610 Niles Center Road, Skokie, presents a program ...
- Community Calendar for Feb. 17
- Additionally, Purim desserts including, hamantaschen will be served. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Make your reservations by Feb. 29. A special Purim Carnival takes place from 10:45 am - 1:15 pm March 4.
- Morton Grove Community Calendar for Feb. 16, 2012
- Additionally, Purim desserts including, hamantaschen will be served. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Make your reservations by Feb. 29. A special Purim Carnival takes place from 10:45 am to 1:15 pm March 4.
About lakeerieartists
Do You Have Any Purim Stories to Share?
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resabi
Mar 9, 2011 @ 6:57 pm | delete
- I can remember dressing up as a lot of different people (always from the megillah) for Purim. The two occasions I remember most clearly are dressing up as Mordecai (eyebrow-pencil moustache and beard and a striped beach towel over my shoulders) and as Vashti.
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compugraphd
Feb 18, 2011 @ 2:29 am | delete
- ב"ה
Not Purim stories (though I used to read the Megilla -- well, my part thereof -- at our Women's Tefilla -- Prayer -- Group in my Zorro costume) but Purim designs -- which you can find (along with my regaling of this tale) at http://www.squidoo.com/Purim_Esther_et_al
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Senora_M
Jan 10, 2011 @ 4:23 pm | delete
- Cool lens. My husband and I just returned from Israel.
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Jimmie
Mar 10, 2009 @ 1:20 am | delete
- It's been blessed! Purim is a holiday of rich significance! Thanks for the facts and links.
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aj2008
Mar 8, 2009 @ 12:06 pm | delete
- What an interesting lens Paula - I had heard of Esther and Mordecai but I did not know the story.
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- Puppets Enhance the Story of Purim
- The story of Queen Esther, the Jewish holiday of Purim, is a favorite Bible story of both Jewish and Christian little girls who see the beauty queen turned heroine as an exciting role model. Adding to the story is a set of five biblical Purim ...
- Forgotten artwork by one of the fathers of the Dada movement restored to life ...
- The story dates back to Purim 1956 in Ein Hod, a village whose establishment Janco had spearheaded three years earlier. Among the pioneers of the revolutionary 20th-century art movement called Dada, Janco exhibited at important museums around the world ...
- Morton Grove Community Calendar for Feb. 23, 2012
- Babies and caregivers are invited to hear songs and stories and enjoy playtime. Read to the Rainbow Dogs will meet at 7 pm Feb. 27 in the Activity Room. Children can practice reading to a certified therapy dog from Morton Grove's Rainbow Animal ...
- Purim even held to educate and entertain
- ?Purim is a fun holiday.? The holiday is celebrated with the telling of the Purim story about Queen Esther, a villain named Haman, and Mordechai the Jew. Haman planned to exterminate the Jews, but his plan was foiled by Queen Esther and Mordechai.
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I am an artist, writer, and owner of Lake Erie Artists Gallery at Shaker Square in Cleveland, Ohio.
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