The Festival of Purim

Purim begins at sundown on the fourteenth day of Adar. Adar is the twelth month of the Jewish calendar. Purim is the most festive holiday of the Jewish Holidays. Children dress in costume and people give gifts. Even solemn synagogues are turned into festive arenas. Perhaps it would be worthy to know what the festive holiday is all about.

Purim 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. men, women, children and infants in a single day" You can find the story in the bible book of Esther.

Purim means "lots" and is the holiday which Jews commemorate being saved from persecution in the ancient Persian Empire. The Jews of the city of Shushan were threatened by a villain Haman who has convinced the King to kill all the Jews. He was mad that the Jews would not bow down to Haman. Haman would determine the date he would carry out his plan. The Jews would be saved by Queen Esther, Mordecai's niece. The king will discover that Queen Esther is a Jew as well and decides to reverse Haman's decree. Rather than the Jews being killed Haman and his sons would be killed.

Some activities that may take place this day include:

• Reading the book of Esther and about the Purim miracle. 
• Money is given to at least two poor people
• giving gifts of two kinds of food to at least one person
• A Purim festival feast including wine and other ales 

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