Purim Partayyy

Before coming to Israel, I had vaguely learned about Purim but it never completely sunk in. At least I know a little more now. Purim is all about Ester stopping the murder of all of the Jews in the Persian Empire (this is all in the Book of Ester in the Old Testament and the Torah if you’re interested in brushing up on your bible stories). Ahasuerus who reins over Persia was looking for a new wife, and demands that he sees all of the virgins in the land. Esther (who is Jewish) is later chosen as queen. Later, Mordecai (Esther’s cousin) refuses to bow to the King’s advisor Haman. When Haman finds out Mordecai is a Jew, he makes a decree that all of the Jews should be killed.  Esther decides to stand up for herself and her people to the King and reveal Haman’s plot and that she is Jewish. At that time, a king could put anyone to death who went in front of the king without being summoned. In the end, the Jews are not killed and Haman is hanged. Esther saved the day and a huge group of people.

Rando picture with some guys who decided to dress up

So, in current day Purim is celebrated with a few commandments:

1)   Give gifts

2)   Be Happy

3)   Get as drunk as you possibly can

4)   Read the story of Esther twice

5)   Dress up in a costume

The only commandment I really followed was being happy- I only read the story of Esther once.

A lot of people equate Purim to “Israeli Halloween”, I think there is a deeper religious meaning to it, but on the surface it definitely felt like Halloween- minus the trick-or-treating, haunted houses, etc.

Purim Party at the market

Party near Jaffa Gate

Parties for Purim are wild and crazy- it is citywide. The souk (market) even opened up to become a huge party the night Purim started. I think I was the only one who didn’t go out that night. I did go out into the city the next day though, I went to the dome of the rock and the western wall with two friends. When we went to the Western Wall I looked to my right and saw a woman in a huge penguin costume doing her prayers from a prayer book, at the western wall. There is a mental screen shot of her in my head; I don’t think I will ever forget it.

In the coming months there are a couple more holidays that I am not to familiar with- an update will come soon!