Esther - The Poetry of Purim...Continued from page 1

Esther Chapter 9, Poetically Re-arranged by Thomas

THE PRACTICE OF PURIM

Purim Celebrated
Purim will occur on the following days of the Gregorian calendar:

Jewish Year 5764: sunset March 6, 2004 - nightfall March 7, 2004

Jewish Year 5765: sunset March 24, 2005 - nightfall March 25, 2005

Jewish Year 5766: sunset March 13, 2006 - nightfall March 14, 2006

Jewish Year 5767: sunset March 3, 2007 - nightfall March 4, 2007

Jewish Year 5768: sunset March 20, 2008 - nightfall March 21, 2008

Purim Basics

On both days of the feast the modern Jews read over the Megillah, or Book of Esther, in their synagogues. The copy read must not be printed, but written on vellum in the form of a roll; and the names of the ten sons of Haman are written on it in a special manner, being ranged, they say, like so many bodies on a gibbet. The reader must pronounce all these names in one breath. Whenever Haman's name is pronounced, they make a terrible noise in the synagogue. Some drum with their feet on the floor, and the boys have mallets with which they knock and make a noise. They prepare themselves for their carnival by a previous fast, which should continue three days, in imitation of Esther’s; but they have mostly reduced it to one day (Yenning’s ‘Jewish Antiquities’.  From Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright ©1997 by Biblesoft.)

 

As soon as the stars appear the festival commences, candles are lighted, and all the Jews go to the synagogue, where, after the evening service, the benediction is pronounced, and the book of Esther is read by the prelector. As often as the name of Haman is mentioned in the reading, the congregation stamps on the floor, saying, “Let his name be blotted out. The name of the wicked shall rot!” while the children shake rattles. After the reading the congregation exclaims, “Cursed be Haman; blessed be Mordecai!” etc.; the benediction is said, and all go home and partake of milk and eggs. On the 14th, in the morning, the people go to the synagogue; several prayers are inserted into the regular ritual; Exodus 17:8-16 is read as the lesson from the law, and Esther, as on the previous evening. The rest of the festival is given up to rejoicing, exchanging of presents, games, etc. Rejoicing continues on the 15th, and the festival terminates on the evening of this day.  (from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. ©1988.)

 

When the stars appear at the beginning of the 14th candles are lighted in joy, and the people assemble in the synagogue. Then the megillah “roll” of Esther is read through histrionically. On Haman's name being mentioned the congregation exclaim, “let his name be blotted out!” His sons’ names are read in one enunciation to mark they were all hanged at once. At the close of reading the megallah all cry out, “cursed be Haman, blessed be Mordecai; cursed be Zeresh (Haman’s wife), blessed be Esther; cursed be all idolaters, blessed be all Israelites, and blessed be Harbonah who hanged Haman!” The repast at home is mainly milk and eggs. At morning service Exodus 17:8-16, the doom of Amalek the people of Agag (1 Samuel 15:8), Haman's ancestor (Esther 3:1), is read. Saturnalian-like drinking and acting, the men assuming women’s attire (the Purim suspending the prohibition, Deuteronomy 22:5), and offerings for the poor, characterize the feast (Esther 9:17-32). The feast began among the Jews of their own accord; Mordecai wrote confirming it, and Esther joined with him in “writing with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purlin.” (See JESUS CHRIST on “the feast of the Jews,” John 5:1, not probably Purim (which the Vaticanus and the Alexandrinus manuscripts reading, “a,” favors), but the Passover (which the Sinaiticus manuscript, “the,” indicates).)  (from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database ©1998 by Biblesoft.)

 

CELEBRATING PURIM TODAY

There are four mitzvot specific to the holiday of Purim:

  Reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther)

Festivity and rejoicing (the Purim meal)

Sending food to friends (Mishloach Manot)

Giving gifts to the poor (Matanot La'evyonim)

The Book of Esther is read on Purim night, and again the next day. Every word must be clearly heard. We read it in the synagogue, because the larger the crowd, the greater publicity is given to the miracle of our being saved.

On Purim morning, we bustle around town visiting friends and delivering tasty treats -- Mishloach Manot. Purim is the day we reach out to embrace our fellow Jews -- irrespective of any religious or social differences. After all, Haman did not discriminate amongst us... that's why it is particularly good to give gifts to those who you may have had an argument with, or someone new in the community who needs a new friend.

On Purim, it is also a special mitzvah to give gifts of money to the poor. The Jewish people are one unit -- we can't possibly enjoy the holiday if poor people don't have enough.

Then comes the day's grand finale -- the festive meal. We eat our fill and pamper our bodies -- because it is the Jewish bodies that Haman sought to destroy...We dress up in costumes, to let our defenses down and open up to the deeper reality of ourselves and our world. All our current problems and life’s imperfections blend into good, until they become one unified expression of the Almighty's infinite perfection.

There is truly no other holiday like Purim!  (Taken from www.aish.com/holidays/purim)

 

Purim Resources on the Internet

 

Purim With Aish.com   (www.aish.com/holidays/purim).  It has a great one minute video about the implications of Purim for the modern Jewish people, and lots of information on the celebration of the holiday today.

 

Judaism 101:  Purim (www.JewFAQ.org).  It contains a lot of interesting information as well as recipes for dishes for the celebration.

 

A Virtual Purim (www.Chabad.org/holidays/purim).  Exactly what it sounds like; lots of fun activities to explore about Purim.  Only problem I found was that it wouldn’t let me out of the website!

 

EverythingJewish.Com  (www.everythingjewish.com/Purim).  And even more information on this holiday.

 

Torahtots.Com (www.torahtots.com/holidays/purim).  Purim activities, games, coloring for the kids (get it, Torah Tots).  I’ll bet you really wanted to color a picture of Haman!! 

 

You can even buy a “Haman Bashing Piñata for Purim” online!! Maybe we Christians can take a lesson from these guys and learn to have fun a little more while honoring God and His Word.

 

© 2005 by Harvest Christian Fellowship. All rights reserved. Written by Thomas Klock for Men’s Bible Fellowship, 2004-2005.

 www.Harvest.org