Simple Guide to Attending Jewish Ceremonies by Simple Guides

Author:Simple Guides [Lonsdale, Akasha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-85733-648-1
Publisher: Kuperard
Published: 2011-09-20T00:00:00+00:00

TA’ANIT ESTHER (THE FAST OF ESTHER)

(February–March)

At a time when the annihilation of the Jews in Persia was planned, Queen Esther called on the Jewish people to fast with her for three days before taking the unprecedented step of asking her husband, the Persian king, for their deliverance, which he granted. This minor fast falls on 13 Adar, the eve of Purim, the celebration of that deliverance.

PURIM

(February–March)

Purim, on 14 Adar, concludes the annual festival cycle and emphasizes ‘the hidden face of God’ in world affairs. Sometimes called ‘the Jewish Mardi Gras’, it is a time of high celebration commemorating Queen Esther’s saving of the Jews in Persia (see Ta’anit Esther, above). Apart from a lot of fun, there are also four important components to the day, which include the giving of money to charity in the form of three coins, symbolising the three half-shekels traditionally given in dues to the Temple of Solomon, giving mutual gifts of food and drink, and distributing alms to the poor.

At the evening and morning services the Megillah, the handwritten scroll of the Book of Esther, is read. When Haman the villain’s name is mentioned, the congregation hisses, boos and makes lots of noise with graggers, ratchet-style rattles, to blot out the name of evil.

Tasty treats are given to friends, including hamantaschen, which are triangular pastries filled with prunes and poppy seeds that are sometimes held to represent Haman’s ears. Traditionally, children and sometimes adults would dress up in fancy dress and put on plays for the community, perhaps a pantomime version of the Esther story, or go from house to house performing sketches poking fun at authority. Today there might be a fancy dress party for children. Finally there may be a festive meal in the late afternoon accompanied by much laughter and alcohol!

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