All you need to know about Purim
Rabbi Marc Levene
Thursday 13 March (Fast of Esther 4.41am—6.42pm)
7.00am
Shacharit
5.45pm
Mincha & Ma’ariv
Shabbat, 15 March
9.15am
Shacharit
5.50pm
Mincha followed by a shiur by Rabbi Levene
6.52
Ma’ariv & End of Shabbat
7.10
Megillah reading for everyone in the Shul
Theatrical Reading of Megillah for families in the Hall
Sephardi Megillah reading in the Landy Gallery
Youth Megillah reading in the Youth Centre
Sunday, 16 March
8.30am
Shacharit
9.00
Megillah reading for everyone in the Shul
Sephardi Megillah reading in the Landy Gallery
10.00
Festive buffet breakfast in the Hall
10.30
Megillah reading for everyone in the Shul (with ALC)
Megillah reading for Women by Women in the Youth Centre
10.45
Youth Megillah reading @ Bunkers Dip, Neville Drive, N2 0QR
11.15 1.00pm
Activities in the Hall for children Years 1 –7 ALL WELCOME
12.00 2.00pm
Roaming l'chaim at the homes of the Rabbinic team
Most Jewish festivals have names that describe the essence of the holiday. For example, on Succot
we dwell in a Succah. On Pesach G-d ‘passed’ over the Jewish People, so the festival became
Passover. Therefore it is important to understanding the meaning of the name Purim.
Translated, Purim actually means “lots,” as in “drawing lots.” In the third chapter of the Book of
Esther, after Haman is angered by Mordechai’s refusal to bow down to him, Haman decides to
destroy the entire Jewish People. He organised a ‘pur’ or lottery was made in order to select which
day and which month would be chosen for the destruction of the Jewish People. Only after having
determined the most auspicious day to kill the Jews, did Haman go to the King. By casting a “pur”
or this most significant decision, Haman is demonstrating his inherent hatred for the Jews. He
wanted to leave this to chance and prove that G-d was not involved with fate.
Purim however, is a celebration of the very fact that the world is not run by random chance.
Calling the holiday Purim reminds the Jewish People that even when events appear to be
happening at random, such as in a lottery, G-d is still the ultimate controller of fate.
Background
The fast is observed on 13 Adar, the day before Purim to commemorate the 3 day fast which
Esther, Mordecahi and The Jewish People observed before Esther approached Achashverosh
to ask him to save the Jewish People.
The fast begins at sunrise and ends once the Megillah is read at night. On years such as this
when Purim is on a Saturday Night, the fast is moved back to the previous Thursday as we do
not fast on Shabbat. The Megillah is then read on Saturday Night after Shabbat.
Do’s and Don’ts
During the duration of the fast, eating and drinking are prohibited.
Unlike Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av (The Day of Atonement and the Ninth of Av), bathing,
anointing and wearing leather are permitted.
Pregnant and nursing women, and others with health restrictions are exempt from fasting
(please consult your rabbi). Children under the age of bar/bat mitzvah (13 for boys, 12 for
girls) are not required to fast.
One of the more fun elements of Purim, is dressing up. Traditionally people would dress up
as characters from the Megillah such as Esther and Mordechai, but now when you walk into
Shul you can see everything from postmen to Ali G, window cleaners to cowboys, queens to
policemen, the list goes on. Each year the costumes become more inventive and exciting.
There are a few reasons for dressing up. For younger children it is more a lesson of
education, as we teach them about the story and the great miracle that happened. We
introduce them to they key characters as well as exciting them about being involved in some
of the important mitzvot of the day.
On a deeper level, one constant theme of Purim is about revealing what is hidden. When
reading the Megillah, we do not find G-d mentioned even once, and there is no specific
reference to His involvement or intervention. Our challenge is to find G-d where he is
hidden. At every stage of the story he is there, turning the wheel, driving the situation and
watching over His people.
On Purim we wear masks so that we can reveal our true selves from what is hidden behind
them.
The Talmud teaches us that a person should drink wine on Purim until the point where they
cannot tell the difference between ‘blessed is Mordechai and cursed is Haman.’ Some say this
is just a ‘marker’ of when to stop drinking, but others suggest that this confusion is precisely
what the festival can be, without context and understanding.
On a deeper level, our Sages teach us then when wine enters into us, our true heart and
feelings come out. This continues on our theme of revealing what is hidden. When we drink,
we lower our inhibitions, let our guard down and can often act and say things beyond our
control. It is at this level that we can see what is truly in our hearts and reveal the kind of
people we are.
In preparation of Purim and throughout the year, we must make sure that what is inside us,
who we are and the person we try to be is honest, genuine and sincere. If this is what is inside
us then surely that is what will come out with a little too much wine.
Drinking on Purim is not just to get drunk, in fact our Rabbis frown on drunkenness on
Purim and all year round. It is to help us to see who we really are and to reveal what may be
hidden from us.
Probably the most famous aspect of Purim and the most central part of the festival is the
story itself. The story centres around Mordechai, our quiet hero who refuses to bow down to
the evil Haman, and his cousin Esther who risks her life for the sake of the Jewish People.
The Megillah is read both in the evening and in the morning. Before and after the readings
we make blessings over the festival and the mitzvah of reading as well.
An important feature of the reading is the name of Haman. Haman was a descendant of
Amalek, the evil nation set to destroy the Jewish People. He is not just the villain in the story,
but he represents all those that have sought to wipe us out. In that context, we can
understand the practise for making noise when reciting his name. Just like he wanted to get
rid of us, so do we want his name wiped out of history. So when we say the name Haman in
the Megillah, much noise is made throughout The Shul. This is especially fun for the children
and rouses much interest and excitement.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE SECOND READINGS IN THE MORNING FOR
THOSE WHO WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THE MAIN ONE.
Purim is a busy day with the many goings on, but one should try and sit and
have a festive meal, preferably in the afternoon.
The meal should consist of bread and usually wine as well. Of course other
delicious foods can be prepared, and some people use funny and jovial themes
throughout their meal. Some eat it backwards, for example starting with dessert
and moving through to main course then starter. Others like to serve food that
conceals what is inside, much like the other themes of Purim we have already
discussed.
The meal is a very nice way of bringing together friends and family to talk
about the miracles of the time, to learn and understand the importance and the
messages of Purim, and to reaffirm our commitment to G-d. It also mentioned
in the Megillah that the days of Purim be days of feasting and celebration.
We also include the prayer Al HaNisim. This special prayer is inserted during
Grace after Meals, as well as in the regular daily prayer services.
Mishloach Manot are small food parcels that are exchanged on the
day of Purim and are made up of at least 2 food items that have
different blessings, such as fruit and wine, and biscuits and sweets.
The food items should ideally be already cooked or prepared, so if
desired could be eaten on the day. Some prepare food for the festive
meal and give that as a gift. The minimum requirement is for each
person to give 1 parcel to another, though of course we can give many.
There is something very beautiful about this particular mitzvah, as
throughout the day the Jewish People are spreading love and
friendship across the community.
Mishloach Manot are also referred to in the Megillah, and because the
word Mishloach is used (similar to the word for sender or agent), it is
customary to give these gifts through a third party.
This final mitzvah is also eluded to in the Megillah, as the Jewish People
observed the days of Purim with donations to the needy.
This particular mitzvah is ideally performed by giving two separate people
charity on the day itself, and the among given should help them to have a
substantial Purim meal.
It does not only need to be money, one may give food and clothes as well.
There is also an idea that on Purim, anyone who puts out his hand in need of
money, one has an obligation to give. Even though during the year when we
might check the credentials, on Purim we give to all that ask, yet another way of
spreading love throughout the community.
There are various ways of giving this money, and if you need help to find
families in need, you can speak to one of the Rabbis who will make sure that
your money is given to deserving people to help them with Purim.
There are so many things you can do with kids on Purim not just the
costume, especially as this year it is on a Sunday. Here are some links
to help you on your way...
http://voices.yahoo.com/10-places-find-purim-games-activities-crafts-for7668450.html
http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/354749/jewish/Purim.htm
http://www.aish.com/h/pur/?gclid=CIKO8I-y_rwCFYMSwwodfjEAHw
After all the sweets, cakes, chocolates, and copious amounts of other
food that seem to get passed around on Purim, what better way to
empty your house before Pesach then giving the food to families that
need it.
If you have food that is bought, sealed and in good condition there is
someone in Golders Green that will be happy to relieve you of your
goodies and distribute them to people that really need them.
Please email [email protected] for more information
(Please note that this is a service all year round and not just for Purim)