JUDAISM 101:  PURIM

    Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar.  It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination.

    The story of Purim is told in the Biblical Book of Esther.  The heroes of the story are Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman living in Persia, and her cousin Mordecai, who raised her as if she were his daughter.  Esther was taken to the house of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, to become part of his harem.  King Ahasuerus loved Esther more than his other women and made Esther queen, but the king did not know that Esther was a Jew, because Mordecai told her not to reveal her identity.

    The villain of the story is Haman, an arrogant, egotistical advisor to the king.  Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, so Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people.  In a speech that is all too familiar to Jews, Haman told the king (Esther 3:7):  "There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your realm.  Their laws are different from those of every other people's, and they do not observe the king's laws;  therefore it is not befitting the king to tolerate them."   The king gave the fate of the Jewish people to Haman, to do as he pleased to them.  Haman planned to exterminate all of the Jews.

    Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people.  This was a dangerous thing for Esther to do, because anyone who came into the king's presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned.   Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself, then went into the king;  he welcomed her.  Later, she told him of Haman's plot against her people.  The Jewish people were saved, and Haman was hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai. 

    Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar, which is usually in March.  The word "Purim" means "lots" and refers to the lottery that Haman used to choose the date for the massacre.

    The primary commandment related to Purim is to hear the reading of the Book of Esther.  The Book of Esther is commonly known as the Megillah, which means scroll.  It is customary to boo, hiss, stamp feet and rattle gragers (noisemakers) whenever the name of Haman is mentioned in the service.  The purpose of this custom is to "blot out the name of Haman."

    We are also commanded to eat, drink and be merry.  In addition, we are commanded to send out gifts of food or drink, and to make gifts to charity.  Among Ashkenazic Jews, a common treat at this time of year is hamentaschen, triangular fruit-filled cookies that are supposed to represent Haman's three-cornered hat.

    It is customary to hold carnival-like celebrations on Purim, and to perform plays and parodies.  Some Americans refer to Purim as the Jewish Mardi Gras.

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Introducing The Beth Judea Gift Card Program

We are pleased to introduce an easy way to support Beth Judea by offering you the opportunity to purchase gift cards to your favorite grocers, restaurants, retailers, hotels and home service companies directly from Beth Judea.  And the best part is a percentage of your cards purchased are automatically donated back to the synagogue.  Give them as gifts or buy them for yourself. How many times during the year do you purchase gift cards for birthdays, anniversaries, B'nai Mitzvot, showers, weddings, babies, teachers or holidays?  All of us purchase groceries, eat out or bring in from restaurants, and shop at retailers.  Think of Beth Judea as your 1 Stop Shop for all your gift card needs and at the same time doing your part to financially support the synagogue.  Either way, you are being a Mensch with your money. 

Here's how it works:

     ·  Look over the list of participating restaurants you

        already eat at, grocers and retailers you already shop

        at, hotels you already stay at and home services you

        already use in the enclosed brochure.

·  Indicate the number of gift cards you want to purchase. (Note denominations differ.) Then total up the amount.

·  Fill in your desired payment method-check or credit card. We will accept Visa or MasterCard with a minimum purchase of $50

·  Mail, or fax your order to the synagogue.

·  Orders placed by 3:00 Friday will be available to be picked up at the synagogue the following Wednesday.

Remember, it is better to give than receive. However, it is best to give and receive. And always be a Mensch with your money.