Purim
Purim 2024 begins at sundown on Saturday, March 23 and concludes at nightfall on Sunday, March 24
This Purim, join us in performing an extra Mitzvah to protect and strengthen our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land.
Am Yisroel Chai! עם ישראל חי
how do we celebrate purim?
Reading of the Megillah (book of Esther), which recounts the story of the Purim miracle. This is done once on the eve of Purim and then again on the following day.
Want to request a Megillah reading?
Giving money gifts to at least two poor people.
Donate to your favorite charity!
Sponsor a hot meal, provide clothing for a family in need, or support a local organization.
You can also click below to support soldiers in Israel.
Sending gifts of two kinds of food to at least one person.
Send a Shalach Manot to our soldiers on base in Israel, and share the Purim joy!
Click below to learn more about this project.
watch the purim palooza:
what is purim?
Purim is a joyful holiday that commemorates the Divine salvation of the Jewish people from Haman, a Persian tyrant, who planned eradicate the Jewish nation. It is celebrated with Megillah readings, gifts of food, charity, feasting, and merriment.
the story:
(in short)
The Persian Empire of the 4th century BCE extended over 127 lands, and all the Jews were its subjects. When King Ahasuerus had his wife, Queen Vashti, executed for failing to follow his orders, he arranged a beauty pageant to find a new queen. A Jewish girl, Esther, found favor in his eyes and became the new queen, though she refused to divulge her nationality.
Meanwhile, the Jew-hating Haman was appointed prime minister of the empire. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews (and Esther’s cousin), defied the king’s orders and refused to bow to Haman. Haman was incensed, and he convinced the king to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews on the 13th of Adar, a date chosen by a lottery Haman made.
Mordechai galvanized all the Jews, convincing them to repent, fast and pray to G‑d. Meanwhile, Esther asked the king and Haman to join her for a feast. At a subsequent feast, Esther revealed to the king her Jewish identity.
Haman was hanged, Mordechai was appointed prime minister in his stead, and a new decree was issued, granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies.
On the 13th of Adar, the Jews mobilized and killed many of their enemies. On the 14th of Adar, they rested and celebrated. In the capital city of Shushan, they took one more day to finish the job.
Courtesy of chabad.org
Want to read the full Megillah text?
did you know...
why is it called purim?
Purim means “lots” in ancient Persian. The holiday was thus named since Haman had thrown lots to determine when he would carry out his diabolical scheme. You can pronounce this name many ways. In Eastern tradition, it is called poo-REEM.
Among Westerners, it is often called PUH-rim. Some Central-European communities even call it PEE-rim. (WARNING: Calling this holiday PYOO-rim—as English speakers are sometimes wont to do—is a surefire newbie cover-blower.)
purim is about unity
One of the themes of Purim is friendship and unity. When Haman asked King Ahasuerus for permission to destroy the Jews, he said "There is a certain people who are scattered and separate…" In contrast, Queen Esther knew that Jewish unity was essential when praying for G‑d's help. She instructed Mordechai to "Go, assemble together all the Jews" for fasting and prayer. G‑d is our father, and He loves nothing more than seeing His children unified. When we are united, we merit G‑d's blessing and salvation. We give gifts of food on Purim to strengthen our bonds of friendship with our fellow Jews.