The 14th of Adar is the day that פּוּרִים is observed. It's a very happy holiday where you get to spend a whole day eating delicious food, dressing up as a clown (or whatever), and getting drunk (well, not if you are underage, and please don't drive). It's even a mitzva. How awesome! Let's examine all the Purim elements.
No time for reading? Okay, jump to the 2 most important takeaways from this article.
The Story In A Nutshell
Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman. Haman was the royal vizier to the Persian king Achashverosh. The name "Purim" comes from the lots Haman drew to determine the day of the Jews' destruction. Mordecai, a member of the Benjamin tribe, and Esther, his cousin and adoptive daughter, who had become queen of Persia by her marriage to Achashverosh—who was unaware that he had married a Jew—thwarted his schemes. Risking her life, Esther, finally revealed her true identity as a Jew to her husband, the king, and saved the Jewish people! Haman was hanged, and a new decree was issued granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies.
Whoa. Thus, this may be the explanation for folks who wonder how Jews have survived for centuries: we have been living in survival mode ever since. It comes naturally to us. Regrettably, it remains essential.
If you have no time to read the rest of the article, then you can just jump to the second takeaway from this article.
The Day Before Purim
On Purim eve, Jews observe the Fast of Esther (תַּעֲנִית אֶסְתֵּר) in remembrance of two communal fasts they had previously performed in order to pray for redemption from annihilation.
Customs
The book of Esther will be read publicly (מְגִילַּת אֶסְתֵּר). In Hebrew, this "book" is actually a scroll, מְגִילָּה. In the synagogue, it is recited twice: once on Purim evening and again the following morning. This particular scroll's reading is referred to as "קְרִיאַת מְגִילַּת אֶסְתֵּר" in Hebrew, where a reading is called a "קְרִיאָה". When Haman's name is spoken throughout the reading, you can destroy his wicked reputation by stamping your feet or twirling groggers, or noisemakers (link to Google image search).
Give food or cash to two or more underprivileged persons on Purim's daytime hours. Jewish solidarity is one of the main themes of Purim. Haman attempted to assassinate each of us; we were all in danger. We put extra focus on helping the least fortunate on Purim day.
Enjoy a fantastic dinner. Get your family together, bring a few friends, and have a wonderful Purim dinner throughout the day. This supper starts early in the afternoon and continues long into the evening. And remember to indulge on hamantashen, which are filled pastry with three corners (link to Google image search).
Drinking and having fun. "A person is obligated to become intoxicated on Purim until he does not know the difference between 'cursed is Haman' and 'blessed is Mordechai,'" as the Babylonian sage Rava famously said.
Putting on a costume. A lot of kids dress up as queens and kings.
This is how I dressed up as Queen Esther for Purim 1977:
