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Purim In A Nutshell
Purim is celebrated next on the 14th day of Adar

The holiday of Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar and in Jerusalem on the 15th day of Adar. Purim commemorates a time of trepidation, suffering, and terror for the Jewish population of Persia living in the fourth century B.C.E. 

Purim is also a celebration of survival against many odds.  The Scroll (book) of Esther, Megillat Esther in Hebrew, recounts the story of Haman, one of the most colorful villains in Jewish history.  It also tells the remarkable tale of Mordechai and his niece, Esther, who were instrumental in the resurgence of Jewish spirit and courage.   Haman who devised a plan to annihilate the Jews of Persia, obtained the approval of the Persian King Ahasuerus, and just when he was about to set his evil plot in action, an unexpected turn of events foiled his efforts.  The Jewish Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai managed to thwart Haman's vile scheme, and brought upon the fall of the house of Haman. 

The Jewish population of the City of Shushan celebrated their good fortune with song, dance, and feast.  Queen Esther established the tradition of the annual festival of Purim, in commemoration. The tradition has been kept up with since.
 
Purim is a Holiday of Unity
The three main observances of Purim, all comply with the theme of togetherness.

• Kri-aat Megillah – gathering in synagogues for the reading of Megillat Esther

• Matanot Laevyonim  - giving charity to the poor, and

• Mishloach Manot - exchanging gifts of goodies with relatives, friends, and neighbors

More Purim Traditions

• A Festive Meal 

• Masquerading, Carnivals and the Purim Shpiel (entertaining skits based on the historical account of the Persian king, Mordechai, Haman, and Queen Esther)

• Eradicating the name of Haman.  This is accomplished by stumping feet and making noise with graggers upon the mention of Haman’s name 
  Haman Tashen (triangular pastries filled with poppy seed – “mon” in Yiddish) are eaten to denote the obliteration of Haman (the “mon” in the pasty represents Haman).  

• Some people write the name “Haman” on the bottom of their shoe, and obliterate the name with every step they take.

 · More about the Holiday of Purim
 · Purim Food
 · Hamantashen Recipe
 · Recommended Reading
 · Shop for Purim

For more fun, click on Jewish Humor and enjoy!