When Adar begins, our joy is increased. --BabylonianTalmud Taanit 29a Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar, which corresponds this year to sundown,
Saturday February 27, to sundown Sunday February 28. It is a time to rejoice, hear the
reading of Megillat Esther, make noise, and of course eat hamantaschen. During the Babylonian exile, King
Ahashveirosh had an advisor, Haman, who plotted to kill the Jews. The righteous
Mordechai and Esther spoiled his plans. Purim is celebrated on the anniversary of the day the Jews were saved.  How can I celebrate
Purim at Bnai Emet?
On Saturday night, February
27 at 6:00 pm, an adult oriented Purim celebration will follow evening minyan.
End the Sabbath and start the Purim festivities with a full megillah
reading, followed by hamantaschen noshin' and wine! For families,
join us on Sunday February 28 at 10:30 am for a kid friendly, family oriented
Purim celebration. Wear your costume, and bring your own grogger
(box of Macaroni & Cheese or rice to be donated after). On Sunday, March 7, 11-3 pm, don’t miss Bnai Emet’s fabulous Purim carnival—with the best music, food, and fun around. What is
Ta'anit Esther?The day before Purim is a fast day, beginning in the morning and ending at night, to remember the fast of the Jews who had to fight their enemies on the 13th of Adar.
Because Purim falls immediately following Shabbat, and it is
forbidden to fast on Shabbat (except if it coincides with Yom Kippur),
and because you cannot fast the day before Shabbat, the Fast of Esther
this year falls on Thursday February 25. Why do Tel Aviv and Jerusalem celebrate
Purim on different days?Jews in Tel Aviv, like Jews in Minneapolis, will celebrate Purim on
February 27 and 28. However, Jerusalem residents will celebrate 24 hours later. This is because residents of walled towns celebrate Shushan Purim on the 15th of Adar. What customs and rituals do we observe when we hear the
Megillah? All Jews are required to hear the Megillat Esther read on
Purim. During the reading of the Megillah, make noise when the name of
Haman is mentioned! Click here to download an electronic gragger or make your own gragger to drown out
the sound of Haman’s name. It is
customary for people to wear costumes and masks on Purim.
 Click
here to print out a
Purim mask to color and cut out.
What is the reason for giving gifts to the poor and sending gifts (Shalach Manot) to others on
Purim?Every Jew is required to give gifts to the poor on
Purim. Gifts should ideally be food or money which can be used for Purim,
in portions sufficient to show regard for the recipient. Jews must also perform the mitzvah of Mishloach Manot (sending
of gifts to one another). The gift
package should contain two different foods, such as an apple and an orange. Giving a gift of hamantaschen is a great way to perform the mitzvah. What food do we traditionally eat on
Purim?Hamantaschen!
This triangular pastry, filled with prune, apricot, poppyseed, or even chocolate, is the most commonly eaten traditional
Purim delicacy. We call them hamantaschen after
Haman’s three-cornered hat, but in Israel, these pastries are known as oznei Haman or
Haman’s ears. But don’t stop with hamantaschen. Visit the B'nai Recipe of the Month and the recipe files for
Hamantaschen recipes. Or try some other terrific Purim recipes at the rec.food.cuisine.jewish website. What is an
Adloyada?On Purim, the streets of many Israeli cities are
filled with holiday spirit. The Adloyada is a costume carnival, when some literally obey the command to drink
to intoxication until they no longer know whether they are blessing Mordechai or cursing
Haman. The Adloyada focuses not on the intoxication, but on the costumes and parades. In the case of
Purim, wine is associated with the miracles of Purim. However, drunkenness is usually strongly discouraged by Jewish law, and this custom should not be observed if a person intends to drive or if a person could become sick. What are some other ways to have fun on
Purim?Color some Purim pictures. Take a Purim quiz
Send your friends Purim electronic greeting cards (123 Greetings, Care 2 Make a Difference) Make a
Haman’s hat out with Origami Enjoy some Purim humor (Top 10 Reasons for Celebrating
Purim, Purim Songs There are also tons of
Purim web sites - click
here for a huge list.
See you at the Bnai Emet Purim Carnival on March
7, 11:00am - 3:00pm
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