Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on March 21, 2024

By DAVID CRARY, Associated Press

Purimis widely depicted as the most thoroughly joyful of Jewish holidays highlighted by celebrations that include costumes, skits, noisemakers and varying degrees of rowdiness.

It celebrates the biblical story of how a plot to exterminate Jews in Persia was thwarted, and thus is embraced as an affirmation of Jewish survival throughout history. For many Jews, it will have extra significance this year during awar in Gazatriggered by the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel in which Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 250 others hostage.

Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. This year, that means Purim begins on Saturday night and continues through Sunday. In most of Jerusalem, the holiday is celebrated one day later, from Sunday evening until Monday.

The Union for Reform Judaism describes the story that inspired Purim as follows:

The main communal celebration involves a public reading usually in the synagogue of the Book of Esther, which tells the holidays story: Under the rule of King Ahashverosh, Haman, the kings adviser, plots to exterminate all the Jews of Persia. His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, who ultimately save the Jews of Persia from destruction. The reading typically is a rowdy affair, punctuated by booing and noisemaking when Hamans name is read aloud. ...

Over the centuries, Haman has come to symbolize every anti-Semite in every land where Jews were oppressed. The significance of Purim lies not so much in how it began, but in what it has become: a thankful and joyous affirmation of Jewish survival.

Citing the war against Hamas, Israels Education Ministry this year has warned students not to come to school in costumes that may cause fear, panic or injury.

This includes costumes depicting Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza.

Ahead of the holiday, Israel police have also seized thousands of lifelike toy guns and grenades as part of Operation Dangerous Toys.

The ministry said the directive was issued in the shadow of the war and in accordance with the security reality and the characteristics of the current period.

Many cities in Israel have canceled traditional Purim parades, citing the war in Gaza.

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During the Israel-Hamas war, Jews will soon celebrate Purim one of their most joyous holidays - The Christian Index

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