Why People Celebrate Purim

This year to celebrate Purim, try sending outgallows he built for Mordechai and the Jews, and
some free e-cards to friends and family. E-cardspromoted Mordechai to chief advisor, Haman's
sure will brighten up someone's day.former position.
According to the Book of Esther, the Persian kingMordechai declared the 14th of Adar to be a
Ahasuerus was scorned by his wife, so hejoyous festival, a celebration of life, friends, food,
ordered all the most beautiful young ladies of theand pleasure, since known as Purim.
capital city Shushan to be brought to his court toPurim is the most boisterous holiday of the Jewish
pick a new bride from among them.year, with the emphasis on how the destruction
He selected a girl named Esther, whose uncleof the Jewish inhabitants of Shushan was evaded
Mordechai had warned her not to identify herselfand the joys of life. Jews around the world go to
as a Jew, to be his Queen. With Esther isolatedsynagogue dressed in costumes and use
from her family, Mordechai would spend timenoisemakers, drums, and whistles when the name
each day in front of the palace gate to hear wordHaman is heard during the reading of the Book of
of his beloved niece.Esther.
As a result, he overheard two of the royalLittle packages called shalach-manot are
guards discussing a plot to murder the king andexchanged between friends, family members, and
relayed it to the king through Esther, for which hemembers of the community as a reminder of the
was entered into the royal chronicles as the Jewsweetness of life. They contain candy, fruit, and
who saved the king's life and was later amplythe symbolic triangular pastries filled with poppy,
rewarded. Meanwhile, the malevolent king's chiefapricot, plums and other fruitcalled hamantaschen,
advisor, Haman was infuriated by Mordechai'sYiddish for Haman's ears.
refusal to bow down to him and determined toGeneral merriment ensues after the reading of
punish him and the Jewish people of Shushan.the Book of Esther is completed, and dancing and
Haman cast lots to set the date of the massacreeating in large festive groups is traditional in
but was so impatient to begin the executions thatcelebration of the virtuous Mordechai's triumph
he ordered the gallows built immediately. Whenover the wicked Haman.
Mordechai and the Jewish community heard theAccording to tradition, adults drink wine until they
proclamation, they implored Esther to reveal hercan no longer distinguish between Mordechai and
religion to her husband and to make a plea onHaman. Of course this custom is taken purely in
behalf of her people.fun and is not invariably followed. If you celebrate
Esther agreed and asked the Jews of Shushan toPurim, invite someone unfamiliar with the festival
fast and pray for her, after which she would riskto teach them about Jewish culture and the
her life to have an audience with the king. Shefascinating history of this particular celebration.
asked him and Haman to dine with her theIt is a great occasion to impart some Jewish trivia
following evening, an invitation the king readilyand culture on anyone that is interested, especially
accepted.children, who will appreciate any chance to get
At dinner, she disclosed not only that she was adressed up and eat delicious treats.
Jew and her relation to Mordechai, but alsoMillions of free e-cards are sent each year. Free
Haman's plan for the destruction of the Jews ine-cards come in all sorts of categories, so send
Shushan. The king forgave Esther, had Hamanone yourself this year to celebrate Purim.
promptly arrested and executed on the very