Purim (Continued) -פורים

Haman thought the King was referring to him. He suggested that the man be carried on one of the King’s horses throughout the town, dressed in fine clothes, with an attendant shouting out, “Here’s how the King treats those who he wishes to honour”. The King told Haman to carry out this honour for Mordecai. So instead of hanging Mordecai, Haman was forced take Mordecai through the town on one of the King’s horses.

At the second feast that night, Esther told the King that she was Jewish and that because of Haman, she and her people were about to be killed. The King, furious at Haman, walked out of the room in order to calm down. When he returned, he saw that Haman had fallen onto Queen Esther’s couch. The King thought that Haman was trying to attack Queen Esther, when actually, Haman was pleading for his life. The King was so angry, that he had Haman hanged on the gallows that had been built for Mordecai. Mordecai was then made Prime Minister.

Unfortunately, the King was unable to reverse Haman’s rule that the Jews could be killed on 13 Adar. However, Mordecai was able to rule that the Jews could defend themselves. The Jews were successful in defending themselves and thanks to Queen Esther and Mordecai, the Jewish people survived. That is why we celebrate Purim.

Purim is not just an occasion to think about the saving of the Jews. It is a story of good and evil and, therefore, it is a good time to think about ourselves and what we are like as people. All of us have our nice side, but also a side that is not always so nice. Purim is a time to accept that we have both sides to our characters, not so the not so nice sides can run wild, but so that we know they are there as part of us, but we can learn to control them.
Traditions:

Reading the Book of Esther out loud – the whole Megillah (a scroll wrapped round a single post of wood, unlike the Torah, which is five books of the bible wrapped around two posts of wood).
Each time the name Haman is mentioned, it is traditional to make a loud noise, usually with a grogger, which clicks loudly as it is spun. We also cheer when we hear the names of Esther and Mordecai mentioned.
Being festive and rejoicing by wearing fancy dress and having a Purim party. We are supposed to have such a great time and get so carried away that we forget the difference between Arur Haman (cursed is Haman) and Baruch Mordecai!! (blessed is Mordecai).
Giving gifts of fruit and sweets, called Shalach Manot.
Offering gifts to the poor.
Eating Hamantaschen (literally translated means Haman’s pockets, but we refer to them as Haman’s ears). They are triangular cookies, traditionally filled with a sweet poppyseed filling, though other sweet fillings can be used. In this way, we turn something bitter into something sweet.

References:

Black, N.(Ed.) (1989) Celebration – The Book of Jewish Festivals, Jonathan David Publishers, Inc. New York.
Falcon PhD, Rabbi T. and Blatner, D. (2001) Judaism for Dummies, Hungry Minds, New York.
www.chabad.org/holidays