Purim: The Story Behind the Holiday
Purim 🎭 will begin this year on the evening of March 13 and continue throughout March 14. This holiday commemorates the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire over 2,400 years ago, during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Artaxerxes). The name “Purim” comes from the word pur, meaning “lot”—a reference to the lot cast by Haman, the king’s advisor, to determine the date—13th of Adar—on which the Jews of Persia were to be annihilated. But why the Jews specifically? Here’s how it all happened…
By decree, everyone was required to bow before this arrogant official. But near the palace, he constantly encountered Mordechai, a relative of the queen, who refused to kneel. Jews, after all, bow only before God.
Enraged, Haman went to the king and reported: “There is a people in your kingdom who are proud and disobedient, who refuse to show respect to those in power. Grant permission for them to be eliminated on the appointed day, and let their wealth be taken as spoils. In return, I will personally contribute 10,000 talents of silver to the royal treasury.” Without hesitation, Ahasuerus signed the decree, indifferent to the word “Jews,” unaware that his own beautiful wife, Esther, was one of them. Meanwhile, Mordechai spent his days outside the palace gates, keeping his promise to his adopted daughter. The young queen, far from home, felt lonely and afraid.
One night, Mordechai overheard two palace guards plotting to assassinate the king. He immediately reported them, and they were captured. His deed was recorded in the royal chronicles but was soon forgotten.
Some time later, the king had a sleepless night and asked for the chronicles to be read to him. Upon discovering that his savior had never been rewarded, he summoned Haman and asked how one should honor a man whom the king wishes to reward. Assuming the king was referring to him, Haman suggested a lavish display: dressing the man in royal robes, placing him on a fine horse, and parading him through the city while proclaiming, “Thus shall be done for the man whom the king wishes to honor!”
The king agreed—and ordered Haman to do exactly that for Mordechai. Furious, Haman could only comply, though he had already prepared the gallows to hang Mordechai on the 13th of Adar.
Meanwhile, Mordechai urged Esther to act. She invited the king—and Haman—to a banquet. The feast pleased Ahasuerus so much that he promised to grant Esther any request. Falling at his feet, she begged him to revoke the decree of destruction against the Jews. The king, enraged, stepped out into the palace garden to think. When he returned, he found Haman at Esther’s couch, pleading for his life. Seizing the moment, Ahasuerus accused Haman of assaulting the queen and ordered him to be hanged—on the very gallows Haman had prepared for Mordechai.
But royal decrees could not be revoked. Instead, the king issued a new one: the Jews were granted the right not only to defend themselves on the appointed day but also to strike back against their enemies and seize their possessions. Thus, Haman’s wicked scheme turned against him and those who had sought the Jews’ destruction.
Since then, the two days following this date have been celebrated with joy and feasting. Jewish communities hold theatrical performances and costume parades, and it is customary to send festive gifts to friends. Small triangular pastries filled with jam, called oznei Haman (“Haman’s ears”) or hamantaschen in Yiddish, are traditionally baked. While Jewish tradition generally promotes moderation with alcohol, the Talmud states that on Purim, one should drink to the point where they “cannot distinguish between cursed be Haman and blessed be Mordechai.”
The day before Purim, on the 13th of Adar, is observed as a fast known as Ta’anit Esther (the Fast of Esther). On the evening of Purim and the following day, the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther) is read in synagogues. Each time Haman’s name is mentioned, congregants use noisemakers (rashanim) to symbolically “blot out” his name.
In cities that were fortified during the events described in the Scroll of Esther—such as ancient Shushan—Purim is celebrated a day later, on the 15th of Adar. Today, this applies only to Jerusalem, where the holiday is known as Shushan Purim.
In a leap year according to the Jewish calendar (which occurs seven times in a 19-year cycle), an extra month of Adar is added. In such years, Purim is celebrated in the second Adar, while the first Adar hosts a more modest observance called Purim Katan (“Little Purim”), without the religious obligations of reading the Megillah or giving charity.