PURIM
Purim celebrates Hebrew Esther's victory over anti-Semitic Haman.
Purim is NOT a Sabbath and is NOT a High Holy Day!
PURIM, the Feast of Esther and the Festival Of Lots, is not a God-established, God-ordained Feast / Festival. PURIM is not mentioned in Tanakh, the Hebrew's Holy Scriptures (The Old Testament, in Christian Bibles), and it is not even mentioned in the historical Book Of Esther. For, following Shemini Atzeret in early fall, the next Holy Day on God's calendar is the next Passover, six months later, in the following spring, a month after PURIM.
This means that both Simchat Torah and Hanukkah (Chanukah), along with PURIM, are NOT Biblical holy days, they are not God-established, and they are not God-ordained. PURIM is a later-established celebration to commemorate a feast and subsequent victorious events recorded in The Book Of Esther.
Since PURIM could fall on any day of the week, other than when on Saturday (a routine, weekly, Sabbath) there is no special, God-ordained "Holy-Day" or Sabbath on PURIM because PURIM is a tradition-based celebration instituted by men, not by God.
The three High Holy Days established by God are:
1 - The first day of the Feast Of Unleavened Bread (Chag Ha Matzoh) - 15 Nisan - The day after The Passover.
2 - Pentecost (Shavu'ot) - On a Sunday, very late in spring, fifty days from the first Sunday following (after) The Passover.
3 - The first day of the Feast Of Tabernacles (Sukk'ot) - 15 Tishri - Five days after Yom Kippur and fifteen days after Rosh haShanah.
These three God-ordained High Holy Days are Annual High Sabbaths, "Pilgrimage" Sabbaths.
On God's ecclesiastical calendar, there are no OTHER High Holy Days!
About which, see: Ex. 23:14-17 --- Lev. Chapter 23 --- Deu. 16:16
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Purim Traditions
Purim celebrates a victory over those who sought to bring about destruction of all ethnic Hebrews throughout the entire Middle-Eastern, Persian empire around BCE 368 - 354. It is a victory of people over hatred and violence to others and an example of trusting HaShem (The God of Abraham) to make that victory happen.
Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar, which is on the day after the great battle recorded in the Book Of Esther.
In all walled cities today, including Jerusalem, Purim is celebrated on the 15th day because the Jews in Esther's day had to defend the walled Persian city of Shushan on the 14th day and could not celebrate a victory until the 15th day.
When Did These Historical Events Occur?
First Purim celebration at Shushan 15 Adar 3405The Megillah recorded3406
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* AHASUERUS (Hebrew: commonly transliterated "Achashverosh") is a name used several times in the Hebrew Bible, as well as related legends and apocrypha. The name is generally thought to be equivalent to "Xerxes", both being derived from the original Persian "Khashayar-sha". More Nfo >> Wikipedia >> Ahasuerus |
All events occurred, during a 14 year period, between BCE 368--354
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Purim Customs
In many synagogues it is customary to drink hard liquor on Purim, and Purim is one of only two occasions in the year (the other is Simchat Torah) where public drunkenness is openly tolerated (and encouraged, as on Simchat Torah) as an expression of joy.
Drinking hard liquor is so common during this time, in fact, a traditional source recommends performing the priestly blessing earlier than usual in the service, to make sure the Kohanim are not drunk when the time for the blessing comes. The Bible prohibits Kohanim (descendants of Aaron) from performing the priestly blessing while intoxicated. Because of concern that Kohanim who are not meticulous may imbibe during the festivities associated with the reading of the Megillah and either be unable to fulfill the priestly Mitzvah of performing the Priestly Blessing or break the prohibition on performing it under the influence, the priestly blessing was moved to before the time when alcohol would be served.
But, the Hebrew's OWN Holy Scriptures prohibit drunkenness in any form, at any time, and by anyone.
Traditionally the Book Of Esther is read out loud at synagogue twice on Purim: once at night and once during the day. The scroll is called a Megillah and it contains the story of Esther. The whole story is read for people to hear. One of the most fun things about the reading is that when the name of Haman is read out, people stamp their feet and make noise (many have Ra-ashanim - noise makers - for this purpose) to drown out the evil name of the villain.
The children, and some adults too, dress up in costumes for Purim. There are contests for the best costume, games, plays and fun for everyone.
Giving gifts of food (Shalach Manot) to friends, family and neighbors is traditional. Fruit, nuts and hamantashen (a Yiddish term for special Purim cookies) are the traditional gifts.
Remembering the poor (Matanot l'evyonim) and giving to those less fortunate then you are is a Mitzvot (a compulsory obligation).
The day before Purim is the fast of Esther. It is a minor fast which lasts from sunrise to nightfall. If it should happen to fall on Shabbat (a routine, weekly, Saturday Sabbath), then the fast of Esther is moved to Friday, a day earlier.
Purim always occurs a month before The Passover. Purim falls in the 12th (last) Hebrew month called Adar, but in a Hebrew leap year a 13th month is added called Adar Sheni (the second Adar) which most often is written as "Adar II". And, in any Hebrew leap year, Purim moves (shifts) to Adar II because that is the "Last" Hebrew month. (As in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2016, etc.)
There are four Mitzvot (requirements) at Purim:
Reading the Book of Esther out loud;
Being joyful, happy, jubilant, festive and rejoicing;
Giving Gifts of special Purim cookies, fruits and nuts;
Offering gifts to the poor.
Purim Torah Reading
During the day-time portion of Purim, in addition to reading the Megillah, Hebrews also read Shemoth 17:8-16 aloud, which tells about their victory over Amalek. The Amalekites were the first nation to challenge the People of Israel after they left Egypt. Even though (with God's help) the Jews eventually won the battle, HaShem (The God of Abraham) promised to erase the memory of Amalek from the Hebrew people because the Amalekites dared to try to destroy the Jews after knowing the miracles that God had performed against the Egyptians.
BUT, interestingly, while HaShem (God) promised to erase the memory of Amalek from the Hebrew people, Orthodox Jews insist on reminding the Hebrews about Amalek, year-after-year, by reading Shemoth 17:8-16 aloud in Shul and Synagogue. And this is just one more example of the many times and ways that Orthodox Jews are in conflict with, or act contrary to, God's instructions and intentions. The Orthodox Jews are at cross-purposes with God.
This is because the story of Purim is a much better example of success than is the "type" of Amalek, this time in the guise of Haman, trying to destroy the People of Israel. On both occasions the Hebrews prevailed, free to survive, prosper and worship HaShem (The God of Abraham), but God's intention was to have Amalek both defeated AND forgotten by the Hebrews. This is one more incidence where today's Orthodox Jews have proven to be openly resistive to God, blatantly oppositional to their OWN Holy Scriptures, and sharply defiant (even bitterly acrimonious) at any hint of correction that is due to indications they are completely WRONG.
WHO are YOU going to believe? God, MAYBE?
This misdirected emphasis gives cause to suspect that Hebrew religious authorities (the Orthodox Jews) have never even read their OWN Holy Scriptures because they give undue precedence to Rabbinical commentaries (Talmud, et. al.) while ignoring the "LAW" (Torah) and their Holy Scriptures (Tanakh).
Among scripturally astute individuals, much amusement is derived from noting the differences between the beliefs and practices (the customs and traditions) of modern-day "cultural" Hebrews as opposed to what The God Of Abraham has revealed to them in their Holy Scriptures.
The Hebrews possess the "Oracles Of God", yet the Hebrews cannot make any sense out of them at all.
For even if Hebrews actually DO read their own Holy Scriptures,
it is obvious that they do not understand what they are reading.
About which, SEE: Second Corinthians 3:14-16
PURIM: A day of celebration not commanded in Torah, but is recorded in Tanakh,
and it is a celebration created by men to honor and remember Biblical events
which occurred in ancient Persia (Book of Esther).
FAST OF ESTHER - 13 Adar
PURIM: Feast of Esther / Festival of Lots - 14 Adar
(14 Adar II - in Hebrew Leap Years)
SHUSHAN PURIM - 15 Adar
