Purim is a wonderful holiday celebrated in the month of Adar, which according to the Jewish calendar is the last month in the year. This is because the first month is considered to be Nissan, the month in which Passover falls and the month when the Jewish people became a nation, when they left Egypt during the Exodus. But enough about Passover. Let’s get back to Purim. This holiday is quite special. First of all, it commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from destruction at the hands of their enemies when they were living in exile in the Persian Empire. The entire story is recounted in the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther) which is read aloud in synagogues throughout the world this year on Saturday night, February 27th, and again on Sunday morning, February 28th. During the reading children and adults alike go wild at the mention of the name of the story’s villain, Haman, and shout, boo, scream, whistle and shake noisemakers which are also known as grogers. As you might imagine, this custom appeals to all children (except for very young ones who might be afraid of all the noise) as well as the rowdier adults among us. It is a remarkable contrast to the usual respect and decorum shown in the synagogue the rest of the year and is only one of the ways Purim distinguishes itself as unique among Jewish holidays.
