Purim
Jewish holiday celebrating deliverance from Haman's plot.
Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of Haman, an official of the Achaemenid Empire, as recounted in the Book of Esther. The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and rejoicing among Jews, celebrated annually on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (or Adar II in leap years). The holiday’s name derives from the Hebrew word for “lot,” referencing Haman’s casting of lots to choose the date for his planned massacre. According to the Scroll of Esther, Haman was the royal vizier to King Ahasuerus, likely Xerxes I or Artaxerxes I. His plot was foiled by Mordecai, a member of the tribe of Benjamin who had previously warned the king of an assassination attempt, and by Esther, Mordecai’s cousin and adopted daughter, who became queen after marrying Ahasuerus. The Book of Esther is traditionally viewed as historical, but modern scholarship generally regards it as a historical novel with legendary elements. The holiday is marked by several prescribed observances: exchanging gifts of food and drink, donating charity to the poor, and holding a celebratory meal that often includes alcoholic beverages. Public recitation of the Scroll of Esther, known as reading the Megillah, typically takes place in synagogue. Additional prayers and grace after meals are recited. Among Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews, applying henna is a custom. Other widespread practices include wearing masks and costumes, holding public celebrations and parades, eating triangular pastries called hamantaschen, and drinking wine. The 13th of Adar, the day the Jews fought their enemies, is observed in most years with the Fast of Esther. In cities that were protected by a surrounding wall at the time of Joshua, Purim is celebrated on the 15th of Adar, since fighting in the walled city of Shushan continued through the 14th. Today, only Jerusalem observes Purim on the 15th, while several other biblical settlements, such as Hebron and Tiberias, celebrate on both dates due to uncertainty. Small minorities also observe both dates in other ancient Israeli cities and in cities outside Israel including Prague, Damascus, İzmir, and Baghdad.
- name
- Purim
- also_known_as
- Festival of Lots
- observed_by
- Jews
- date
- 14th of Adar (15th in walled cities like Jerusalem)
- origin_story
- Book of Esther
- key_figures
- Esther, Mordecai, Haman, Ahasuerus
- traditions
- Mishloach manot, mattanot la-evyonim, se'udat Purim, Megillah reading
Lore & Background
Purim is a Jewish holiday commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot by Haman, the royal vizier to the Persian king Ahasuerus, as recounted in the Book of Esther. The holiday’s name derives from the plural of the Hebrew word *pur* (meaning “lot”), referencing the lots Haman cast to select the date for the Jews’ annihilation. The narrative centers on Mordecai, a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, and his cousin and adopted daughter Esther, who became queen after Ahasuerus deposed his previous wife, Vashti, for refusing to display herself at a royal feast. Mordecai’s earlier warning to the king about an assassination plot earned him favor, while Haman’s anger at Mordecai’s refusal to bow led to the genocidal scheme. Esther’s courageous intercession—after a period of fasting and prayer—revealed her Jewish identity and foiled the plan, resulting in the Jews’ victory over their enemies on the 13th of Adar. Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar (or Adar II in leap years), with walled cities like Jerusalem observing it on the 15th, as fighting in Shushan extended an extra day. Customs include public recitation of the Scroll of Esther in synagogue, exchanging gifts of food and drink, donating charity to the poor, a festive meal often with wine, and wearing costumes and masks. Among Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews, applying henna is also practiced. The holiday emphasizes feasting, gladness, and mutual support, as prescribed in the biblical text.
Reader's Guide
Purim holds significance as a celebration of Jewish survival against a genocidal threat, with its narrative preserved in the Book of Esther, the last book canonized in the Hebrew Bible. Modern scholarship generally regards the Book of Esther as a historical novel with legendary elements, not a reliable account of Purim's origins. The holiday is observed with public recitation of the Megillah, exchanging gifts of food (mishloach manot), charity to the poor (mattanot la-evyonim), a festive meal with alcoholic beverages (se'udat Purim), and customs such as wearing costumes and eating hamantashen. In cities that were walled at the time of Joshua, including Jerusalem, Purim is celebrated on the 15th of Adar (Shushan Purim). The name derives from the Akkadian word 'pur' meaning 'lot,' referencing Haman's casting of lots to set the date of destruction.
Did You Know?
- Purim is the plural of the Hebrew word 'pur' meaning 'lot,' from Akkadian 𒁓 puru.
- In Hebrew leap years, Purim is celebrated in Adar II, which occurs 7 times in every 19 years.
- Only in Jerusalem is Purim observed on the 15th of Adar (Shushan Purim) today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Purim?
Purim is a Jewish holiday that marks the rescue of the Jewish community from a genocide plot orchestrated by Haman, a high-ranking official in the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire. The story is told in the Book of Esther, where Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai outmaneuver the villain to save their people.
When is Purim celebrated?
Purim falls on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, or Adar II in a leap year. In cities that historically had walls, such as Jerusalem, the celebration shifts to the 15th of Adar.
Who are the main characters in the Purim story?
The narrative centers on Esther, a Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia; her guardian Mordecai; the antagonist Haman, who schemes to destroy the Jews; and King Ahasuerus, the ruler of the Achaemenid Empire.
What traditions are associated with Purim?
Observers typically read the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther), share festive meals with friends, and give gifts of food to one another. Wearing costumes and booing Haman's name during the public reading are also well-known customs.
Why is Purim important in Jewish tradition?
The holiday commemorates a moment when the Jewish people were saved from a planned extermination, transforming a day of peril into one of joy and feasting. It is distinctive among Jewish holidays in that it emphasizes celebration and gratitude rather than fasting or formal prayer services.
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