Purim is a Jewish holiday celebrated on two dates - the 14th of the month of Adar, and, in walled cities like Jerusalem, on the 15th of Adar (also called Shushan Purim). The origin of the holiday is related in the Book of Esther, which tells of how Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai saved the Jews of Persia from a massacre at the hands of Haman the Agagite.
Today, Purim is perhaps most identified with the tradition of wearing costumes, but the holiday has several commandments (mitzvot) as well, the main one being the reading of the Book of Esther. It is also customary to give gifts to the needy, deliver a mishloah manot ("gifts of food") to family and friends, as well as eat a festive meal.
Below, you can discover some fascinating acpects of the Purim holiday, such as the story of one of the world's oldest Esther scrolls, an "alternative Purim" celebrated in 17th-century Frnkfurt, the reason we eat Hamentaschen and the origin of the Purim noisemaker or grogger - the "Raashan" - to name a few...
Tel Aviv’s Purim parades between 1933 and 1935 evolved from joyous celebrations into full-on protests against Nazi Germany
The only known manuscript of The Chronicle of Pope Paul IV is at the National Library in Jerusalem…
Tunes from his childhood accompanied Yitzchak Freilich through the camps and on to his new life in America. Recorded by his son, they are now online as part of the National Library of Israel collection
Mid-15th century Iberian megillah now at the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem and online
A klezmer-infused children’s book inspired by journeys to the Eastern Bloc and the Black Sea
After hundreds of years underground, Jewish life on the Spanish island is reawakening
In Genie Milgrom’s family, hidden Jewish identity was preserved for generations in the food they ate
How does one drown out the name of the most hated, evil man in the Megillah? By making good use of a Christian folk tradition of course!
Samuel Solnik, who claimed descent from King David, sought to convince the US and Britain to restore the ancient Kingdom of Israel and place his son on the throne
Why was it specifically Haman’s ear that was chosen as the inspiration for this holiday treat?