What is Purim?

An Overview

Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. During the Purim celebration, Jews participate in a boisterous public reading of the biblical book of Esther, as well as delivering baskets of food and drink to friends, eating hat-shaped cookies, performing plays and parodies, and dressing up in costume. Though the revelry is often compared to our American Halloween or Mardi Gras, the inspiration for this early spring holiday (held the 14th day of the month of Adar on the Jewish calendar) is actually quite serious: a time of grave danger for the Jewish people, and an inspiring Jewish woman — Esther — who displayed great faith and courage to save them.

The Inspiration

The story of Purim is told in the book of Esther. Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman living in Persia, was taken to the house of Xerxes, King of Persia, to become part of his harem. Thankfully, her cousin Mordecai, one of the king’s advisors who was like a father to Esther, helped her find favor in the eyes of the king. Though King Xerxes loved Esther more than the rest of his wives and made her the queen, he had no idea she was a Jew.

Haman, one of the king’s top advisors, was an evil man, as well as a descendant of the Amalekites, an ancient enemy of the Israelites. While the other king’s officials bowed down to Haman to show respect, Mordecai refused.

As a Jew, Mordecai only bowed down in worship to God. Infuriated by this, Haman plotted to destroy all the Jewish people in revenge. He told the king, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them” (Esther 3:8). The king handed over the fate of the Jewish people to Haman, who planned to kill them all.

Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. This was a dangerous thing for her to do, because anyone who came into the king’s presence without being summoned could be put to death. Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself, then went to see the king. Thankfully, he welcomed her. She told him of Haman’s plot against her people and begged for their salvation. Because of her bravery, and her faith that God put her in that place “for such a time as this,” the Jewish people were saved, and Haman was hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai.

Esther is the only book of the Bible that does not contain the name of God. Thus, one important message of the story is that, though we might not always be aware of His presence, events that may appear to be chance or coincidence are often mighty acts of our sovereign God.

The Celebration

Esther 9:20-32 establishes the Purim holiday. Jews mark the holiday today with carnival-like parties, plays and parodies, and beauty contests. Many Jews dress in costume on Purim, making it one of the most anticipated holidays for young children.

Jews focus on this dramatic time in their history by reading aloud the Megillah, a scroll containing the book of Esther, twice — once on Purim eve and again on Purim day. During this reading at the synagogue, Jews boo, hiss, stomp their feet, and rattle groggers (noisemakers) whenever Haman’s name is mentioned, as a way to blot out his name.

On Purim, Jews are also commanded to send out gifts of food or drink and to perform acts of charity. Among European Jews, traditional Purim treats are hamentaschen, triangular fruit-filled cookies that represent Haman’s three-cornered hat.

On a more serious note, Purim is also preceded by a minor fast, the Fast of Esther, which commemorates Esther’s three days of fasting in preparation for her meeting with the king. Overall however, this is a day to celebrate God’s miraculous rescue of the Jewish people, and to inspire His followers to a trust and obedience like Esther’s.