The Jewish Celebration of Purim
Today is the first full day of the Jewish celebration of Purim (it began at sundown on Thursday), the holiday that commemorates the Jews deliverance from the Persian Empire’s plans to destroy them, as told in the Bible’s Book of Esther.
Rather than tell you about Purim myself, I’d like to have my friend, Jill Miller Zimon explain the traditions of the holiday. Jill, in addition to being the mother of three, is a political blogger who has been interviewed by Public Radio and CNN, among others in association with her blog, “Writes Like She Talks.” As good as her politicial insights are, I happen to think she does her best writing when she’s adding to her series of “What Jews Do” posts.
In her 2007 post about Purim, she comments on the significance of Purim falling during National Women’s History Month:
It’s interesting that Purim falls during National Women’s History Month since the Book of Esther celebrates the strength and persuasive abilities of Queen Esther yet King Ahasuerus only marries Esther after he dumps his first wife, Queen Vashti because she refuses to do as he asks (she declined to dance naked in front of drunken men - can you imagine?).
In the rest of the post, she goes on to tell about how her family celebrates Purim and the meaning of their traditions.
(photo © istockphoto)
Tags: esther, Jewish Holidays, purim, religious holidaysRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Jewish Holidays
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