PURIM

 

  Purim is about many things. It is about anti-Semitism, about physical and religious persecution of Jews. (Haman's desire and intention to have all of the Jews annihilated.) It is about assimilation of a minority culture, in this case the Jews, into the majority culture, in this case Persian. It is important to remember that the Jews in Persia at the time of this story, were completely integrated into the Persian society, just as so many of the German Jews were at the time of W.W.II.

            Vashti, King Ahashuerus's first wife, has been described as the first woman's libber because of her refusal to come and show off as the King, her husband, had requested. So, with Vashti Purim presents us with the issue of responsibility to speak up and being willing to make a public statement about who you are and what you believe. This issue also comes up in the characters of Esther, Mordecai and even King Ahashuerus. The events around these characters encourage us to discuss issues like: what are the dangers of silence? What are the risks and the values of public displays of concern or emotion or even of belief? What is the value or the danger of distinctiveness in one's identity and sense of belonging?

 

Purim also raises questions of authority. How is power, authority properly used? Was it OK that the King simply decided to have Haman hung? Who was really guilty? And of what? Who hid their identity? What effect did it have?

 

            These are interesting and important questions to consider, especially with your children of middle school age and older. Let me suggest some games, or exercises you could do to help you focus on some of these questions.

            1. Ask each other "How do you feel about Vashti? If you are a woman or a girl, are you proud of the way she acted? How about Esther, Mordecai or King Ahashuerus? What do you feel about Haman?" When parents and children talk about these questions, it is always valuable for the parents to listen without talking, and when the child has finished, for the parent to paraphrase what he/ she heard the child say.

            Maybe some of your younger children could draw pictures of how they feel about these characters. Does Mordecai have a happy, kind face, or an angry one?

 

2. Do a mock trial in your family. Put King Ahashuerus on trial, for example. Create a jury that can ask questions. Read the Megillah of Esther and challenge the King's right to hang Haman, or ask questions to determine a character's innocence or guilt. Issues of fairness are especially important to 2nd-5th graders and this could be a fun and interesting game.

 

            3. For 5th -8th graders the notion of being different is a very dominant one in their minds, and in ours as well. The story of Purim does address those issues. It is interesting to compare, for example, what it is like to be a Jew living in the suburbs of Boston, with what it was like to be a Jew living in the 3rd or 4th century before the common era. In both cases, the Jews are/were completely integrated into the secular society. An interesting game around this issue would be to put a long piece of tape on the floor, or to draw a line with a piece of chalk. At one end of the line you will write "American" and at the other "Jewish". Ask each person to put himself wherever he feels he belongs on the continuum. In other words, do we consider ourselves to be primarily an American and our Jewishness is less primary, or the other way around? Where have we created the balance for ourselves? Has it changed during our lives? And perhaps to consider specifically, what, if anything, has changed since 9/11/01? Do we feel the importance of looking out for each other as human beings, regardless of religious affiliation, to be even greater as modern history seems to show us how vulnerable we all are to the ill will of others? Each person should be able to discuss his position with the person on either side of him along the line.

 

4. One final suggestion is for us as parents to consider the use of ra-ashanim, or noise makers (greggors) on Purim. Why do we use them? What is the difference between "blotting out" a person's name and "booing" or expressing disapproval of that person? Do we, as parents, use the greggor as a kind of psychological protection for our children? What are we protecting them from, or trying to protect them from? We as parents could discuss some of the issues that our children have around fear. What can we do to make them feel safe?

 

Some questions and answers

1. In which book of the Bible is the story of Purim found?

            The story of Purim is found in Megillat Esther, the Scroll of Esther.

 

2. What is the story of Purim as it is depicted in Megillat Esther, in the story of Esther? Approximately when does it supposedly happen? Who are the cast of characters?

            Although there is little or no historical evidence for the "facts" of Purim, the scene is set around 200 BCE, in the Persian city of Shushan, in the days of King Ahasuerus. The king made a feast, invited his wife, Vashti to come and show off her beauty. When Vashti refused, the King decided to replace her as Queen. A beauty contest, of sorts, was held. Esther pleased the king above all of the others, was chosen to be Queen and a big feast (the feast of Esther) was held in Shushan. Meanwhile, Haman was a powerful man in the King's court. All the people were commanded to bow before Haman. When Haman saw that Mordecai refused to bow, Haman became angry and upon learning that Mordecai was a Jew, sought to destroy all Jews throughout the entire kingdom. The King gave Haman permission to do as he pleased. Mordecai pleaded with Esther to use her position as Queen to save her people. A banquet would be held at which Esther would make her request of the King. Everyone, including Haman was invited. At the banquet Esther revealed, Haman's plot to have all the Jews killed. The King ordered that Haman be hung on the gallows which Haman had prepared for Mordecai, and the Jews were saved!

 

3. Are there any similarities are there between the stories of Chanukah and of Purim?         

            The story of Chanukah has a historical basis, but there is little historical evidence supporting the events of Purim. Still, the two stories do share some similarities. Both stories tell of persecution and hatred of the Jews and that the Jews overcame a threat to their lives and religious observance. In both stories the "miraculous deliverance" is achieved by purely human means: the faith and power of Judah Maccabee and his brothers in the story of Chanukah, and by Mordecai and Esther in the story of Purim. Finally, in both stories, the proud and loyal Jews were battling against not only the non-Jews in the story but also the Hellenized Jews in the case of the Maccabees and the Persian Jews who were also assimilated, in the case of Mordecai and Esther.

 

4. What are some of the customs associated with Purim?

            On Purim we read or listen to Megillat Esther, the Scroll of Esther. We also celebrate with masquerades, we enjoy Hamantaschen (triangular shaped cookies) and other goodies; we bring gifts to our family and friends, and give charity to those less fortunate than ourselves.

 

5. Purim has among its rituals a fast, a feast and imbibing in alcohol. How is each of these rituals explained? How can the term "temperance" or "moderation" be applied within these apparently extreme observances?

            The Fast of Esther on the 13th of Adar commemorates the day on which the Jews of Shushan fasted in support of Esther who proposed to enter the court of the king without prior permission, to plead for her people. The act of entering the court without permission was a crime punishable by death, a fate Esther was willing to risk because the fate of her people was at stake.

            The feast (Purim seudah) is associated not only with the joy of the victory we celebrate at Purim, but is also commemorative of the unique and prominent place of banquets in the Book of Esther. It was at a banquet that Vashti was dismissed, that Esther was chosen Queen and later that Haman received his “just desserts”.

            The drinking of alcohol, usually wine, is part of many Jewish holidays. It is a symbol of celebration, of the joy of victory. A renowned Talmudic scholar said that, at Purim, a man is obliged to drink so much wine that he is no longer able to distinguish between the words "Blessed be Mordecai" and "cursed be Haman."

            Although “temperance” and “moderation” are considerably relaxed on Purim, the strictly religious will never overstep the bounds of decency. Despite festive meals, masquerades and an abundance of wine, the Megillah must be read and we are encouraged to remember the obligation of those in positions of power to help the afflicted. Although the name of God is not mentioned in the story, and the victory is apparently won completely by human power, there seems also to be the message that man is at his best with the integration of his physical and his spiritual (or divine) aspects. The Jewish laws regulating food and social life, also help serve that purpose.

 

6. What is the name of the month in the Hebrew calendar in which Purim falls?

            Purim falls in the Hebrew month of Adar. Because of the joy and happiness associated with Purim, it is customary during the month of Adar, to say to people "Be Happy! It's Adar!"

 

7. Where does the name Purim come from and what does it mean?

            The word “pur” in Persian or Aramaic means “lot” as in “lottery”. Purim is the Feast of Lots because Haman cast lots to determine the day on which the Jews were to be massacred.

 

8. Why is the name of God not mentioned in the Book of Esther (i.e. the story or Purim)?

            The author’s reasons for not using the word God in the Scroll of Esther are, of course, unknown. Some say it is because the story contains too much violence. According to others, since the Book of Esther was written in the form of a scroll and was sent out as a letter to all the outlying districts of Persia, the name of God was omitted lest the letter be desecrated or otherwise improperly handled. Finally, another explanation is that it was the intention of the author to demonstrate the power and potential of man to take charge of his own fate. A religious person could argue that, although the name of God is not mentioned in the story, in reality the characters in the Megillah were instruments for the Divine purpose. This would explain, they would tell us, Esther's being chosen as Queen even though, as the Midrash says, she "lacked the feminine charm that would turn man's head"; or the fact that the pride of the powerful official Haman, was disturbed by the solitary act of the "beggar" Mordecai.

 

9. Why is it customary to send gifts and goodies to friends and family on the day preceding Purim?

            The custom of shalachmanos (Yiddish) or mishloach manot (Hebrew) “sending portions”, comes from Mordecai’s instructions on how to celebrate the defeat of Haman. It is seen as an expression of joy over the victory of Esther, who frustrated the plot of Haman to annihilate the Jewish community of Persia.

 

10. Why do we eat Hamantashen on Purim? Why do these pastries have 3 corners? What are they sometimes called oznay Haman?

            Hamantaschen, in German “Haman’s pockets”, are a Purim tradition. The reasons given for the tradition and for the three-cornered shape are varied. One explanation for the shape is that Haman stuffed his pockets with bribe money. Another explanation is to remind us of the type of hat worn by Haman when he was second in command to the King of Persia. Finally, the most traditional explanation is that the strength of Esther was derived from her ancestors and that the 3 cornered pastries represent the 3 patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The name oznay Haman, “Haman’s ears”, is a reference to the barbarous punishment of cutting off the ears of criminals before hanging.

 

 

Title	Author	Comments
A Purim Album	Raymond Zwerin and Audrey Friedman Marcus Illustrated by Marlene Lobell Ruthen	The Purim story is told simply, with humor and from a child's perspective. Recommended for children from about 3 years to 6 years
Purim, Building a Jewish Life	A Torah Aura Production (Los Angeles, California)	An excellent hands on book; a very well told story and accompanying activity book; Recommended for 3 years and older
The Whole Megillah* (almost)	Shoshana Silberman	An abridged story (i.e. an abridged Megillah, but a rather long story); Each chapter has commentaries, and questions to spark discussion. Recommended for at least 5 or 6 years and older
Purim Fun for little hands	Katherine Janus Kahn	Recommended for preschool and beginning readers; kids can be fairly independent with this book, but adult supervision is recommended for some of the activities which require scissors, glue etc.
The Purim Anthology	Philip Goodman (A Jewish Publication Society book)	Recommended for adults; interesting and can be used as a resource; includes Hebrew and Yiddish songs. short stories, the origin, Purim in art and literature and much more

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