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Klezmer Greetings Purim Personalized Greeting Cards, Pkg of 3 |
Child: What holiday are we celebrating
today, Ima (Mother)?
Mother: The one where they tried to
kill us and failed. Now, let’s eat!
Of course, the very thing that makes
most jokes funny is the kernel of truth at their foundation. Purim is
one of the holidays containing that very kernel of truth.
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Judaic Star of David Gift Tag Great for Purim Gifts |
In short, the story itself has four
main characters:
- Ahashverosh – The Persian King, living in his capital city Shushan. He isn’t a bad man, just easily swayed by others
- Mordechai – The leader of the Jewish people at that time. Helps save Ahashverosh’s life by uncovering an assassination plot. Later slated for death, but rescued by:
- Esther (Persian name)/Hadassah (Hebrew name) – Mordechai’s niece who is chosen to marry Ahashverosh after he has his original wife, Vashti, is killed for refusing to dance (supposedly naked) in front of revelers at his lengthy (180 days) party.
- Haman – The true villain of the story is Ahashverosh’s Prime Minister, who tries and fails to have Mordechai and the Jewish people killed
Purim Kippah or Yarmulke
You can glean most of the story from
above. In the end, Esther/Hadassah begs Ahashverosh to save her life
and the lives of her people. Of course there are twists and turns to
the story. But, in the end, the Jewish people triumph, Haman and his
sons are killed, and Mordechai becomes the new Prime Minister to
Ahashverosh. You can read the story with more details here:
http://www.purimstory.com/
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Purim Card from Original Watercolor Pen and Ink drawing |
Purim itself is a joyful holiday filled
with costumes, noisemakers, gifts of food, charitable giving and, of
course, feasting. The representative food for Purim is a triangular
shaped pastry with fruit, poppyseed, or nut fillings called
Hamantaschen, named for Haman and representing the
three-cornered hat he wore as Prime Minister.
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Purim Earrings - Purple Hamentaschen Charm Earrings |
During Purim people make plates of
goodies and deliver them to neighbors and friends. This is known as
mishloach manot (sending of portions). Additionally, it is
customary to make a charitable donation to the poor.
Finally, the holiday involves a festive
meal with eating and drinking – celebrating one more victory in the
history of the Jewish people.
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Purim Judaica mixed media collage Simchat Purim - Happy Purim |
