What kind of traditions are celebrated on Purim? Are there special foods or meal that Jewish people eat in commemoration? Is there a Shabbat service for Purim? What is Purim all about?

Purim celebrates defeat of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews of Persia, one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination, an incident from the biblical Book of Esther.

Esther, who was secretly Jewish, was loved by the Persian King Ahasuerus more than any other woman, and he made her the Queen. The King’s advisor, Haman, was plotting against the Jews to exterminate them, and when Queen Esther found this out, she went before her King and pleader him to stop Haman’s efforts. King Ahasuerus welcomed her, saved the Jewish people and hung Haman on the gallows.

The Book of Esther 

To follow The entire Book of Esther is read on Purim. The Book of Esther is interesting in that is the only one in the entire Bible that the name of God is not mentioned. The importance of this is that God often works in mysterious ways, even when peopel may not think He’s there. He’s always there. Purim is celebrate on the 14th day of Adar, which tends to be in March. The 13th day of Adar is the day that the Persian leader, Haman, chose to exterminate the Jews.  

Although Pusim has its serious side as a remembrance of the importance of religious freedom, it is mainly considered a children’s holiday. Children parade around the synagogue costumed as characters from the Esther story, and special three-cornered pastries called Homentashen are baked for the occasion.