The festival of Purim is a minor Jewish holiday and commemorates the events of the Book of Esther. As Jews, we have four special mitzvot to fulfil at Purim -
The Megillah itself, like a Torah scroll, is made from the parchment of a kosher animal. The rolled Megillah symbolizes the rolled orders Mordechai later sent to the Governers of Persia. |
||
 |
The Megillah is unique in that it is the only book of the Tanach that may be illustrated, as it does not contain the name of G-d. (Jews are forbidden to draw any images of G-d, so the rest of the Tanach is not illustrated at all so as to avoid even accidentally drawing something that may be construed to be G-d). Over the centuries there have been many beautifully decorated and illuminated Megillot, but usually more emphasis is placed on decorating the Megillah case itself, often with precious metals and stones. The Megillah is read in shul both on the eve of Purim (13th Adar) and also the next morning. The day before Purim is also the fast of Esther, which lasts from sunrise to nightfall. Women, especially, are bound to attend the reading of the Megillah, as the story concerns the vital role that a woman played in saving Jews. |
|
| The Megillah is read in a special melodic, often comical way. Whenever the name of Haman is read out, people stamp their feet and make as much noise as possible to drown out the evil name of the villain. The most popular method is with a noisemaker (grogger) but some people bang pots and pans, use rattles, shakers, whistles or even cap guns. In some countries, children write the name of Haman on their shoe soles, and then stamp until the name is erased. In Belgium, gingerbread Hamans are baked and the children take great delight in biting the heads off first! Some communities even make effigies of Haman and burn them. This year we had a Haman pinata which everyone had a turn of hitting! | ||
| Many children, and grownups too, dress up in costumes for Purim. It is traditional to dress as one of the characters from the story, so there are usually multiple Queens and Kings. We are commanded to eat and drink well on Purim, and rejoice; it is encouraged to get so drunk that one cannot tell the difference between "Cursed be Haman!" and "Blessed be Mordechai!" |  |
|
| The word Purim itself is the plural form of the Hebrew word "pur", meaning lot (in the sense of selecting something by chance). It refers to Haman's use of lots to decide which date would be intended for the destruction of the Jews. | ||
 |
There is no historical evidence to verify the story of Purim, but some scholars believe that the King Ahasuerus of the story was actually King Xerses of Persia (486 to 465 BCE). This is based around various references in the Megillah and other books of the Tanach, which describe life during the Babylonian exile. The Talmud refers to the reading of the Megillah before the destruction of the second Temple (70CE); the Priests are told to stop their work in order to go and listen to the public reading. | |
| One
of the main themes of Purim is how the order of things can be
reversed; the Jews were downtrodden and endangered, but survived
as a free people. A poor Jewish orphan became a powerful Queen.
Haman was hanged on the very gallows that had been intended for
Mordechai. A day intended for death and destruction instead became
a day of triumph and rejoicing. It is a victory of people over
hatred and violence to others.
In Israel, Purim is an official school holiday and children are often seen in the streets in costume, carrying gifts of fruit and hamantaschen. The carnival atmosphere culmaintes in the Adioyada Parade in Tel Aviv, which has floats depicting scenes from the Megillah. |
||
 |
 |
|
| The photographs of Purim 5765 above are all shown half size, click on any one to see a bigger version. Use the Back button in the browser window to come back here. Or contact us for the 2202x1704 pixel version! | ||
Best viewed at 800 x 600 pixels in 24-bit colour
All contents (c) Aberdeen Hebrew Congregation 2005/5765 and 2006/5766 unless otherwise stated
Last Updated 24 March 2006 - 24 Adar 5766
For an easy version of the Megillah, just click on the grogger above! |
 |
