On the Jewish celebration of Purim, Jews are allowed to conduct business and perform manual labor. This is much different than the holy days of Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashanah. Purim is often thought of a national holiday, rather than a religious celebration. The similarity in the United States might be the difference between Easter and the Fourth of July. Purim commemorates the story of when the Jews were saved from Haman. It’s a day of deliverance of freedom.
Remembering Queen Esther
King Ahasuerus was the king of Persia who married Esther, a Jewish maiden who hid her nationality. Jews were not in political favor at the time, and her uncle, Mordecai, believed that it would be better for her if she did not share her background. Haman, an advisor to the King, hated the Jews and strategized a way to get rid of them. He was specifically angry with Mordecai, who refused to bow to Haman. Haman determined to hang Mordecai, and he had King Ahasuerus sign a decree to kill all the Jews.
When Esther found out about what Haman planned, she had the Jews pray that she would be able to approach the King. To make her request, she first held a banquet for the King and Haman. Meanwhile, Haman has built a gallows to hang Mordecai. Esther has the King and Haman to dinner, but instead of asking him to stop Haman’s plan, she requests their presence for a second banquet. It is here where she reveals her nationality and pleads not only for her own life, but for that of her people.
King Ahasuerus is angry and hangs Haman on the gallows which were built to kill Mordecai. The original edict cannot be annulled, but the King has Mordecai write another proclamation, which allows the Jewish people to kill their enemies. Ultimately, over 75,000 people were killed, including the 10 sons of Haman. The Jewish people survived and Mordecai instituted an annual remembrance, which today is called Purim.
Obligations of Purim
Traditionally, Purim is celebrated according to the Jewish calendar. It typically falls in the spring. In 2016, its dates are from sunset on March 23 through nightfall on March 24. It is a time of feasting and joy. During Purim, the mitzvahs include:
- A public reading of the Book of Esther, both in the evening on the first day and in the morning on the following day. When Haman’s name is mentioned, the people listening make a lot of noise, to drown out his name.
- Giving gifts of food to friends
- Offering charity to the poor, either food or money
- Having a festive meal
Where Is God in Esther’s Story?
Esther is the only book in the Hebrew scriptures which doesn’t contain a reference to God. This has given critics much commentary about Esther. The Jewish culture recognizes that God seems to be hidden during the tale. One of the traditional foods they serve at Purim is called “kreplach” or dumplings filled with meat or chicken and boiled in soup. They almost resemble wontons tortellini. The meat hides inside the center of the dumpling, reminding the Jews that God hid behind the scenes to work through Esther.
Another traditional food served at Purim are hamentashen, a reference to Haman’s pockets. Tasch is the Germanic word for pocket or pouch. Hamentashen are triangular pastries filled with sweet fruit or nuts in the center. The triangular shape is thought to be a remembrance of Haman’s hat or the pyramid-shape of the dice that Haman cast when he chose a day to destroy the Jews.
Many bakeries will offer hamenstashen in March. Try one if you get a chance. Now you know and understand why they’re significant to the Jewish culture.