The Feast of Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from destruction in the ancient Persian Empire. The story behind the feast is told in the Book of Esther in the Bible. Here is an overview of this meaningful biblical festival:
The Story Behind Purim
The setting for the story behind Purim is Susa, the capital of Persia, in the 4th century BCE. There is a large Jewish community living under Persian rule. Haman, the prime minister of King Ahasuerus, harbors intense hatred for the Jews and plots to have them all killed (Esther 3:1-6). He manipulates the king into issuing a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews in the kingdom on a single day. When Mordecai, a Jewish leader, learns of the plot, he urges his cousin Esther, who has become the Persian queen, to appeal to the king to save her people. Esther risks her life by approaching Ahasuerus unsummoned. She organizes banquets for the king and Haman and eventually exposes Haman’s evil intentions. Outraged, the king orders Haman to be hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Ahasuerus then allows Mordecai and Esther to write a new decree permitting the Jews to defend themselves when Haman’s genocidal decree goes into effect. On that day, the 13th of Adar, the Jews battle against their enemies. God grants them resounding victory, and they rejoice in their miraculous deliverance.
Key Elements of the Celebration
The joyous feast of Purim celebrates God’s protection and providence in saving the Jewish people from destruction. Here are some of the key ways it is observed:
- Public Reading of the Book of Esther – On Purim, the whole Book of Esther, known as the Megillah, is read publicly twice – once on the evening of Purim and once during the daytime. Special blessings are recited before and after the reading (Esther 9:28).
- Feasting and Joy – Purim is celebrated with feasting and food gifts to friends and the poor. There are often festive meals and Purim carnivals. According to Esther 9:22, it is a time of “feasting and joy.”
- Exchanging Food Baskets – It is customary to deliver baskets of food called mishloach manot to friends and family on Purim day. These baskets often include wine, baked goods, fruits and sweets (Esther 9:22).
- Charitable Giving – Purim emphasizes reaching out to the poor and needy. Jews give gifts of money to at least two impoverished people on this holy day (Esther 9:22).
- Costumes – Adults and children wear costumes, have parties and put on Purim plays to rejoice on this festive occasion.
Themes and Meaning
Here are some of the key themes and meanings of Purim:
- God’s Providence – Though God is hidden in the Book of Esther, the feast celebrates His providential care for His people in preserving them from destruction.
- Redemption – Purim commemorates the redemption of the Jewish people from Haman’s genocidal scheme against them.
- Courage – Esther displayed remarkable courage in risking her life to save her people.
- Justice – The wicked Haman was justly punished for his evil plans against the Jews.
- Joy – The great deliverance led to profound rejoicing and the establishment of Purim as a time of gladness and feasting.
- Gratitude – Purim is a time to thank God for His protection and favor towards His people.
Origins in the Bible
The feast of Purim originated in the days of Esther, as described in Esther 9. After the Jews defeated their enemies on the 13th of Adar, Mordecai instituted the feast. Some key verses include:
- “Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, a holiday, and of sending portions to one another.” (Esther 9:19)
- “…as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor.” (Esther 9:22)
- “So the Jews accepted what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them.” (Esther 9:23)
- “Therefore, because of all the acts of Esther the queen and all that she had done for her people…Purim was established for their descendants as a permanent ordinance.” (Esther 9:32)
So Purim began as a spontaneous celebration after the Jewish victory over their foes and was later formally instituted as an annual feast.
Date and Length
Purim takes place on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, which falls in late winter or early spring in the Gregorian calendar. Here are some details on its date and length:
- In walled cities like Jerusalem, Purim is celebrated on Adar 15 rather than Adar 14.
- In leap years on the Hebrew calendar, when there are two months of Adar, Purim is observed in the second month of Adar.
- Purim celebrations begin on the evening before the feast day with public readings, parties, and special meals.
- The main Purim festivities are on Adar 14. The holiday lasts for one day.
Symbols and Customs
There are various Purim symbols, foods and customs that are part of celebrating this biblical holiday:
- Noisemakers – Graggers or noisemakers are spun loudly whenever Haman’s name is mentioned in the public reading to blot out his evil name.
- Masks and costumes – Masquerade masks and costumes are worn by celebrants.
- Triangular pastries called hamantaschen – These symbolize Haman’s three-cornered hat.
- Giving money or charity – Coins are sometimes distributed to children and the needy are remembered.
- Purim plays or skits – These comedic spoofs retell the Purim story.
Lessons for Today
While remembering a key moment of Jewish history, Purim also offers timeless lessons for God’s people:
- God providentially watches over His people and orchestrates events for their deliverance, even when He seems hidden.
- Standing courageously for God and doing what is right, like Esther, can make a great difference.
- God overturns evil plans against His people and vindicates those who trust in Him.
- We should respond to God’s mighty deeds of redemption and protection with joyful celebration.
- Reaching out generously to those in need reflects God’s graciousness towards us.
Purim gives much reason to rejoice in God’s faithful love and care for His people, both past and present.
Celebrating Across Judaism
The joyous feast of Purim is widely celebrated by Jewish people around the world. Here is an overview:
- Orthodox Judaism – Purim is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Costumes, carnivals, festive meals and other traditions are embraced.
- Conservative Judaism – Purim customs are observed, though sometimes with a focus on its historical origins more than the supernatural aspects.
- Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism – These more progressive branches tend to celebrate Purim’s themes while often rejecting traditions lacking contemporary meaning.
- Hasidic Judaism – Purim is a peak experience in Hasidism, with lively and mystical celebrations.
- Secular and Cultural Jews – Many celebrate Purim’s fun costumes and parties while not embracing all religious dimensions.
So Purim holds meaning for Jewish people across a spectrum – as a deliverance to thank God for and a time of feasting, gladness and community.
In Modern Israel
In the modern state of Israel, Purim is an exciting festival and quasi-national holiday celebrated by many Jews and Israelis:
- Schools and most workplaces are closed on Purim.
- Outdoor carnivals with rides, games, food booths and concerts are found across Israel.
- Many wear colorful costumes, with children dressing up like their favorite Bible heroes and heroines.
- The Book of Esther is read publicly in synagogues across the land.
- Israelis bake and share oval or triangular hamantaschen pastries with poppy seed, prune or other fillings.
- Purim parties, plays and celebrations abound in cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
So Purim is enthusiastically observed as a highlight of the year for Jewish Israelis.
Comparisons with Other Biblical Feasts
Purim has similarities and differences compared to other major biblical and Jewish holidays:
- Passover – Both celebrate God’s deliverance of His people from threat of death and annihilation.
- Hanukkah – Each commemorates a time when Jewish existence was at risk but God granted an unlikely victory.
- Sukkot – Sukkot memorializes God sheltering Israelites after the Exodus; Purim celebrates shelter from extermination.
- Shavuot – Shavuot marks receiving the Torah; Purim celebrates adhering to the Torah which led to deliverance.
But Purim stands unique as the most overtly festive holiday on the Jewish calendar – a time of unrestrained rejoicing.
Christian Perspectives
Purim is not directly observed by Christians who believe Jesus to be the Messiah. But the holiday has significance for understanding Scripture and God’s faithfulness. Perspectives include:
- The Book of Esther shows God protecting His chosen people and working out His redemptive plan.
- Esther foreshadows Christ as an intercessor risking her life to save her people, like Jesus.
- Haman’s evil plan parallels enemies like Herod and Hitler who tried to destroy God’s people.
- God vindicating the Jews at Purim offers hope for God ultimately vindicating His people.
- The feast declares God’s providential care over His children and His judgment against wickedness.
So while not observed, Christians can appreciate Purim’s themes of protection, redemption, courage, justice and joy.
An Enduring Festival for God’s People
For over two millennia, Purim has been joyfully celebrated by Jewish people around the world. It resonates with them as a declaration of God’s faithful protection over His chosen people. As generations gather annually to give thanks and rejoice over this remarkable divine deliverance, Purim endures as a meaningful and cherished feast for God’s people.
