Purim

Purim (Hebrew: פּוּרִים , lit. 'lots') is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people by Queen Esther from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman, as it is recounted in the Book of Esther. According to the Book of Esther, Haman was the royal vizier to the Persian king Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I or Artaxerxes I; Khshayarsha and Artakhsher in Old Persian, respectively). His plans were foiled by Mordecai of the tribe of Benjamin, who previously warned the king about an assassination attempt, and Esther, Mordecai's cousin and adopted daughter who had become queen of Persia after her marriage to Ahasuerus. The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and rejoicing among Jews. Although the Book of Esther is traditionally viewed as a historical document, modern scholarship generally regards it as a historical novel with legendary elements, not a reliable account of Purim’s origins. According to the Scroll of Esther, "they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor". Purim is celebrated among Jews by: Exchanging gifts of food and drink, known as mishloach manot Donating charity to the poor, known as mattanot la-evyonim Eating a celebratory meal with alcoholic beverages, known as se'udat Purim or "Mishteh" Public recitation of the Scroll of Esther (קריאת מגילת אסתר kriat megillat Esther), or "reading of the Megillah", usually in synagogue Reciting additions to the daily prayers and the grace after meals, known as Al HaNissim Applying henna (Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews) Other customs include wearing masks and costumes, public celebrations and parades (Adloyada), eating hamantashen (transl. "Haman's pockets"), and drinking wine. According to the Hebrew calendar, Purim is celebrated annually on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of...