Is the annual celebration of Purim the “Jewish” Halloween? Jews do wear costumes, but this is where the similarity ends!
Instead of going door-to-door asking for candy, Jews gather as a community (in costume!) to read the biblical book of Esther and then participate in acts of giving.
The Book of Esther is a fictional melodrama played out in ancient Persia. An absent-minded king takes Esther as his queen not knowing she is Jewish. He then, on the advice of his chief counsellor, Haman, agrees to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom.
At the last moment, Esther reveals her true self to the King, who reverses his decree and instead destroys Haman and his entire family.
The strange and crazy events of this tale are the pretext for the Jewish holiday of Purim — celebrated from the evening of March 23 to the evening of March 24 this year. Traditionally, Jews dress as one of the characters in the book. During the reading, each time the name of the villainess Haman is mentioned noisemakers are sounded. The reading is often accompanied with singing, costume parades, and the occasional libation.
The Book of Esther makes reference to matanot L’evyonim (gifts to the poor) and Mishloach Manot (the sharing of gifts with one another). Both activities play a central role in the celebration. Synagogues take the opportunity on Purim to raise funds for those in need, and congregants are encouraged to send small gifts of Purim food to one another in an exchange of kindness.
Sometimes, the best way to deal with crisis is with laughter. Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin says, “Despite the laughter and the joy of the Purim celebration, we hope and pray there will be no new Purims for the Jewish people.”
Rabbi Howard Siegel is part of the Beth Tikvah congregation.
