The festival of Purim will take place on Monday, March at 7:00 PM. Last year congregants joined in the fun and the interactive Purim Spiel, listened to the Megilla reading, made some noise, and enjoyed some wine (kosher for Passover), cheese and Hamentashen.
The festival of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/early spring). It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day.”
The story in a nutshell:
The Persian empire of the 4th century BCE extended over 127 lands, and all the Jews were its subjects. When King Ahasuerus had his wife, Queen Vashti, executed for failing to follow hisorders, he orchestrated a beauty pageant to find a new queen. A Jewish girl, Esther, found favor in his eyes and became the new queen—though she refused to divulge the identity of her nationality. Meanwhile, the anti-Semitic Haman was appointed prime minister of the empire. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews (and Esther’s cousin), defied the king’s orders and refused to bow to Haman. Haman was incensed and convinced the king to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews on the 13th of Adar—a date chosen by a lottery Haman made.
Mordechai galvanized all the Jews, convincing them to repent, fast and pray to G‑d. Meanwhile, Esther asked the king and Haman to join her for a feast. At the feast, Esther revealed to the king her Jewish identity. Haman was hanged, Mordechai was appointed prime minister in his stead, and a new decree was issued—granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies. On the 13th of Adar the Jews mobilized and killed many of their enemies. On the 14th of Adar they rested and celebrated.
Listen to the Megillah
To relive the miraculous events of Purim, listen to the reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther) twice: once on Purim eve, Wednesday eve March 4th and again on Purim day, Thursday, March 5th. To properly fulfill the mitzvah, it is crucial to hear every single word of the Megillah. At certain points in the reading where Haman’s name is mentioned, it is customary to twirl graggers (Purim noisemakers) and stamp one’s feet to “eradicate” his evil name. Tell the children that Purim is the only time when it’s a mitzvah to make noise!
Give to the Needy (Matanot LaEvyonim)
Concern for the needy is a year-round responsibility; but on Purim it is a special mitzvah to remember the poor. Give charity to at least two (but preferably more) needy individuals on Purim , Wednesday evening, March 23rd. We will have a charity box located in the lobby of the Temple for you to perform this Mitzvah.
The mitzvah is best fulfilled by giving directly to the needy. If, however, you cannot find poor people, place at least three coins into a charity box. (See Below) As with the other mitzvahs of Purim, even small children should be taught to fulfill this mitzvah.
Special Prayers (Al HaNissim, Torah reading)
On Purim we include the Al HaNissim prayer, which describes the Purim miracle, in the evening, morning and afternoon prayers, as well as in the Grace After Meals. In the morning service there is special reading from the Torah scroll in the synagogue (Exodus 17:8–16).
The “Half Coins” (Machatzit Hashekel)
It is a tradition to give three coins in “half” denominations—e.g., three half-dollar coins—to charity, to commemorate the half-shekel that each Jew contributed as his share in the communal offerings in the time of the Holy Temple. This custom, usually performed in the synagogue, is done on the afternoon of the “Fast of Esther,” or before the reading of the Megillah. We will be collecting your donations on Monday evening, March 9th.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Purim is when we celebrate the miracle of Jewish survival.
Monday evening and Tuesday morning, we will read the Megilat Esther – Scroll of Esther, in which the story of Purim is recorded. Like the Torah, the Megilah is written by a scribe on parchment and is read with a special tune.
Q. Why is the Megilah spread out in layers during the reading, rather than rolled like a Torah scroll?”
A. Esther and Mordechai refer to the Megilah as “Igeret,” the “letter“. Thus, we fold the Megilah to look like a letter.
Q. Why do we make noise when Haman’s name is mentioned in the Megilah?
A. Haman is a direct descendent of Amalek and the Torah tells us that we must, “Erase the remembrance of Amalek.” When the reader mentions Haman, we erase his name by making noise.
Q. Mordechai was involved in the story of Purim together with Queen Esther. Why is the Megilah called Megilat Esther, giving credit only to Esther?
A. The Megilah tells us that Esther’s Jewish identity was originally not known. Even the king didn’t know that she was Jewish, so her life was not affected by Haman’s decree, which was to kill all Jews. In spite of this, Esther risked her life to plead for her people and thus revealed her Jewish identity. Since Esther put her life in danger more than Mordechai, the Megilah was named after her.
Another reason is that Esther was the one who insisted that the story of Purim be recorded and be added to our Holy Scriptures, therefore it was named, “Megilat Esther.”
One of the excuses which the wicked Haman used to convince King Achashveirosh to get rid of the Jews was that they are no asset to the king because they do not work during many days of the year. They don’t work on Shabbat and their many holidays and there is no gain for the king to keep them.
G-d said, “I will perform a miracle; Haman will be hung, and My people will celebrate another holiday.”
A ruler who was an avid antisemite, became very sick. He came to a saintly rabbi and asked him, “Rabbi, I would like to know on which day I will die?” The Rabbi said to him, “You will die on a Jewish holiday.
“What Jewish holiday will that be? Passover, Rosh Hashana, Purim?”
“It doesn’t matter,” said the Rabbi. “Whichever day of the year you die will be a Jewish holiday…“.