- there are 70 faces to 
Post by alon on Feb 19, 2021 19:57:00 GMT -8
Pûrîm פּוּרִים
Purim this year is from sundown on Thur 25 Feb 2021 through the day of Friday the 26th.
Not commanded in Torah, however:
Esther 9:1,17,22 (ESV) Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them. … This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested and made that a day of feasting and gladness. … as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
There is always the question of how much we should copy contemporary Judaism in our Messianic observances; indeed, whether we should even celebrate anything not commanded in Torah at all. All are free to follow their own beliefs here, however I see no proscription to additional feasts or traditions that help us remember and honor God.
Some traditions do not bring honor to God, like getting so drunk you cannot tell the difference in when you are cursing Haman or praising God. It’s in Talmud, but not one of Judaism’s shining examples in my opinion. A bit of drink can be good for the soul; too much drink can be good for ha’satan’s cause. So if you are going to celebrate this joyous time, might I suggest some discernment when planning your celebrations?
Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar, and Shushan Purim is the 15th for walled cities. The 13th is the chosen day for Haman to destroy the Jews, and so was the day they fought for their very existence. But with God’s help the Jewish people prevailed, and the 14th was a great celebration (15th in walled cities of the time). Because some of the traditional celebrations would violate Shabbat, when Shushan Purim falls on a Shabbat most of the celebrations are set aside for the 16th. Interestingly, on the Hebrew calendar Purim itself (the 14th) never falls on a Shabbat! (Or so I'm told ...).
On Leap Years when there are 2 months of Adar, Purim is celebrated on the second one so that it is always 1 month before Pesach. Pesach reminds us that in every generation someone rises up to destroy God’s people. Purim is the story of one such enemy, Haman.
“Purim” means “lots,” in reference to the method Haman used to choose the day of his attempt to exterminate the Jews. One of the most joyous of celebrations in Judaism, it is preceded by a minor fast in honor of the 3 days fasting wherein Esther prepaired to meet with the king.
It is customary to read the Megillah, the book of Esther during the festivities. Haman’s name is written on the soles of our shoes, and every time the name Haman is read everyone stamps their feet and makes a lot of noise. Party noisemakers are usually used. One such traditional device is a grogger; it basically makes a growling noise when spun on a stick.
These days there is a movement by some (I think) very misguided and mostly self important Messianics (at least the one's I know are) to include the 5 “new” books of Esther. They are new because even proponents acknowledge they are pseudepigrapha, written around the time just before and after Yeshua. Their argument, which is specious at best is that those ancients had access to writings of even more ancient Jews, so they “could have,” just maybe based their writings on those. Really? “Maybe” is NOT a reason to include writings in the Word of God! Maybe … maybe God will wink at their silliness and forgive them. Maybe. But again, I would urge discernment …
An interesting parallel to the Megillah is the Nuremberg Trials and subsequent actions, as well as the death of Stalin. Outside the scope of this short treatise, you may still want to do a search and read up on these. Also look up Julius Streicher.
You can also look up traditional foods and recipes for Purim. Trust me, if you want to copy anything from contemporary Judaism, food has to be at the top of the list of worthwhile “observances!”
One of the good traditions, actually commanded by Mordechai (who was a prophet) is the sending of gifts, especially food to family, friends, and especially the poor. I might also suggest this is a great way to witness to others without being “preachy.” And much as I like being preachy, I have to say it has never stood me in great stead when witnessing. Food however … that works! It opens doors.
חג פורים שמח
chag Purim sameach
א פרייליכן פורים
ah freilichen Purim
(Yiddish)
“Happy Purim!”
Dan C
[Have FUN!]
Edit: Since we have a holiday in the coming week, I did this short darash concerning it. We are however done with posting the commanded feasts in their respective sub-forums, so next week I will start posting them all in one place as a unit, with index. It will be a bit long, so I'll post them probably over a 3 week period. If you have additions, comments, corrections etc, please go to the apropriate post where they were originally posted and we can discuss them there. That way the list won't be broken up and so will be a better reference for those wishing to use it. Any corrections I can make to the master list when it is done. Thanks. Dan
Purim this year is from sundown on Thur 25 Feb 2021 through the day of Friday the 26th.
Not commanded in Torah, however:
Esther 9:1,17,22 (ESV) Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them. … This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested and made that a day of feasting and gladness. … as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
There is always the question of how much we should copy contemporary Judaism in our Messianic observances; indeed, whether we should even celebrate anything not commanded in Torah at all. All are free to follow their own beliefs here, however I see no proscription to additional feasts or traditions that help us remember and honor God.
Some traditions do not bring honor to God, like getting so drunk you cannot tell the difference in when you are cursing Haman or praising God. It’s in Talmud, but not one of Judaism’s shining examples in my opinion. A bit of drink can be good for the soul; too much drink can be good for ha’satan’s cause. So if you are going to celebrate this joyous time, might I suggest some discernment when planning your celebrations?
Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar, and Shushan Purim is the 15th for walled cities. The 13th is the chosen day for Haman to destroy the Jews, and so was the day they fought for their very existence. But with God’s help the Jewish people prevailed, and the 14th was a great celebration (15th in walled cities of the time). Because some of the traditional celebrations would violate Shabbat, when Shushan Purim falls on a Shabbat most of the celebrations are set aside for the 16th. Interestingly, on the Hebrew calendar Purim itself (the 14th) never falls on a Shabbat! (Or so I'm told ...).
On Leap Years when there are 2 months of Adar, Purim is celebrated on the second one so that it is always 1 month before Pesach. Pesach reminds us that in every generation someone rises up to destroy God’s people. Purim is the story of one such enemy, Haman.
“Purim” means “lots,” in reference to the method Haman used to choose the day of his attempt to exterminate the Jews. One of the most joyous of celebrations in Judaism, it is preceded by a minor fast in honor of the 3 days fasting wherein Esther prepaired to meet with the king.
It is customary to read the Megillah, the book of Esther during the festivities. Haman’s name is written on the soles of our shoes, and every time the name Haman is read everyone stamps their feet and makes a lot of noise. Party noisemakers are usually used. One such traditional device is a grogger; it basically makes a growling noise when spun on a stick.
These days there is a movement by some (I think) very misguided and mostly self important Messianics (at least the one's I know are) to include the 5 “new” books of Esther. They are new because even proponents acknowledge they are pseudepigrapha, written around the time just before and after Yeshua. Their argument, which is specious at best is that those ancients had access to writings of even more ancient Jews, so they “could have,” just maybe based their writings on those. Really? “Maybe” is NOT a reason to include writings in the Word of God! Maybe … maybe God will wink at their silliness and forgive them. Maybe. But again, I would urge discernment …
An interesting parallel to the Megillah is the Nuremberg Trials and subsequent actions, as well as the death of Stalin. Outside the scope of this short treatise, you may still want to do a search and read up on these. Also look up Julius Streicher.
You can also look up traditional foods and recipes for Purim. Trust me, if you want to copy anything from contemporary Judaism, food has to be at the top of the list of worthwhile “observances!”
One of the good traditions, actually commanded by Mordechai (who was a prophet) is the sending of gifts, especially food to family, friends, and especially the poor. I might also suggest this is a great way to witness to others without being “preachy.” And much as I like being preachy, I have to say it has never stood me in great stead when witnessing. Food however … that works! It opens doors.
חג פורים שמח
chag Purim sameach
א פרייליכן פורים
ah freilichen Purim
(Yiddish)
“Happy Purim!”
Dan C
[Have FUN!]
Edit: Since we have a holiday in the coming week, I did this short darash concerning it. We are however done with posting the commanded feasts in their respective sub-forums, so next week I will start posting them all in one place as a unit, with index. It will be a bit long, so I'll post them probably over a 3 week period. If you have additions, comments, corrections etc, please go to the apropriate post where they were originally posted and we can discuss them there. That way the list won't be broken up and so will be a better reference for those wishing to use it. Any corrections I can make to the master list when it is done. Thanks. Dan
