What is Purim?

Purim is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated precisely four weeks before Passover. It is based on the story told in the Book of Esther.

3:8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. 3:9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries. 3:10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.

Play and laughter, food and drink is the order of the day.

Here are some recent pictures posted on my Facebook page from our recent Purim holiday, which took place last Sunday.

Rabbi Jonathon Sacks says that “It is important to celebrate because here is an instance where Jews overcame their enemies and were victorious, and this is worthy of celebration.”

And here is my favourite Purim video for this year – Move Like Graggers Remix (Purim Song) by Temple Israel, West Bloomfield, Michigan.

How many Purim themes can you name here?