Purim

Purim is a joyful festival celebrating Jewish survival and resilience. Jews retell the story of Esther and Mordecai – and honour the dramatic reversal of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jewish people – through readings, plays, costumes and acts of kindness.

Purim (meaning ‘lots’) is celebrated on 14 Adar in the Hebrew calendar, typically falling in February or March.

The name refers to the casting of lots by Haman, the villain of the Book of Esther, to determine the date on which he planned to annihilate the Jewish people. Purim commemorates the dramatic reversal of that decree – thanks largely to its heroes Mordecai and Esther – and has therefore become a celebration of Jewish survival and continuity throughout history.

Purim traditions include:

• Listening to the reading of the Book of Esther, the Megillah, in a local Progressive Jewish community. Congregations may chant the entire scroll in Hebrew or read from a translation. The reading is accompanied by noise-making whenever Haman’s name is mentioned.
• Attending or taking part in a Purim Spiel at a local Progressive Jewish community. These are a humorous and theatrical way to tell the story of Purim – often as a parody of a well-known film or TV show. The aim is to bring this ancient narrative to life in a way that engages people of all ages.
• Mishloach Manot and Matanot La’Evyonim – the mitzvah of sending gifts of food to friends and giving to those in need – are explicitly mentioned in the Megillah. Families and communities prepare packages of treats to share, ensuring that the joy of Purim reaches the most vulnerable.
• Dressing up as characters from the Purim story or other well-known figures, a tradition that reflects the hidden identities and dramatic reversals that define the festival’s narrative.
• Eating Hamantaschen – triangular pastries, filled with poppy seeds, jam, or chocolate – that are said to resemble Haman’s ears, or his pockets.

Purim is unique among Jewish holidays. Firstly, The Book of Esther is the only Biblical text where God is not mentioned.

Secondly, like Chanukah, Purim is considered a minor festival in traditional Jewish law, but its emotional and cultural resonance has elevated it to major significance – especially in light of Jewish historical experiences of persecution and survival.

In the early years of Reform and Liberal Judaism, Purim was sometimes downplayed or even removed from the liturgical calendar, partly due to discomfort with the violent revenge at the end of the Book of Esther.

Whilst some communities use Purim to reflect on this difficult conclusion many have simply reclaimed Purim as a powerful expression of Jewish joy, gratitude and continuity.

If you want to experience Purim in a welcoming, inclusive, and egalitarian setting, we’d love to welcome you into one of our Progressive congregations.