Purim

, and , the story of the attack on the Jews by Amalek, the progenitor of Haman, is also to be read.

Purim gave rise to many religious compositions, some of which were incorporated into the . These include a large number of hymns intended for the public service. Other writings (dramas, plays, etc.) intended for general edification, both in Hebrew and in other languages, have been composed as well.

By the 18th century in eastern Romania and some other parts of Eastern Europe, Purim plays (called "Purimspiels") had evolved into broad-ranging satires with music and dance, precursors to Yiddish theater, for which the story of Esther was little more than a pretext: indeed, by the mid-19th century, some were even based on other stories, such as Joseph sold by his brothers, Daniel, or the Binding of Isaac. Since satire was deemed inappropriate for the synagogue itself, they were usually performed outdoors in its court. Purimspiels are still performed in many communities.

Boisterousness in the synagogue

Partly due to the festival's national rather than religious character, it was appropriate to celebrate the occasion by feasting. Purim is an occasion on which much joyous license is permitted within the walls of the synagogue itself. For example, during the public service in many congregations, when the reader of the Megillah mentions Haman (54 occurrences), there is boisterous hissing, stamping, and rattling. This practice traces its origin to the Tosafists (the leading French and German rabbis of the 13th century). In accordance with a passage in the Midrash, where the verse "Thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek" ( and Talmud Megillah 2a: "The 13th was the time of gathering", which gathering is explained to have had also the purpose of public prayer and fasting. Some, however, used to fast three days in commemoration of the fasting of Esther; but as fasting was prohibited during the month of Nisan, the first and second Mondays and the Thursday following Purim were chosen. The fast of the 13th is still commonly observed; but when that date falls on a Sabbath, the fast is pushed forward to the preceding Thursday, Friday being needed to prepare for the Sabbath and the following Purim festival.

Other "Purims"

In addition to the official Purim, other occasions arose to celebrate deliverance of communities or families from the threat of annihilation. These celebrations were called Purims:

Public / Communal

Until recently, many Jewish communities around the world celebrated local "Purims" that commemorated its deliverance from a particular anti-semitic ruler or group. The best known is "Purim Vintz", traditionally celebrated in Frankfurt am Main, one week after the regular Purim. This commemorates the Fettmilch uprising (1616-1620), in which one Vincenz Fettmilch attempted to exterminate the Jewish community. [Ulmer, Rivka: "Turmoil, Trauma, and Triumph. The Fettmilch Uprising in Frankfurt am Main (1612-1616) According to Megillas Vintz". [http://www.sehepunkte.historicum.net/2002/07/3792.html] ] According to some sources, the influential Rabbi Moses Sofer (the "Hatam Sofer"), who was born in Frankfurt, celebrated Purim Vintz every year, even when he served as a rabbi in Pressburg.

Private / Family

Many Jewish families have also had "family Purims" throughout the centuries, celebrated at home, whereby they celebrate their escape from persecution, an accident, or any other type of misfortune.

For example, in Krakow, Poland, Rabbi Yom Tov Lipmann Heller (1579-1654) asked that his family henceforth celebrate a private Purim, marking the end of his many troubles, including having faced trumped-up charges. [OU: "This Day in Jewish History: Adar" [http://www.ou.org/about/judaism/bhyom/hebrew/adar.htm] ] Since Purim is preceded by a fast day, the rabbi (known as the "Tosfos Yom Tov" because of his work of the same name) also directed his descendants to have a (private) fast day, the 5th day of Tamuz, marking one of his imprisonments (1629), this one lasting for 40 days. [Fine, Yisroel: "It Happened Today" [http://listserv.shamash.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind05&L=DAF-HASHAVUA&P=999] ] [Rosenstein, Neil: "The Feast and the Fast" (1984)]

References

ee also

*Achaemenid Empire
*Artaxerxes I of Persia
*Cyrus the Great
*Jewish holidays 2000-2050
*Second Temple
*Xerxes I of Persia

External links

* [http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/default_cdo/jewish/purim.htm Complete Purim Guide at chabad.org]
* [http://www.ou.org/chagim/purim/ Orthodox Union: Purim]
* [http://www.torah.org/learning/yomtov/purim/ Torah.org: Purim]
* [http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday9.htm Judaism 101: Purim]
* [http://www.aish.com/holidays/purim/ Complete Beginner's Guide to Purim at Aish.com]
* [http://www.easyrashi.com/Purim/PurimPage.htm All About Purim]
* [http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/events.htm Purim Events Around the World Directory]