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When
Adar begins, our joy is increased.
--Babylonian
Talmud
Taanit 29a
Purim
is celebrated on the 14th of Adar, which corresponds this year
to sundown, Thursday, March 20, to the night of Friday, March 21.
It is a time to rejoice, hear the Megillat Esther read, 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 B’nai Emet?
On Thursday, March 20, put on your best Purim costume, and
come to B’nai Emet for a terrific Megillah reading,
costume parade, treats, music, and fun. On
Sunday, March 23, don’t miss B’nai Emet’s fabulous Purim carnival—with
the best music and fun around.
What is Taanit 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.
Why do Tel Aviv and Jerusalem celebrate Purim on different days?
Jews in Tel Aviv, like Jews in Minneapolis, will celebrate
Purim on March 20 and 21. 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 Hamentaschen 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 B’nai Emet Purim Carnival on March 23, 11:00am - 3:00pm
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