A fast is observed Thursday by all adults (i.e., over bar or bat mitzvah age) in commemoration of the three-day fast called at Esther's behest before she risked her life to appear unsummoned before King Achashveirosh to save the Jewish people from Haman's evil decree (as related in the Book of Esther, chapter 4). The fast also commemorates Esther's fasting on the 13th of Adar, as the Jews fought their enemies (see "Today in Jewish History"). No food or drink is partaken of from daybreak to nightfall. Pregnant or nursing women or people in ill health are exempted from fasting.
Links:
The Fast of Esther: What, Why and How
Why Is It Called the Fast of Esther?
In commemoration of the half shekel contributed by each Jew to the Holy Temple -- and which the Talmud credits as having counteracted the 10,000 silver coins Haman gave to King Ahasuerus to obtain the royal decree calling for the extermination of the Jewish people -- it is customary to give three coins in "half denomination" (e.g., the half-dollar coins) to charity on the afternoon of the Fast of Esther. (In many synagogues, plates are set out with silver half-dollars, so that all could purchase them to use in observance of this custom).
Links:
Parshat Shekalim
The Mystical Significance of the Half-Shekel
Why Give Half-Shekels to Charity on Taanit Esther?
The festival of Purim begins at nightfall Thursday, and the Megillah (Book of Esther) is read for the first time that evening. See entries for , Adar 14. (Except for Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities, where the festival is observed beginning tomorrow night--see entries for Adar 15.)
Purim observances include:
a) Reading of the Megillah (Book of Esther), which recounts the story of the Purim miracle.
b) Giving to the poor (gifts of money should be given to at least two poor people).
c) Sending gifts of food to friends (a minimum of two read-to-eat foods to at least one friend).
d) The Purim feast.
e) Reciting the Al Hanissim prayer.
Customs include dressing up in disguising costumes and the traditional Purim food, the hamantash. For more detailed information, see links below.
When Purim falls on Friday -- as it does this year -- all of the above should be done before Shabbat begins, 18 minutes before sunset.
...Because they tested G‑d, saying: "Is G‑d among us, or not?" Then came Amalek, and waged war with Israel in Rephidim (17:7-8)
After all that they had seen G‑d do on their behalf — the Ten Plagues brought upon Egypt to free them, the splitting of the sea, the "bread from heaven" that descended each morning to nourish them — how could the people of Israel possibly question, "Is G‑d amongst us or not"?
But such is the nature of doubt. There is doubt that is based on a rational query. There is doubt that rises from the doubter's subjective motives and desires. But then there is doubt pure and simple: doubt that neutralizes the most compelling evidence and the most inspiring experience with nothing more than a cynical shrug.
Amalek is the essence of doubt, of irrational challenge to truth. (Thus the Hebrew word Amalek has a numerical value of 240 — the same as the word safek, "doubt"). Because the people of Israel had succumbed to the Amalek within their own souls, they became vulnerable to attack by Amalek the nation.
(The Chassidic Masters)
What is the incident (of Amalek) comparable to? To a boiling tub of water which no creature was able to enter. Along came one evil-doer and jumped into it. Although he was burned, he cooled it for the others.
So, too, when Israel came out of Egypt, and G‑d split the sea before them and drowned the Egyptians within it, the fear of Israel fell upon all the nations. But when Amalek came and challenged them, although he received his due from them, he cooled the awe of the nations of the world for them.
(Midrash Tanchuma)
It came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed (17:11)
Did then the hands of Moses wage war or break war? Not so; but so long as Israel looked upwards and subjected their hearts to their Father in Heaven, they prevailed; and when they did not, they fell.
(Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 29a)
Moses was born on the 7th of Adar of the year 2368 from creation (1393 BCE); accordingly, Adar 14 was the 8th day of his life and the day on which he was circumcised in accordance with the Divine command to Abraham.
The festival of Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman's plot "to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day."
The events of Purim extended over a period of several years, culminating in the victory celebrations of Adar 14-15 of 356 BCE. Below is a timeline of the major events. For the detailed story, see the Book of Esther and The Story of Purim
Event | Date | |
Achashveirosh ascends the throne of Persia | 369 BCE | |
Achashveirosh's 180-day feast; Queen Vashti executed | 366 BCE | |
Esther becomes queen | Tevet, 362 BCE | |
Haman casts lots to choose date for Jews' annihilation | Nissan, 357 BCE | |
Royal decree ordering killing of all Jews | Nissan 13, 357 BCE | |
Mordechai calls on Jews to repent; 3-day fast ordered by Esther | Nissan 14-16, 357 BCE | |
Esther goes to Achashveirosh; hosts 1st wine party with Achashveirosh and Haman | Nissan 16, 357 BCE | |
Esther's 2nd wine party; Haman's downfall and hanging | Nissan 17, 357 BCE | |
Second decree issued by Achashveirosh, empowering the Jews to defend themselves | Sivan 23, 357 BCE | |
Battles fought throughout the empire against those seeking to kill the Jews; Haman's ten sons killed | Adar 13, 356 BCE | |
Purim celebrations everywhere, except Shushan where 2nd day of battles are fought | Adar 14, 356 BCE | |
Purim celebration in Shushan | Adar 15, 356 BCE | |
Megillah written by Esther and Mordechai; Festival of Purim instituted for all generations | 355 BCE |
On August 2, 1990, the Iraqi army under Saddam Hussein occupied Kuwait. After five weeks of heavy fighting, coalition forces succeeded in liberating Kuwait, and a ceasefire was declared on February 28, 1991, corresponding to the holiday of Purim.
Despite threats from Saddam to bombard Israel with chemical warheads, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson, stated unequivocally that "the Land of Israel is the safest place in the world," and predicted that the war would be over by Purim.
Links: I Will Show You Wonders; Purim Saddam; End the War Now!
Purim observances include:
a) Reading of the Megillah (Book of Esther), which recounts the story of the Purim miracle.
b) Giving to the poor (gifts of money should be given to at least two poor people).
c) Sending gifts of food to friends (a minimum of two read-to-eat foods to at least one friend).
d) The Purim feast.
e) Reciting the Al Hanissim prayer.
Customs include dressing up in disguising costumes and the traditional Purim food, the hamantash. For more detailed information, see links below.
When Purim falls on Friday -- as it does this year -- all of the above should be done before Shabbat begins, 18 minutes before sunset.
In Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities, the festival would normally be observed tomorrow Adar 15th. Because this year Adar 15 is on Shabbat, the festivals observances are spread over a three day period. The megillah is read today, and the gifts to the poor are also given. Al Hanissim is recited only on Shabbat, and the sending of food to friends and the Purim meal are done on Sunday. All three days are days of joy ansd celebration. This phenomenon is known as "The Triple Purim."
Virtual Purim (a website offering the story of Purim, detailed How-To's, articles and essays, Purim songs and videos, and a global Purim event directory).
A special Purim site for kids
The book of Esther with commentary.
A Purim anthology
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