PURIM

The holiday of Purim is approaching. This year it will be on 7th and 8th of March. So this post will be about Purim.

The beginning and the source of this holiday is the Book of Eshter where, as you surely remember, Jews are saved through the intervention of Eshter, the wife of emperor Achashwerosh, from being murdered. And the initiator of this massacre and the evil spirit of the time, Hamman, is punished and his life is ended upon the very scuffold he had arranged to build for Mordechai, the Jew he hated most.

It is a very joyful holiday as it is in memory of miracle that saved Jews. Children (and adults sometimes too) get dressed up - similiarly to kids on Halloween in Ireland or all people on the end of carnival in Venice. It is allowed to drink more than regular portion of wine (in fact in some ortodox circles it is said that you should get drunk this one night). People dance, sing and enjoy themselves.

It is also a reminder that God is always protecting His people and it brings about the words from Genesis "I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you".

The book of Eshter is the only one in the Bible where God's name is hidden - it doesn't appear even once. But He is acting from behind and He has a plan to save His chosen people. It is a lesson that even when things look harsh and terrifying He is there for us, in control, "He who gardeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps".

During Purim it is important, more even than on everyday basis, to help those in need. Thus many people provide for their neighbours in need.
Below is the link for those of you who would like to - to the possibility of helping needy for Purim this year.

bring joy this Purim to terror victims

And to all of you I would like to say: Shabbat Shalom!