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Purim
Feb 27, 2012 14:13:53 GMT -6
Post by sharon on Feb 27, 2012 14:13:53 GMT -6
Who: A Jewish holiday called Purim
What: Celebrates the victory of the Jews over an evil Persian ruler named Haman (Historically the story took place during the 300's BCE). Esther, the heroine of the story, becomes queen of Persia and is secretly Jewish. The king's advisor/prime minister (depending on the translation), Haman decides to kill all the Jews because they won't bow down to him (Jews bow only to G-d not to people). Esther bravely breaks the law to see the king, risking her life, and tells him she is Jewish, asking him to save her people. He does, and Haman is executed.
Where: Celebrations take place at synagogue where people dress in costumes and come to hear the story read from a scroll called a Megillah. Noisemakers, called graggers are used each time Haman's name is read, to drown out the sound of it. There is lots of shouting and foot stamping too. Carnivals are part of the celebration and most synagogues have one of these as well.
When: Usually March, but occasionally late February
Other traditions: Hamantashen, triangular cookies are traditional. These are packaged with other treats and given out to family, friends and neighbors. (Think Halloween in reverse. We dress up and go DELIVER treats.)
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Purim
Feb 27, 2012 14:18:42 GMT -6
Post by sharon on Feb 27, 2012 14:18:42 GMT -6
This is what a Megillah might look like A traditional wooden gragger looks something like this But often synagogues give out little plastic ones like this to anyone attending the Megillah reading Hamantashen look like this
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Purim
Feb 27, 2012 15:48:38 GMT -6
Post by angel22 on Feb 27, 2012 15:48:38 GMT -6
OOH! I watched a movie about this on Hulu not too long ago. If I remember correctly it is just called "Esther." I should check on that...
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Purim
Feb 27, 2012 15:50:58 GMT -6
Post by sharon on Feb 27, 2012 15:50:58 GMT -6
As should I!
I just looked and there is something called One Night With The King that sounds like it is the Purim story. I must check it out! Thanks!
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Purim
Feb 27, 2012 15:57:20 GMT -6
Post by angel22 on Feb 27, 2012 15:57:20 GMT -6
I was wrong, it was One Night With the King. LOL! It obviously doesn't get the story completely correct but the basics are there. I enjoyed it.
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Purim
Feb 27, 2012 16:06:30 GMT -6
Post by ReneeW on Feb 27, 2012 16:06:30 GMT -6
I enjoy that story because it's so nice to see women being acknowledged for their bravery. My understanding is that even as the queen, she risked being put to death by going to the king without him summoning her. So that's why she was risking her life by going to him -- but she did for the sake of her family and Jewish community. Yay Esther!!! But I was ignorant and didn't realize that Purim was related to the Esther story!! So that is good for me to know--thanks, Sharon.
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Purim
Feb 27, 2012 16:16:24 GMT -6
Post by sharon on Feb 27, 2012 16:16:24 GMT -6
Yes, it was illegal for anyone to go to the kind without being summoned. And even as Queen, it seemed she had very few rights, since she was a woman. The story begins with the king making his first queen "disappear" because she refused to dance naked for him and his friends at one of his drunken parties. That's why he is in the market for a new queen.
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Purim
Feb 29, 2012 17:08:21 GMT -6
Post by sharon on Feb 29, 2012 17:08:21 GMT -6
Angel - thanks for telling me about One Night With The King! I enjoyed it a lot and it really captured the twists and turns of this complicated story. Not sure why they used the wrong name for the king, and of course there was some poetic license, but I think they were pretty true to original story.
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Purim
Feb 29, 2012 21:34:31 GMT -6
Post by angel22 on Feb 29, 2012 21:34:31 GMT -6
So glad that you liked it! I really enjoyed the movie and am glad that I didn't read the reviews about the inaccuracies before I watched it. (I tend to dwell on them and tear the film apart.) I think that the movie was really well done with explaining the story for those who don't "know" it already. =)
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Purim
Feb 4, 2013 5:30:42 GMT -6
Post by sharon on Feb 4, 2013 5:30:42 GMT -6
Purim is February 24, 2013!
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Purim
Mar 11, 2014 20:12:33 GMT -6
Post by sharon on Mar 11, 2014 20:12:33 GMT -6
Purim is this weekend!
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