Get Happy—Purim is Coming!

The Jewish festival of Purim falls during the Hebrew month of Adar. Based on the biblical Scroll of Esther, the story depicts the Jewish Community of ancient Persia suddenly threatened with total annihilation. The evil vizier Haman is incensed by the refusal of a prominent Jew, Mordechai, to bow before him, and plots to convince the Persian monarch, Ahasuerus, to kill the Jews.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Haman, it turns out that Ahasuerus’ beloved (and beautiful) Queen Esther is herself Jewish; she is, in fact, Mordechai’s niece. Esther pleads before the king on behalf of her people...and the tragedy is averted. Esther then proclaims that the day of Purim should be observed as a festive holiday for Jews throughout generations; more than two thousand years later, we are still celebrating.

The manner in which Jews observe the festival of Purim reveals some interesting lessons, which are applicable to all people. In general, Purim is a joyous, almost raucous holiday - we dress up in costumes, hold carnivals, make a lot of noise, drink a bit (one Talmudic Rabbi prescribes that on Purim, one should drink so much that he can’t tell the difference between “Blessed by Mordechai” and “cursed by Haman”), and generally have a good time.
               
But there are four mitzvot - required observances - that the tradition demands of Jews on Purim:
               
We publicly read the Megillah - the Scroll of Esther - in synagogue. Parents and grandparents bring their children to hear the story and participate in the drama. Unless we tell the story, over and over, every year and in every generation, we will soon lose touch with our history, and with the understanding of who we are. New events occur, times change, but unless we are rooted in the past, we become rootless in the present.
               
We send gifts of food, called Mishloach Manot, or Shalach Moh-nes, to our peers, our friends and neighbors.
               
We hold or participate in a Se’udat Purim, a Purim feast. This festive meal is held in families’ homes or elsewhere. It usually includes good food and drink, and some telling of jokes, humorous parodies of the Purim story, even making fun of the rabbi (in communities other than Greensboro, of course). The idea is that friends and family get together for joyous religious celebrations, not just for somber ones. Although one could hold a Purim feast alone, joy shared is doubled.
               
Concern for the poor in our midst is obligated by Jewish tradition, but for Purim the rabbis decreed a particular commandment of Matanot l’Evyonim - giving to the poor. In fact, even poor people are required to observe this commandment! This custom teaches us that we need to mark our happy occasions by sharing, and that we rejoice by giving! Celebration is incomplete without sharing with others.
                 
Purim is such a happy holiday, that from the first of the Hebrew month of Adar (Purim falls on the 14th of Adar), joy begins to build.