PURIM
Laws and Customs of Purim
Listen To the Megillah
To relive the miracle of Purim, we listen to the reading of the Megillah. When Hamen's name is mentioned we twirl 'graggers' and stamp our feet to 'drown out' his evil name. The Megillah will be read on Saturday night 27th February and on Sunday 28th February.
Matanot La'evyonim: Give Gifts to the Needy
Concern for the needy is a year-round responsibility for every Jew. On Purim, particularly, it is a mitzvah to remember the poor. It is customary to donate money to at least two charities which work directly with poor people on Purim.
Mishloach Manot: Send Gifts of Food
On Purim we emphasis the importance of Jewish unity and friendship by sending gifts of food to friends. Send a gift of at least two kinds of ready-to-eat foods, to at least one friend.
Seudat Purim
As on all Festivals, we celebrate Purim with a special festive meal, when family and friends gather together to rejoice in the Purim spirit. It is customary on Purim, if safe and appropriate to do so, to imbibe slightly more alcohol and become even merrier than usual, within reasonable limits of course.
READING BACKWARDS
According to Jewish Law, if a person reads the Megillah (the Purim Story) backwards, they have not fulfilled their obligation. The Baal Shem Tov the founder of Chassidism, explains that anyone who reads the Megillah backwards - i.e. as if it is only a history book, something from the past, has not fulfilled their duty. Like all parts of the Torah, the Megillah is relevant to every time and every place.
What is the lesson of the Megillah? Haman's claim against the Jews was that "there is one people which, although scattered among the peoples of the world.... their laws are different from those of other peoples." Despite being dispersed throughout the world, the Jewish people always have, and will continue to, preserve our distinctive identity through maintaining our traditions and our own laws. Haman used this argument against us, yet it is this very quality which has worked in our favour, allowing us to survive.
Additionally, as we are starting to witness in our own generation, we secure our position in society not avoiding and hiding our Jewish identity, but rather by maintaining our unique heritage and even sharing it with others. There is an unprecedented interest today in all things Jewish and non-Jewish circles.
The starting point is, of course, the children. It says in the Midrash that when Mordechai heard of Haman's wicked plan, he gathered children together and began educating them. Through education of our children, we guarantee our continuity. The Midrash tells us that when the Torah was given at Mount Sinai, the people vowed that "the children will be our guarantors". When Mordechai taught the children at Purim time, he was realising this promise - that through children's education, that 'guarantee' becomes a reality.