Jewish Feast of Purim

Each nation has special days, the history of which goes back to the distant past. The Jewish holiday of Purim is no exception. The merry celebrations of today are closely related to the bloody events of the past, as a result of which Jews as a nation had the right to exist.

A Brief History of the Jewish Holiday of Purim

Strength and wealth are the two main concepts that lie to this day in the foundation of the reign of the greats of this world. More than 2,000 years ago, Persia was a mighty empire, thanks to the predatory wars of King Ahasuerus. People trembled before him and worshiped him, because all those who disliked the king were cruelly executed.

During the reign of Cyrus, the Jews received the legal right to restore their Temple, destroyed by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. Years later, the king preferred to see the capital of the state of Susa. He changed the attitude towards the Jewish nation, as evidenced by the law that he issued, which prohibits the return of people to their historical homeland. Such a positive trait, like religious tolerance, did not allow him to veto the work in the Temple. This happened when the throne passed to Ahasuerus, who had in her wives a granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzar Vashti.

The Bible book of Esther tells of Judah Mordecai, who faithfully served the king and his cousin Esther, who was Jewish and took the place of Vashti (Vashti), who lost her title. Mordecai refused to obey the king's decree to bow to the high official of Persia Aman, as a result of which, with the help of court intrigues, he decided to destroy the entire Jewish people by casting lots on a bloody date. Esther revealed the plot, and Haman was executed. His post went to Mordecai, who once proved his loyalty to Achashverosh. He achieved the right of protection for the Jews. Thus, the 13th day of the month of Adar in the Jewish calendar was the last day of life for tens of thousands of enemies of the Jews. Mordecai and Esther decided together how many to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim and appointed him to 14 Adar for the whole country and 15 Adar to Susa. In a leap year, Purim is celebrated in an additional month. The highest official of the state in a difficult time for Israel was not only a servant of the king, but also a servant of his people.

How do they celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim?

According to the orders of Mordecai and Esther? Jews had to celebrate the feast with feasting and merriment, not forgetting the poor. The status of this special day for people allows them to work. The book of Esther is the main relic of the feast, since without reading the scrolls evening and morning prayer in the Temple can not do. The spoken name of Haman from year to year is accompanied by noisy indignation. In the course is not only stomping with feet, but also various objects in the form of whistles and treshchetok.

In Jewish families it is customary to cook all kinds of sweets and exchange them. Traditional cookies have a triangular shape, it is filled with a filling in the form of poppy or jam. Due to its appearance, it has the name "hamentation", which in translation means "the ears of Haman" or "Haman's pocket". Among people, the tradition of giving each other and the poor beautifully decorated holiday baskets with food was adopted.

Purim does not do without a carnival with interesting costumes and disguise. Jews celebrate the holiday all over the world. Actors are preparing for the presentations, the plot of which always corresponds to the book of Esther. To date, this is a serious drama, which attracts a huge number of spectators, who are pleased to observe the skillful play of actors in musical accompaniment. Jews firmly believe that Esther's book is written for ages and that no event in the world can reduce the significance of the feast.