Purim

Purim commemorates the miracle of the salvation of the Jews of the Persian empire from Haman's plot to destroy them in a single day. The miracle occurred in the days of King Ahasuerus, through the efforts of Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther, who acted with strategy and prayer to save their people. Haman, who was the viceroy, was envious of Mordecai for not bowing to him, and persuaded the king to agree to the destruction of the Jews. Esther, who was queen and had not revealed her people, risked her life and entered the king's presence uninvited, and through her wisdom turned the tide.

The name of the festival is derived from the pur — the lot that Haman cast to determine the day of destruction. Unlike Hanukkah, where the miracle was overt, the miracle of Purim was hidden — divine providence worked behind the scenes, through the actions of human beings. Therefore, on Purim, four mitzvot are commanded: reading the Megillah, sending gifts of food, the Purim feast, and gifts to the poor.

Purim and Hanukkah are the two major festivals in Judaism whose source is not in the written Torah, but in rabbinic law. According to tradition, on the 13th of Adar — the eve of Purim — the planned destruction was to take place, and therefore it was established as a fast day (Ta'anit Esther). On that day, instead of being killed, the Jews fought their enemies, and on the following day — the 14th of Adar — the victory was celebrated. In walled cities from the days of Joshua son of Nun (such as Jerusalem, Shushan, and Tiberias), Purim is celebrated on the 15th of Adar, and is called Shushan Purim or Purim of the walled cities.

• Reading the Book of Esther — twice, in the evening and in the morning, and one must hear every word of the Megillah.
• Mishloach Manot — sending gifts of food to one another, at least two types of food to one person, through a messenger.
• Matanot La'evyonim — giving charity to at least two poor people, and some give more.
• Purim feast — a festive meal during the day, and some drink wine until they cannot distinguish between cursed be Haman and blessed be Mordecai.
• Costumes and masks — a custom that developed over the generations, alluding to the hidden face in the miracle of Purim (concealed providence).
• Noisemakers — making noise when Haman's name is read in the Megillah, to fulfill and the name of Haman shall be blotted out.
• Eating hamantaschen — triangular filled cookies, in memory of Haman's ears or his pockets.
• Purimspiel — plays and buffoonery, a custom originating in Ashkenazi communities.
• Half-shekel — giving the half-shekel to charity, in memory of the half-shekel of the Temple, before or on Purim.

Purim is a rabbinic festival, and labor is not prohibited except in certain cities. The four mitzvot of the day are: reading the Megillah (at night and during the day), sending Mishloach Manot (at least two types of food to one person, through a messenger), giving Matanot La'evyonim (to at least two poor people), and the Purim feast. The obligation to read the Megillah applies to men and women alike. Women are obligated in these mitzvot because they too were included in the miracle. The Megillah must be read from a handwritten scroll on parchment; some say that reading from a printed book does not fulfill the obligation. One must hear every word of the Megillah; if one missed a word, some say one did not fulfill the obligation. Mishloach Manot must be sent through a messenger, not given directly. The Purim feast must be held during the day, not at night, and its essence is in drinking wine and rejoicing.

In Purim prayers, Al HaNisim is added to the Amidah (in the Modim blessing) and to Grace After Meals. The Book of Esther is read in the evening and morning, and in the morning the portion of Vayavo Amalek is also read from the Torah. Tachanun is not recited, and Hallel is not read (rather, a form of Hallel is recited through selected Psalms, because the miracle was hidden and not overt). Some recite special piyyutim, including Shoshanat Yaakov, recited after the reading of the Megillah. On the Sabbath before Purim (Shabbat Zachor), the portion of Zachor is read, containing the commandment to remember the deeds of Amalek.