FEATURE ARTICLE
Purim
Purim is celebrated in the 12th month of the Jewish calendar on the 14th day of Adar which is usually in the month of March. The word Purim means "lots" and refers to the lots (pur) Haman used to choose the day to massacre the Jews. The Book of Ester known as Megillat Ester or the Scroll of Ester is read during this festival.
A custom during Purim is to boo, hiss, stamp feet and rattle noise makers at the mention of the name Haman while we eat drink and be merry, send gifts to friends because of the miraculous deliverance granted the Jews.
The book of Ester has the touching story that describes the entire back drop of this wonderful festival with Ester or Hadassah the beautiful young Jewish woman who took courage to go before the King Achashverosh, Mordecai her uncle who lived righteous to HaShem, Haman the villain who tried to massacre the Jews and King Achashverosh who God made to favor Ester.
In the final month or twelfth month of Adar as we celebrate Purim which means "lots" where Ester was used to prevent catastrophe and misfortune in the lives of the Jews and also Haman (BOO) who set a gallows for Mordecai (YEY) was hanged on his own gallows. Purim is a time to enforce all spiritual laws against the enemy of our soul knowing that Christ spoiled all principalities and powers and made an open show of them.
It is a time of intense spiritual warfare enforced against the devil to stop his illegal efforts against a Child of God. Purim is a time to enforce the word and anointing of God against the devil to see satan's yokes destroyed and burdens removed by the miracle working intervening power of Christ. Purim is a time of the mysteries of Christ.
There is spiritual power embedded in all set feasts and to ignore their annual observances is to operate at a level below the abundant life Christ intended for us to experience.
The day after Purim is known as Shushan Purim celebrated the 15th day of Adar. The fight against the anti-semites took a day longer in Shushan where King Achashverosh lived than for the rural areas and the Jews in Shushan did not get to rest and to celebrate until a day after.
The day before Purim is called Ta'anit Ester to celebrate the 3 day fast Ester did before she informed the king about Haman's (BOO) plot against Mordecai (YEY)
Ta'anit Ester or the fast of Ester begins at the break of dawn Adar 13 and ends at nightfall that day. Ta'anit Ester may also be celebrated Adar 11 if the 13th falls on a Shabbat. Children below age of 13 for boys and 12 for girls are not required to fast especially before BAR/BAT MITZVAH.
Mishloach or sending food such as fruit, wine and baked goods to friends is a custom of Purim.
Matanot L' evyonim or giving gifts to the poor. The gifts are to be given on Purim day after the reading of the Megillah (Scroll) of Ester. Rambam Maimonedes says about Purim "it is better for a man to increase gifts to the poor than to enlarge his feasts and to give gifts to his friends. The Mitzvah requires a minimum of giving two gifts which may be giving food to at least two poor persons.
Purim Sueda, is a big custom and a mitzvah and requires we eat and eat and eat as well as drink, and drink and drink. The reason wine is used as a symbol at Purim is both Vashti and Haman (BOO) defeats came as a result of feasting on wine. Tractate Megillah 7b. The Rabbis of the Talmud Gemara who are conservative in their thinking state Ahd D' Lo Yada Bain Arur Haman L' Boruch Mordechai which means "until he can no longer tell the difference between ?cursed be Haman' and ?blessed be Mordechai.'" A person who cannot drink can fulfill the mitzvah Ahd D' Lo Yada by sleeping because one who sleeps allegedly cannot tell the difference between a blessing and a curse. The Rabbis are trying to accomplish a high level of silly insubstantial behavior as part of the celebration not alcohol abuse or destructive drinking.
Reading The Megillah or Scroll of Ester is a big deal and this is a wild a crazy time in synagogue as in no other festival celebration. There is interruption of the scroll reading every time the name Haman is mentioned all fifty four times with BOOs, clappers, cap guns, sirens and clanging pots. This interruption is expected. The interruption continues when the ten names of Haman's ten sons are mentioned.
Purim is the only celebration where we are inane, poke fun at ourselves and dress up in costumes but no cross dressing to have fun. Rabbis intended for this celebration we have a sense of humor and increase our happiness for the entire month of Adar not just for Purim.
HAPPY PURIM!!
Chag Sameyach - Joyous Festival - Happy Holiday
