Teaching Team
eRosh: Purim and Shushan Purim
The celebration of Purim and Shushan Purim occurs this year on 14-15 Adar II 5768 (Friday March 21-Shabbat March 22, 2008).
The events of the Purim story as found in the book of Esther occured over a period of several years beginning in 369 BCE with Ahasuerus’ ascent to the throne and culminating with the decree to celebrate Purim in 355 BCE. The Purim celebration in the days of Esther and Mordechai occured on 14 Adar and in Shushan on 15 Adar in the year 356 BCE.
Several customs are observed in honor of the Purim victory. One custom is the reading of the Megillah, the book of Esther. The Megillah is read on the eve of Purim as well as during the Shacharit service (morning prayers) the following morning (men should wear tefillin during the reading of the Megillah during the morning service). If a group is gathered to read the Megillah, one person may read and recite the appropriate blessing on behalf of the others who listen intently. However, during the reading of the Megillah, there are 4 verses that everyone reads aloud: Esther 2:5, 8:15, 8:16, and 10:3. After the entire group reads each of the respective verses aloud, the one reading the entire Megillah on behalf of the entire group repeats these verses.During the reading of the Megillah it is customary to make noise when Haman’s name is read; this is done when Haman’s name is accompanied by a descriptive phrase (e.g. “Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite,” v.3:1, or “this wicked Haman,” v. 7:6) Also during the reading, the names of Haman’s ten sons (9:7-9) should be read in one breath by the entire group in attendence and then repeated by the reader (this includes the words in v.6, “five hundred men” and the words “the ten” in 9:10). The Megillah is rustled during the reading of the words “this letter” in 9:26 and during the words “letter of Purim” in 9:29.
Another special custom is the giving of gifts to the poor (it is customary to give gifts of money to at least two people) and food to those in need (this is usually done in the form of two ready to eat meals to at least one friend). Another custom is the eating of a special festive meal in celebration of Purim.
Also, during the daily prayers, the V’al HaNissim prayer is added during the Amidah and Grace After Meals (the prayer begins with the words “And for the miracles…”)
The battles fought between the Jews and their enemies lasted for two days (on both the 13th and 14th of Adar) in the city of Shushan (translated as Susa in most English translations); victory was obtained on the 15th of Adar. Therefore, they celebrated the 15th of Adar as well (see Esther 9:18); this celebration is known as Shushan Purim. Thus, in the city of Shushan and in all cities that were walled in ancient times (e.g. Jerusalem), the 15th of Adar is celebrated as well. All others who do live in towns that were not walled in ancient times only observe Purim on the 14th of Adar (see Esther 9:19).
Since Shushan Purim occurs on Shabbat this year, a number of customs cannot be observed (such as giving money). Therefore, for those who live in ancient walled cities and observe Shushan Purim, the customs are celebrated over a period of three days. The Megillah and giving to the poor is done on 14 Adar II (Purim, Friday March 21). The addition to the prayers (v’al hanissim) is added on 14 and 15 Adar II (Friday and Shabbat, March 21-22). Sending gifts of food as well as the festive meal of Purim are observed on 16 Adar II (Sunday, March 23).
Get your free printable PDF calendar page via email before each Rosh Chodesh! Join Myffoz now. It’s free.
Our monthly eRosh includes a fresh Torah teaching, current events, and important dates in bible history. Plus there’s fun study activities for Torah Kids and Torah Teens. Join Myffoz.org for this and other free teaching resources. Myffoz membership is like a free key that opens the online door to an ever-growing treasure vault of email resources, keyword-searchable bible study helps and articles. Click here to join now. It’s free, quick and easy.
(Credit: Brian R. Volunteer/ Researcher)
Search in Blogs...
Browse through Blogs
Feeds
Use this RSS feed to track our blogs in your favorite reader.
The FFOZ Blogs RSS Feed
Blogs by Category
- Back Office
- Events and Administration
- Founder’s Blog
- Guest Authors
- Lessons from the Land
- Levertoff Documentary
- Mishlei Musings
- Publications
- Road Trip 09
- Shalom Tour
- Teaching Team
- The Siddur Project
- Torah Club
- Video Blogs
- Site Info Blog
Blogs by Author
- Aaron Eby
- Boaz Michael
- D. Thomas Lancaster
- FFOZ Staff
- Guest Authors
- Media Staff
- Hope Egan
- Seth Dralle
- Toby Janicki
More Recent Posts
- Remembrance and Repentance
- Passover and the Death of James the Just
- Hosting Your First Passover Seder
- Devil's Children
- Vacation Time
- Visit Israel with FFOZ
- A KISS from me to you
- Eating biblically? Let's chew the fat.
- Kosher Sunday School
- Messer and the Messianic Mess
Visitor Feedback:
A Christian friend of mine has been asking questions about Purim, and said that Mordecai and Esther sinned by her going to be with the king when she wasn't married to him. I don't know how to respond. I know G-d can use anyone, and we are all sinners. And I don't think that it takes anything away from Purim if what they did was indeed considered sin. But I would like to have an answer that is correct. Any thoughts? Thanks.
**Toby's Response:** That is a great question. I looked up the verse and it doesn't explicitly say she had relations with the king:
“Now when the turn of each young lady came to go in to King Ahasuerus.” (Esther 2:12)
The Jewish Publication society says that the phrase in Hebrew “to go in” has sexual overtones. But of Esther we read:
The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Esther 2:17)
According the Sages, the King pronounced her queen immediately upon seeing her before they had relations. That’s one answer.
Laura Whelchel | March 20, 2008 1:36 PM
Scripture says that Purim is to be celebrated in the 12th month...this year, March coincides with the 13th month. I think Scripture, not tradition should dictate the celebration. Why is tradition taught as truth?
**Toby's Response:** When there is a leap year it is celebrated in the thirteenth month. For more info check out this blog:
http://ffoz.org/blogs/2008/02/erosh_blog_the_birth_and_death_1.html
Gayla | March 24, 2008 8:45 PM
Just don't understand why Christians like to twist the deeds of the Jewish people from history to now. Don't they ever know that their beloved Saviour is a Jew, the King of the Jews. I am a Christian myself, I am not a Jew but I love the Land of Israel, its People and its Scriptures. I absolutely applaud FFOZ for their good works in bringing Messiah-Centered Christians back to the Jewish Roots and ancient understanding.
Baruch HaShem, Baruch Yeshua!
Thomas Ho
Thomas Ho | March 26, 2008 2:27 AM