Fast of Esther
 Haman's "Final Solution" was scheduled for the 13th of Adar. Instead, Haman was hanged, and by royal decree the Jews mobilized in self-defense and successfully defended themselves against all attacks. On the next day, the 14th of Adar, the Jews rested, savored their miraculous salvation, and established the holiday of Purim.
Whenever in peril, we are commanded to institute a fast day to repent, pray, and ask for Divine mercy. Thus the 13th of Adar, the day of battle, was a day of fasting.
Earlier in the Purim narrative, Esther risked her life by appearing before the king without permission. But first she asked the Jews to fast with her for three days.
Whenever in peril, we are commanded to institute a fast day to evoke Divine mercy. We commemorate these fasts every year by fasting on the day before Purim, a fast which is called Ta'anit Esther (the Fast of Esther).
Fasting is simple. If you are healthy and over the age of bar or bat mitzvah, don't eat or drink from dawn until after the Megillah reading on Purim night.
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Purim - The Fun Holiday
 Purim, celebrated on the 14th of Adar, is the wildest, most action-packed day of the Jewish year. 2400 years ago, Haman, the Persian prime-minister, persuaded King Ahasuerus to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews, rallied his people, urging them to unite in prayer and repentance. Meanwhile, his cousin Esther, who due to a miraculous chain of events was Ahasuerus' queen, lobbied the king to spare her people. Ahasuerus acceded to her request, Haman was sent to the gallows, Mordechai became new prime-minister, the Jews successfully defended themselves against their enemies, and... we celebrate!
Though we dress up in holiday finery, Purim doesn't feature holiday work restrictions. Nonetheless, all the better if you can take the day off from work and focus on the holiday and its mitzvot.
Note: If you are spending Purim in Jerusalem, the laws vary, check with a Rabbi for details. |
$how $ome Care
 One of Purim's primary themes is Jewish unity. Haman tried to kill us all, we were all in danger together. Hence, on Purim day we place special emphasis on caring for the less fortunate.
Give money or food, "matanot la'evyonim," to at least two needy people during the daylight hours of Purim. In case you can't find any needy people, The Shul will be collecting money for this purpose. At least, place two coins in a charity box earmarked for the poor.
On Purim we give a donation to whoever asks.
As with the other mitzvot of Purim, even small children should fulfill this mitzvah. |
Be Grateful
On Purim, we include the brief V'al Hanissim section in all the day's prayers, as well as in the day's Grace after Meals. This prayer describes the Purim story and thanks G d for the "miracles, redemptions, mighty deeds, saving acts and wonders" that He wrought for our ancestors on this day many years ago.
In the morning service there is a special Torah reading (Exodus 17:8-16), describing the battle Joshua waged against Amalek - Haman's ancestral nation - almost one thousand years before the Purim events unfolded. | |
Shekalim
When the HolyTemple stood in Jerusalem, each Jew contributed an annual half-shekel to the Temple.
We too give a commemorative half shekel to charity-on the Fast of Esther.
The Shekalim reading is also related to the upcoming holiday of Purim. According to the Talmud, Haman's decree was averted in merit of the mitzvah of machatzit hashekel.
It is customary to give three coins for every family member in "half denomination" (e.g., the half-dollar coins) to charity on the afternoon of the Fast of Esther, before minchah (the afternoon prayer services). This commemorates the three contributions the Jews gave for the building of the Tabernacle and its sacrifices.
If you didn't manage to give machatzit hashekel before mincha, you can do so afterwards, or before the Megillah reading on Purim night or morning.
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Listen Up!
 Megillah, a.k.a. "The Book of Esther," is the scroll that tells the Purim story. Listen to the public reading twice: once Purim Night and again on Purim Day. This year, that's Monday night, March 9, 2009, and Purim day, March 10, 2009. Pay attention-it is crucial to hear every word.
When Haman's name is mentioned in the reading, children twirl graggers (noisemakers) and adults stamp their feet to eradicate his evil name. Tell your kids that Purim is the only time when it's a mitzvah to make noise!
The Megillah is read by a professional from a handwritten parchment scroll, using an age-old tune. Contact us if for any reason you can't make it to The Shul for the Megillah reading. Will do his best to send a Megillah reader to your home or office. |
Say it with food
 On Purim we emphasize the importance of friendship and community by sending gifts of food, mishloach manot, to friends.
Send a package containing at least two different ready-to-eat food items and/or beverages (e.g., pastry, fruit, beverage), to at least one Jewish acquaintance during the daylight hours of Purim. Men send to men and women to women.
It is preferable that the gifts are delivered via a third party. Children, in addition to sending their own gifts of food to their friends, make enthusiastic messengers.
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Feast!
 Last but certainly not least, during the course of Purim day, gather your family, maybe invite a guest or two, and celebrate with a festive Purim meal. Traditionally, this meal begins shortly before sundown and lasts well into the evening.
The table should be festively bedecked with nice tablecloth and candles. Wash for bread or challah, andenjoy a meal featuring meat, wine, and plenty of Jewish songs, words of Torah, and joyous Purim spirit. Sing, laugh, have fun together.
Note: When Purim falls on a Friday, out of deference for the approaching Shabbat we start the meal earlier, ideally before midday.
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