Purim is a great holiday of fun food and festivity for everyone. It is the celebration of a great victory and our
survival as a Jewish people.
Purim occurs on
February 26, 2002 14 Adar 5762
March 18, 2003 14 Adar 5763
March 7, 2004 14 Adar 5765
Purim - Traditions
Purim is celebrated on the day after the great battle in the Book of Esther, which is on the 14th of Adar.
In walled cities, such as Jerusalem, it is celebrated on the 15th because the Jews had to defend the walled city of Shushan for two days.
There are four mitzvot (requirements) at Purim:
Reading the Book of Esther out loud
Being festive and rejoicing
Giving Gifts of fruits and nuts
Offering gifts to the poor
Traditionally, the book of Esther is read out loud at synagogue twice on Purim: once at night and once during the
day. The scroll is called a megillah and it contains the story of Esther. The whole story is read for people to hear. One
of the most fun things about the reading is that when the name of Haman is read out, people stamp their feet and make noise
(many have noise makers for this) to drown out the evil name of the villain.
Many children, and grownups too, dress up in costumes for Purim. There are contests for the best costume, games, plays
and fun for everyone.
Also on this holiday, giving gifts of food (Shalach Manot) to friends, family and neighbors is traditional. Fruit,
nuts and hamantashen are the usual gifts.
It is especially important to remember the poor (Matanot l'evyonim) and give to those less fortunate than you.
The day before Purim is the fast of Esther. It is a minor fast which lasts from sunrise to sunset. If it should happen
to fall on Shabbat, then it is moved to a day earlier.
So, when did this all happen?
Achashverosh becomes king of Persia 3392
Achashverosh's Feast (180 days) 3395
Esther taken to Achashverosh Tevet, 3399
Haman casts lots Nissan, 3404
First decrees dispatched by Haman 13 Nissan 3404
Three days' Fast ordered by Esther 14-16 Nissan 3404
Haman's downfall and execution 17 Nissan 3404
Second decrees, reversing the first 23 Sivan 3404
Haman's ten sons executed 13 Adar 3405
Purim celebration 14 Adar 3405
Purim celebration in Shushan 15 Adar 3405
The Megillah recorded 3406
Purim celebrates a victory over those who sought to bring about our destruction. It is a victory of people over hatred
and violence to others and trusting HaShem to make it possible if we do our part.
Purim Play for Children
Scene 1
Narrator: The setting is the palace of King Ahashverosh. The king is surrounded by his wise men and Haman as he sits
on the throne.
Haman: My king, your decision to do away with your disobedient wife Vashti was very wise. This kingdom offers many
beautiful who desire to prove their worthiness to you and who will submit to your will.
Ahashverosh: Organize a beauty pageant at once so I may choose the fairest woman for my new bride, Ah ... it's good
to be King!
Scene 2
Narrator: Meanwhile in a nearby village ...
Mordecai: My dear niece Esther, your position next to King Ahashverosh as his queen would help our people be aware
of the evil plans towards the Jews. Please sign up for that training course on "How to Marry a Persian King." You can use
me as one of your "lifelines".
Esther: I'll agree to enter the contest. I will do what is necessary for the safety of my people. But, I won't wear
a bikini. I won't tell anyone that I am Jewish.
Scene 3
Narrator: The parade of beauties is held in front of the King. Esther wins hands down! She and the King are married
and Esther is crowned Queen [put crown on Esther ] Later that same day ...
Haman: Your majesty, there are people among us who refuse to bow down to us and are trying to cause the collapse of
your kingdom. They are very dangerous. I feel we must do away with them.
Ahashverosh: [While taking off his ring and giving it to Haman
] You have my permission to kill whoever these people are.
Haman: [with dice, surrounded by his friends] Ok, a one will stand
for Monday and a six for Saturday. [Haman throws the dice] All right, a three - Let the killing of the Jews commence Wednesday.
[Looking at a Jewish calendar] Let's see ... that falls on Purim, the 14th of Adar.
Scene 4
Narrator: Unknown to the King and Haman, Mordecai overhears this conversation and runs to tell Queen Esther. [Setting
is a side room away from the throne]
Mordecai: You must convince the King to stop the war against the Jews. Take him some of those hamantaschen you baked
for last week's Hadassah luncheon.
Esther: It is a very dangerous task you ask of me. I shall pray and fast for three days. [whispers] I hope your plan
works.
Scene 5
Narrator: Following the dinner party, the queen asks for admittance to King Ahashverosh's throne. When he sees his
beautiful Esther, he lowers his scepter to allow her to enter.
Esther: My generous king, I beg of you -- Don't kill the Jews. You would have to kill me as well ... for you see I
am also a Jew. Besides, if you check your Book of Records you will find that my uncle Mordecai -- a Jew-- saved your life.
Scene 6
Narrator: The next day the king receives Haman in his Royal Chamber.
Ahashverosh: You know Haman, I was reading in the Book of Records last night and I saw I never properly thanked the
person who saved my life. What should be done for such a hero?
Haman: Why, I believe he should be allowed to ride your beloved horse throughout Shushan for all to see.
Ahashverosh: Fine. Go fetch a saddle large enough for Mordecai the Jew.
Haman: But ... but ... Surely you jest, sire !
Ahashverosh: Do as I say ... and don't call me Shirley!
Scene 7
Narrator: The battle takes place on Purim day. Under the fearless direction of Mordecai, the Jews are victorious.
Following the victory the King walks over to his men. [Setting is on the outside grounds of the palace]
Ahashverosh: Take Haman to the gallows that he prepared for Mordecai. Haman and his sons are the ones that will hang
from these gallows! Have Esther make some hamentashen for the celebration to follow.
Ahashverosh:
Esther:
Mordecai: [King Ahashverosh, Queen Esther and Mordecai go back to the
palace and Yell] YES !!!
Narrator: And the Jews were respected throughout Persia after the whole Megillah was over.
Purim - Megillah
And it came to pass in the days of Achashverosh the same Achashverosh who ruled from Hodu to Cush, one hundred and
twenty-seven provinces. In those days, when King Achashverosh sat on his royal throne, which was in Shushan the capital, In
the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his ministers and servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles
and all the ministers of the provinces in his service. For many days, one hundred and eighty days, he displayed the glorious
wealth of his kingdom and the splendorous beauty of his majesty. And when these days came to an end, the king made a seven-day
feast in the courtyard of the king's palace garden, for all the people in Shushan the capital, nobleman and commoner alike.
There were hangings of white, green and blue, held by cords of linen and purple wool to silver rods and marble pillars. There
were divans of gold and silver on a floor of alabaster and marble arranged in patterns of rows and circles. Drinks were served
in golden vessels, vessels of assorted design, and the royal wine was in abundance as befitting the king. 8 The drinking was
by the law, without force, for so had the king ordered all the stewards of his household, to comply with each man's wish.
Queen Vashti, too, made a feast for the women in the royal palace of King Achashverosh. On the seventh day, when the
king's heart was merry with wine, he ordered Mehuman, Bizzeta, Charvona, Bigta, Avagta, Zeitar and Charkas, the seven chamberlains
who attended King Achashverosh, to bring Queen Vashti before the king wearing the royal crown, to show her beauty to the nations
and ministers, for she was indeed beautiful. But Queen Vashti refused to appear by the king's order brought by the chamberlains,
and the king grew furious and his wrath seethed within him.
So the king conferred with the sages, those knowledgeable of the times for this was the king's custom, to bring such
matters before those who were versed in every law and statute. Those closest to him were Carshina, Sheitar, Admata, Tarshish,
Meress, Marsina and Memuchan. These were the seven ministers of Persia and Media, who had access to the king and ranked highest
in the kingdom. He asked them: "By law, what should be done with Queen Vashti for failing to obey the order of King Achashverosh,
brought by the chamberlains?"
Memuchan declared before the king and the ministers: "It is not against the King alone that Queen Vashti has sinned,
but against all the ministers and all the nations in all the provinces of King Achashverosh. For word of the queen's deed
will reach all the women and it will belittle their husbands in their eyes. For they will say: 'King Achashverosh commanded
that Queen Vashti be brought before him, yet she did not come!' This very day, the noblewomen of Persia and Media who have
heard of the queen's deed will repeat it to all the King's nobles and there will be much disgrace and anger. If it please
the King, let a royal edict be issued by him, and let it be written into the laws of Persia and Media and let it not be revoked,
that Queen Vashti may never again appear before King Achashverosh, and let the King confer her royal title upon another woman
who is better than she. And the King's decree which he shall proclaim will be heard throughout his kingdom, for it is indeed
significant, and all the women will respect their husbands, nobleman and commoner alike."
The idea pleased the king and the ministers, and the king did as Memuchan had advised. He sent letters to all the
king's provinces to each province in its script and to each nation in its language saying that every man shall be master in
his home and that he speak the language of his nation.
After these events, when King Achashverosh's wrath had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what
had been decreed upon her. So the king's attendants advised: "Let beautiful girls be sought for the King. And let the King
appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, and let them gather every beautiful virgin girl to Shushan the capital,
to the harem, under the charge of Heigai, chamberlain of the King, custodian of the women, and let their cosmetics be provided.
Then let the girl who finds favor in the King's eyes become queen in Vashti's stead." The plan pleased the king and he acted
accordingly.
There was a Jewish man in Shushan the capital, whose name was Mordechai, son of Yair, son of Shim'iy, son of Kish,
a Benjaminite, who had been exiled from Jerusalem with the exiles that had been
exiled along with Jechoniah, King of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, had sent into exile. He had raised his cousin
Hadassah, also called Esther, for she had neither father nor mother. The girl was shapely and beautiful, and when her father
and mother died, Mordechai adopted her as his daughter. Now when the king's order and edict became known, and many girls were
gathered to Shushan the capital under the charge of Heigai, Esther was also taken to the palace under the charge of Heigai,
custodian of the women. The girl found favor in his eyes and won his kindness, so that he hurried to provide her with her
cosmetics and meals, and the seven maids that were to be given her from the palace. He also transferred her and her maids
to the best quarters in the harem. All the while Esther did not divulge her race
or ancestry, for Mordechai had instructed her not to tell. Every day Mordechai would stroll in front of the harem courtyard
to find out how Esther was faring and what would be done with her. Now when each
girl's turn came to go to King Achashverosh, after undergoing the prescribed twelve-month care for women (for only then would
their period of beauty-care be completed: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and women's cosmetics,
with which the girl would appear before the king), she would be provided with whatever she requested to accompany her from
the harem to the palace. In the evening she would go to the king, and in the morning she would return to the second harem,
under the charge of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, custodian of the concubines. She would not go to the king again, unless
the king desired her, whereupon she would be summoned by name.
And when the time came for Esther, daughter of Avichayil uncle of Mordechai, who had taken her as a daughter, to go
to the king, she did not ask for a thing other than that which Heigai, the king's chamberlain, custodian of the women, had
advised. And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her. Esther was taken to King Achashverosh, to his palace, in the
tenth month, which is the month of Tevet, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther more than all the women
and she won his favor and kindness more than all the girls; he placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in Vashti's
stead. Then the king made a grand feast for all his ministers and servants, The Feast of Esther. He lowered taxes for the
provinces and gave presents befitting the king. And when the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordechai was sitting at
the king's gate. Esther would still not divulge her ancestry or race, as Mordechai had instructed her. Indeed, Esther followed
Mordechai's instructions just as she had done while under his care.
In those days, while Mordechai sat at the king's gate, Bigtan and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains from the
threshold guards, became angry and planned to assassinate King Achashverosh. The
matter became known to Mordechai and he informed Queen Esther. Esther then informed the king of it in Mordechai's name. The matter was investigated and found to be true and the two were hanged on the gallows.
It was then recorded in the Book of Chronicles before the king.
After these events, King Achashverosh promoted Haman, son of Hamdata, the Agagite and advanced him; he placed his
seat above all his fellow ministers. All the king's servants at the king's gate kneeled and bowed before Haman, for so had
the king commanded concerning him. But Mordechai would not kneel or bow. The king's servants at the king's gate said to Mordechai,
"Why do you go against the King's command?" Finally, when they had said this
to him day after day and he did not listen to them, they informed Haman to see if Mordechai's words would endure, for he had
told them that he would never bow because he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordechai would not kneel or bow before him, Haman
was filled with wrath. But he thought it contemptible to kill only Mordechai, for they had informed him of Mordechai's nationality.
Haman sought to annihilate all the Jews, Mordechai's people, throughout Achashveirosh's entire kingdom. In the first month,
which is the month of Nissan, in the twelfth year of King Achashverosh's reign, a pur, which is a lot, was cast before Haman,
for every day and every month, and it fell on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
Haman said to King Achashverosh, "There is one nation scattered and dispersed among the nations throughout the provinces
of your kingdom, whose laws are unlike those of any other nation and who do not obey the laws of the King. It is not in the
King's interest to tolerate them. If it please the King, let a law be issued for their destruction, and I will pay ten thousand
silver talents to the functionaries, to be deposited in the King's treasuries."
The king removed his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, son of Hamdata, the Agagite, persecutor of the
Jews. The king said to Haman, "The money is yours to keep, and the nation is yours to do with as you please."
The king's scribes were then summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and all that Haman commanded to the
king's satraps and the governors of each province and to the nobles of each nation was written to each province according
to its script and each nation according to its language. It was written in King Achashveirosh's name and sealed with the king's
signet ring. Letters were sent with couriers to all the provinces of the king: to annihilate, murder and destroy all the Jews,
young and old, children and women, on one day the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar and to plunder
their possessions. Copies of the edict were to be proclaimed as law in every province, clearly to all the nations, so that
they should be ready for that day. The couriers hurried out with the order of the king and the law was proclaimed in Shushan
the capital. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, while the city of Shushan was in turmoil.
Mordechai knew all that had happened, so Mordechai tore his clothes in mourning and put on sackcloth and ash. He went
out into the city crying loudly and bitterly. He went up until the king's gate, for it is improper to enter the king's gate
wearing sackcloth. And in every province, wherever the edict of the king and his law reached, there was great mourning among
the Jews, with fasting, crying and wailing; sackcloth and ash were spread out for the masses. Esther's maids and chamberlains
came and told her about it and the queen was terrified. She sent garments with which to dress Mordechai so that he would remove
his sackcloth from upon him, but he did not accept them. Esther summoned Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains whom he had
placed in her service, and she commanded him to go to Mordechai to find out the meaning of this and what it was about. Hatach
went out to Mordechai, to the city square that was in front of the king's gate. And Mordechai told him about all that had
happened to him and about the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the right to destroy
the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the law that was proclaimed in Shushan calling for their annihilation, to show Esther
and to tell her about it, and to instruct her to go to the king to beseech him and to plead with him on behalf of her nation.
Hatach went and relayed the words of Mordechai to Esther.
Esther told Hatach to relay to Mordechai: "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that
any man or woman who goes to the king and enters the inner courtyard without being summoned, his is but one verdict: execution;
except for the person to whom the king extends his golden scepter only he shall live. And I have not been summoned to come
to the king for thirty days now."
They relayed Esther's words to Mordechai, and Mordechai said to relay to Esther, "Do not think that you will escape
the fate of all the Jews by being in the king's palace. For if you will remain silent at this time, relief and salvation will
come to the Jews from another source, and you and the house of your father will be lost. And who knows if it is not for just
such a time that you reached this royal position."
Esther said to relay to Mordechai: "Go and gather all the Jews who are in Shushan and fast for my sake, do not eat
and do not drink for three days, night and day. My maids and I shall also fast in the same way. Then I shall go to the king,
though it is unlawful, and if I perish, I perish."
Mordechai then left and did all that Esther had instructed him.
On the third day Esther donned garments of royalty and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace, facing the palace.
The king was sitting on his royal throne in the palace facing the palace entrance. When the king saw Queen Esther standing
in the courtyard she found favor in his eyes. The king extended to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand and Esther
approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
The king said to her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even if it be half the kingdom, it will be
granted you."
Esther said, "If it please the King, let the King and Haman come today to the feast that I have prepared for him."
The king said, "Tell Haman to hurry and fulfill Esther's bidding." And the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther
had prepared.
At the wine feast, the king said to Esther, "What is your plea? It will be granted you; what is your request? Even
if it be half the kingdom it shall be fulfilled."
So Esther replied and said, "My plea and my request: If I have found
favor in the King's eyes, and if it please the King to grant my plea and fulfill my request, let the King and Haman come to
the feast that I shall prepare for them, and tomorrow I shall fulfill the King's bidding."
That day Haman left happy and content. But when Haman saw Mordechai at the king's gate and Mordechai neither rose
nor trembled before him, Haman was filled with wrath against Mordechai. Haman restrained himself and went to his house and
sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh. Haman told them of his glorious wealth and his many sons, and all about how the
king had promoted and raised him above all the king's ministers and servants.
Then Haman said: "In addition, along with the king, Queen Esther invited only me to the feast that she prepared. Tomorrow,
too, I am invited to her feast along with the king. Yet all this is worthless to me whenever I see Mordechai the Jew sitting
at the king's gate!"
Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have gallows erected fifty cubits high, and tomorrow tell the
king to have Mordechai hanged on it. Then you will be able to go in good spirits with the king to the feast." Haman was pleased
with the idea and erected the gallows.
That night, the king's sleep was disturbed. He ordered that the Book of Records, the Chronicles, be brought, and they
were read before the king. It was found written that Mordechai had informed on Bigtan and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains
from the threshold guards, who had planned to assassinate King Achashverosh.
The king asked, "What splendor and honor has been accorded to Mordechai for this?"
"Nothing was done for him," the king's attendants replied.
"Who is in the courtyard?" asked the king. And just then Haman had come to the outer courtyard of the king's chambers
to tell the king to hang Mordechai on the gallows he had prepared for him.
"Haman is standing in the courtyard," the king's attendants answered him.
"Let him come in," said the king.
Haman entered, and the king said to him, "What should be done for a man whom the king wishes to honor?"
Now Haman said to himself, "Who would the king wish to honor more than me?"
So Haman said to the king, "For a man whom the king wishes to honor, let them bring a royal garment that the king has
worn, and a horse upon which the king has ridden, and upon whose head the royal crown has been placed. And let the garment
and the horse be entrusted in the hands of one of the king's noble ministers, and they shall dress the man whom the king wishes
to honor and lead him on the horse through the city square, proclaiming before him, 'So is done for the man whom the king
wishes to honor!'"
The king said to Haman, "Hurry! Take the garment and the horse just as you have said, and do just so for Mordechai
the Jew who sits at the king's gate. Do not leave out a thing from all that you suggested."
So Haman took the garment and dressed Mordechai, and he led him through the city square and proclaimed before him:
"So is done for the man whom the King wishes to honor!"
Then Mordechai returned to the king's gate while Haman hurried to his house, miserable, his face covered. Haman told
his wife Zeresh and all his friends about all that had happened to him. And his wise men and his wife Zeresh told him, "If
this Mordechai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail over him, for you will certainly
fall before him."
While they were still talking with him, the chamberlains of the king arrived, and they rushed to bring Haman to the
feast that Esther had prepared.
The king and Haman came to drink with Queen Esther.
And again on the second day the king said to Esther during the wine feast, "What is your plea, Queen Esther? It will
be granted you. What is your request? Even if it be half the kingdom it will be fulfilled."
Queen Esther replied and said: "If I have found favor in your eyes, O King, and if it please the King, let my life
be granted me by my plea, and the life of my people by my request. For my people and I have been sold to be annihilated, killed
and destroyed! Had we been sold as slaves and maidservants I would have kept silent. But indeed the persecutor is not bothered
by the King's loss."
King Achashverosh said he said to Queen Esther, "Who is this, and which one is he, that has the audacity to do such
a thing?"
"A man who is a persecutor and an enemy: this evil Haman!" Esther replied.
And Haman shuddered in the presence of the king and the queen. The king arose in wrath and left the wine feast and
went to the palace garden, while Haman stood up to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king's hostility
towards him was irrevocable. And the king returned from the palace garden to the wine-feast chamber, and Haman had fallen
upon the divan upon which Esther was reclining.
The king said, "Does he even intend to have his way with the queen while I am in the palace!"
As soon as these words left the king's mouth the face of Haman was covered. Then Charvonah, one of the chamberlains
that attended the king, said, "In addition, there is the gallows that Haman erected for Mordechai, who spoke for the King's
good, standing at Haman's house, fifty cubits high! Hang him upon it!" said the king.
And they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordechai and the king's wrath abated.
On that day, King Achashverosh gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, persecutor of the Jews. And Mordechai came before
the king, for Esther had told the king how he was related to her. And the king removed his signet ring which he had taken
from Haman and gave it to Mordechai, and Esther put Mordechai in charge of Haman's estate.
Esther again spoke before the king and fell before his feet and she cried and begged him to nullify the evil decree
of Haman the Agagite and his plot that he had plotted against the Jews. The king extended the golden scepter to Esther and
Esther rose and stood before the king.
She said, "If it please the King, and if I have found favor before him, and the idea is proper to the King, and I
am pleasing in his eyes, let an order be issued ordering the withdrawal of the letters containing the plot of Haman, son of
Hamdata, the Agagite, in which he ordered the destruction of the Jews throughout the King's provinces. For how can I behold
the calamity that will befall my people? And how can I behold the destruction of my race?"
King Achashverosh said to Queen Esther and Mordechai the Jew, "See, I have given Haman's estate to Esther, and he
himself was hanged on the gallows for raising his hand against the Jews. Now you can issue decrees concerning the Jews as
you please, in the King's name and sealed with the King's signet ring. For an edict written in the King's name and sealed
with the King's signet ring cannot be withdrawn."
The king's scribes were then summoned, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on its twenty-third day, and
an edict was written according to all that Mordechai instructed the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the nobles of the
provinces from Hodu to Cush, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces to each province according to its script and to each nation
according to its language, and to the Jews according to their script and language.
He wrote it in King Achashverosh's name and sealed it with the king's signet ring. He sent the letters by couriers
on horseback, riding mules bred of mares from the king's stables saying that the king had allowed the Jews of every city to
gather and stand up for their lives; to annihilate, kill and destroy every army of any nation or province that might attack
them, including their children and women, and to steal their possessions, on one day in all the provinces of King Achashverosh,
on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. Copies of
the edict were sent to be proclaimed as law in every province, clearly to all the nations, so that the Jews would be ready
for that day to take revenge upon their enemies. The couriers, riding mules from the king's stables, left urgently and hurriedly
with the king's edict, and the law was proclaimed in Shushan the capital.
And Mordechai left the king's presence wearing a royal garment of blue and white, a large golden crown, and a shawl
of fine linen and purple wool. And the city of Shushan celebrated and rejoiced. For the Jews there was light and happiness,
joy and glory. And in every province and city to which the king's edict and law reached, there was happiness and joy for the
Jews, a celebration and a holiday. Many of the gentiles converted to Judaism, for fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.
On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, when the time for the carrying out of the
king's edict and law had arrived, on the day the enemies of the Jews had thought they would dominate them, the situation was
reversed: the Jews dominated their enemies. The Jews gathered in their cities throughout the provinces of King Achashverosh
to attack those who sought to harm them. No man stood in their way, for fear of them had fallen upon all the nations. And
all the ministers of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king's functionaries honored the Jews, for fear of
Mordechai had fallen upon them. For Mordechai was prominent in the king's palace and his fame was spreading throughout all
the provinces, for Mordechai was growing in power.
And the Jews struck at all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying, and they did with their enemies as
they pleased. In Shushan the capital the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred
men. And they killed Parshandata and Dalfon and Aspata, 8 and Porata and Adalya and
Aridata 9 and Parmashta and Arisai and
Aridai and Vaizata, 10 the ten
sons of Haman, son of Hamdata, persecutor of the Jews, but they took none of the spoils.
That day, the number of killed persons in Shushan the capital was relayed to the king.
The king said to Queen Esther, "In Shushan the capital, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten
sons of Haman; what have they done in the other provinces of the King? What is your plea? It will be granted you. What is
your additional request? It will be fulfilled."
Esther replied, "If it please the King, let the Jews of Shushan be allowed to do tomorrow what was lawful today, and
let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows."
The king ordered this done, and the law was proclaimed in Shushan, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged. So the Jews
of Shushan gathered again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men in Shushan, but took none
of the spoils. And the rest of the Jews of the king's provinces gathered and
stood up for their lives to relieve themselves of their enemies and killed seventy-five thousand of their foes, but took none
of the spoils. On the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and they rested on
the fourteenth day and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing.
And the Jews of Shushan gathered on the thirteenth and fourteenth of Adar, and rested on the fifteenth and made it
a day of feasting and rejoicing. Thus the Jews, those who live in unwalled cities, make the fourteenth day of the month of
Adar a holiday, a day of feasting, rejoicing and sending portions of food one to another.
Now Mordechai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews living throughout the provinces of King Achashverosh,
near and far instructing them to obligate themselves to celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month
of Adar, like the days upon which the Jews were relieved of their enemies, and the month which had been transformed for them
from one of sorrow to joy, from mourning to festivity to make them days of feasting, rejoicing, sending food portions one
to another and giving gifts to the poor.
And the Jews accepted as
an obligation that which they had begun to observe, and that which Mordechai had written to them. For Haman, son of Hamdata,
the Agagite, persecutor of all the Jews, plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and he cast a pur, which is a lot, to shatter
them and destroy them. But when she came before the king, the king said and ordered letters to be written to the effect that
Haman's evil plot against the Jews be returned upon his own head, and he and his sons were hanged upon the gallows.
For this did they call these days "Purim," after the pur, because of all of the events of this story, which explains
what happened to them and why they saw fit to establish the holiday.
The Jews established and accepted upon themselves, and upon their descendants, and upon all who might convert to their
faith, to annually celebrate these two days in the manner described here, on their proper dates never to be abolished. And
these days are commemorated and celebrated in every generation, by every family, in every province and every city. And these
days of Purim will never pass from among the Jews nor shall their memory depart from their descendants.
Queen Esther, daughter of Avichayil, and Mordechai the Jew, wrote about the enormity of all the miracles, to establish
the holiday with this second Purim dispatch. And he sent letters to all the Jews, to the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces
of Achashveirosh's kingdom, words of peace and truth, instructing them to observe these days of Purim on their proper dates,
in the manner established for them by Mordechai the Jew and Queen Esther, just as they had accepted upon themselves and upon
their descendants the observance of the fasts and their lamentations. And the behest of Esther confirmed the observances of
these Purim days, and the story was included in Scripture.
King Achashverosh levied a tax upon the mainland and the islands of the sea. And the entire history of his power and
strength, and the account of Mordechai's greatness, whom the king had promoted, are recorded in the Book of Chronicles of
the kings of Media and Persia. For Mordechai the Jew was second to King Achashverosh, a leader to the Jews, and loved by his
many brethren. He sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace for all their descendants.
BUREKAS
This is a Jewish Sephardic dish which is quite similar to the Turkish "burak." Burekas can be prepared with various
types of dough: strudel dough (thin leaves), rising dough or with types of prepared dough found in the market. This is a dish
served on festive occasions, but also widely sold on Israeli street
corners. To be tasty, it must be served hot and fresh.
Dough
1/2 lb. margarine
1 tsp. salt
3 cups self-rising flour
warm water
Stuffing
1/2 cup cheese (feta)
1 cup cooked spinach
3 egg yolks
Garnish
1 egg yolk
4 cups sesame seeds
Dough: Melt the margarine and mix with flour and salt. Add warm water until able to roll dough. Roll it, cut a leaf,
and cut circles with a cup.
Stuffing: Mix all the ingredients. Put one teaspoon of stuffing on each dough circle. Fold in half. On top, spread
yolk and sprinkle sesame seeds. Place on a well-greased cookie tray and bake at 350 deg F (180 deg C) until golden (approx.
15-20 min.). Serve hot.
CHICKEN STUFFED WITH FRESH HERBS FOR PURIM
Yield: 6 servings
6 chicken breast cutlets, pounded
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
4 scallions, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint or 2 tablespoons dried
1 cup finely ground walnuts
1/4 cup dried cherries or cranberries, cleaned, soaked for 20 minutes in water, drained and chopped
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 lime or 2 Seville oranges, cut in half
*Chef's tip: use the bottom of a saucepan!
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a non-stick skillet, and sauté the garlic with all the herbs. Add cherries or cranberries,
raisins, lime juice, and pepper. Mix well and remove from heat. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Lay out the flattened chicken breast cutlets and divide filling among them. Spread filling as if you're frosting a
cake. Fold the chicken cutlets in half. Lay in a greased baking dish and brush with the last tablespoon of oil.
Bake uncovered for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until tender and juices run clear. Baste once or twice with the pan
juices.
Arrange cutlets on a serving platter, garnish with sliced limes or oranges.
Alternate procedure: Place all the stuffing in the center of the baking dish. Lay unpounded chicken cutlets on top,
and bake 30 to 40 minutes or until done.
HAZENBLOSEN (BLOWN-UP LITTLE PANTS)
Yield: about 20
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sweet red wine
1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour, (1/2 to 1)
Vegetable oil or Crisco for deep-frying
Confectioners'sugar
1. Beat the egg well. Then add salt, wine, and gradually the flour until you have a sticky elastic dough, almost like
the consistency of molasses.
2. Flour your hands and break off pieces not much bigger than a marble. Roll out paper-thin on a floured surface.
Cut in segments approximately 2 by 4 inches (dough the size of a large marble will make about 3), or cut on the diagonal very
thin strips or whatever shape you wish.
3. Pour about 2 inches of oil into a heavy frying pan and heat to 375 degrees F. Slide the strips carefully into the
hot oil. Let cook a few seconds on each side. Soon they will bubble and puff up like hazenblosen. Remove with a spatula and
drain on paper towels. When cool sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Eat immediately or let sit, covered well, for one day
with plastic wrap.
HUNGARIAN LAYERED CHOCOLATE NUT PASTRY FOR PURIM
Yield: 20 good-sized pieces
20 grams [.7 oz OR 2 tbsp.] solid yeast *
1/3 cup orange juice
500 grams [1 lb + 1.5 oz OR 4 cups] flour
350 grams [12.25 oz OR 1 1/2 cup + 1/2 tblsp.] margarine
2 eggs
1 cup + 3 tblsp. white sugar
Grated rind of 2 lemons
1/2 tblsp. lemon juice
250 grams [8.75 oz OR 1 cup] chopped almonds
3 tblsp. jam (we used strawberry)
1 tblsp. cocoa powder
1 tsp. powdered coffee
1 1/2 tblsp. water
1 egg yolk
1. Grease a baking pan of size 30 x 38 cm [12 x 15 inches], with margarine or Pam spray. 2. Preheat oven to 180 C
[356 F]. 3. Mix the yeast with the orange juice. Let sit for a few minutes. 4. Add to yeast mixture: the flour, 300 grams
[10.5 oz OR 1 1/4 cup + 1 tblsp.] margarine, eggs, 1 1/2 tblsp. sugar, grated rind of 1 lemon, lemon juice. Mix well and knead
till pliable. Let the dough sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour. 5. Make the filling: mix together the chopped almonds,
1 cup sugar, and grated rind of 1 lemon. 6. Divide the dough into 3 parts, and roll each part into a rectangle the same size
as the baking pan. The last part (which will go on top) should be a bit larger than the pan, to allow for shrinkage. 7. Lay
the first part of the dough in the baking pan. Brush with half the jam. Sprinkle with half the filling. Top with the second
part of the dough, brush with the rest of the jam, and sprinkle with the rest of the filling. Top with the third part of the
dough (the part which was rolled out larger than the pan size), and seal the edges well. Prick this top part in several places
with a fork. 8. Bake in preheated oven for about 35 - 45 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown on top. 9. While pastry
is baking, make the glaze: combine 1 1/2 tblsp. sugar, cocoa powder, powdered coffee, and water in a small pot. Heat on stove,
and stir until well mixed. Remove from heat, and carefully fold in the egg yolk. Add 50 grams [1.75 oz OR 3 1/2 tblsp.] margarine,
and stir until combined. 10. After pastry is done and has cooled, spread the glaze on top of the pastry. Glaze may have to
be gently reheated to make it spreadable. 11. Cut into squares and enjoy! My teacher told me that the traditional way to serve
this is to put the squares into papers similar to but larger than petits-four papers, to show off the layers.
NOOANT
1 lb honey
3/4 cup sugar
1 lb chopped walnuts
In heavy pan, boil honey and sugar on a low flame until dissolved.
Add chopped nuts and simmer over low flame for 20-30 minutes or until a medium-brown color. Stir carefully with a
wooden spoon to prevent burning.
Wet a board or marble slab well and spread mixture with a wet spatula, about 1/2- inch thick. With a wet knife, cut
into small squares or triangles.
Cover and store at room temperature.
PERSIAN LAMB AND APRICOT PILAF (NK)
Yield: 6 servings
1/2 c butter (or pareve margarine to make kosher)
1 onion, finely chopped
1 lb lean lamb, cubed
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 1/2 tbsp seedless raisins, preferably golden
4 oz fresh or dried apricots, halved
2 c long grain rice, washed in 3 changes of water
salt & pepper
Heat butter (or pareve margarine) in heavy pan and fry onion until golden. Add meat and brown on all sides. Season
to taste with salt, pepper, turmeric and cinnamon. Mix in raisins and apricots. Add water to cover. Cover and simmer over
very low heat 1- 1/4 to 1- 1/2 hours or until meat is very tender. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching, adding water if
necessary. Texture should be thick but pourable. Boil 4 cups water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and rice. Bring to boil again and
boil 2 minutes, then reduce heat, cover pan and cook over low heat 10 to 15 minutes or until almost tender. Fluff with fork.
Arrange rice and stew in alternate layers in heavy saucepan, beginning and ending with layers of rice. Set over very low heat,
stretch clean cloth over pot and place cover over cloth. Steam 20 minutes, or until rice is tender.
PERSIAN RICE
4 cups lightly salted water
2 cups long grain rice
2 tbsp butter or margarine
salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add rice. Water should cover rice by about 2 inches or more. Add boiling
water if necessary. Cook uncovered over med heat 10 minutes. Drain. Rinse with cold water & drain again.
Melt butter or margarine in a large saucepan. Add drained rice & stir to coat well.
Place saucepan lid on a clean cloth towel & fasten securely with a rubber band. Place lid on saucepan & steam
rice about 40-45 minutes over a very low heat or until the bottom is golden & crusty.
PURIM PINWHEELS
1/4 pound unsalted butter or margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tspoon baking powder
1/4 tspoon salt
1 ounce usweetened chocolate, melted
2 tbspoon poppy seeds
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light. Add the egg and the vanilla
and almond extracts and blend well. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture
and blend thoroughly. Divide the dough in half. Beat the melted chocolate into one half of the dough, and the poppy seeds
into the remaining half. Wrap each half with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.
On floured wax paper, roll out each half dough to a 9 x 14- inch retangle. Invert the white poopy seed dough onto
the chocolate dough and peel off the wax paper from the white dough. Tightly roll up the dough, jelly-roll fashion, peeling
off the wax paper as you roll. Wrap the roll with a plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour, or freeze until needed.
Preheat the oven 350 degrees F. Carefull cut roll into 1/4- inch thick slices. Place the slices on ungreased foil-
lined baking sheets and bake for 5 to 7 minutes or lightly browned. Transfer to racks to cool.
SAMBUSAK (SEPHARDIC STUFFED PASTRIES)
Yield: 6 servings
2 tbsp active dry yeast (2 packages)
2 c lukewarm water, divided
Pinch sugar
1 tsp Salt
1/2 lb pareve margarine
2 lb sifted all-purpose flour, (about 8 cups)
1 tsp ground anise
Vegetable oil for frying
MEAT FILLING:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 bunch scallions, diced
1 pound very lean ground meat
Dash each of: garlic powder, ginger, turmeric
1 tsp cinnamon
Salt to taste
Dissolve the yeast in about a cup of warm water with a pinch of sugar.
Add salt, remaining water, margarine and some of the flour. Gradually add the remaining flour and the anise. Blend
with your hands and knead well. If the dough is too soft or sticky, add more flour.
Place in a greased bowl and let rise, covered, until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour) Punch down, knead again and let
rise until doubled.
Take a piece of dough the size of a plum and roll it into a ball. Press it down on a floured board until it flattens
into a circle. Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the center. Fold over and pinch into a half-moon shape.
Heat oil to 375 degrees. Deep fry until golden. Drain and serve.
MEAT FILLING: Heat oil, add scallions, meat, spices. Keep turning meat as it browns. When cooked, turn up the heat
so all the water evaporates. Cool and fill half-moons as directed.
