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Post by alon on Mar 1, 2024 23:20:19 GMT -8
Purim starts the evening of 23 March, 2024. Here are some customs associated with this feast day:
4 mitzvoth outlined in Esther we all should do on Purim:
1. Listen to the Megillah being read on Erev Purim and Purim day.
2. Tzedikah- give charity to at least two people poorer than yourself.
3. Gifts of at least two foods to at least one friend.
4. Have a festive meal.
Some common customs at Purim:
Graggers- when the name of Haman is mentioned during the Megillah reading, those present (especially children) spin graggers (ratchets), shake clappers, bang, shout, stamp their feet, and generally make a ruckus. A corralary is writing Haman’s name on your shoe sole to “stamp out” his name as we stomp our feet.
Eat foods with seeds- the hamantasch is a three-cornered pastry stuffed with sweet filling of a paste made from seed bearing fruit. The seeds recall the devotion of Daniel, and later Esther who subsisted on seeds while living in the midst of sumptuous luxury to avoid eating treif.
Drink (responsibly)- the sages say a person should drink on Purim to the point that they “don’t discern between ‘cursed be Haman’ and ‘blessed is Mordechai.’” Most Messianics take a more moderate approach, drinking just enough so they are tired. Obviously, this does not apply to anyone who may become ill or act inappropriately when intoxicated, or if one has to drive.
Dress up in costumes- with positive lessons from the Bible.
Hold a Purim Shpiel- a performance which typically includes drama, song, dance, and lots of jokes. One can see Purim shpielers practicing their shtick up to the day.
A mashvarta- light a bonfire in a pit, and leap over the fire from end to end. Proper safety and supervision are obviously necessary. Some today think this too “dangerous,” and it can be if loose, flammable clothing is worn, or competition gets out of hand. But children need to feel “daring,” and I remember doing this at every opportunity as a young child. So crucify me if you must, all I can say is “pbltltltlttt” and show me the nearest fire pit!
Fast the day before- a custom, not a commanded fast. The day preceding Purim (or on the Thursday before, when Purim is on Sunday), is known as ‘Ta’anit Esther, The Fast of Esther.” This custom commemorates Esther’s fasting and prayer before God that He save His people.
Tzedikah- the afternoon of Ta'anit Esther, it is customary to give either to charity or to ones qehillah(spiritual community). Typically three coins, each to be half of the local denomination (half dollars in the US) representing the mitzvah to donate a half silver shekel toward the Temple treasury annually at this time of year. I once attended a synagogue where they tried to determine the value of a half silver shekel in the 1st cen. as related to the current value of a half dollar. Then they purchased silver strips to be cut and bought by those who signed up and donated back to the synagogue. Honestly it was a lot of trouble when we have half dollar coins. But I suppose the difficulty drove the lesson home a bit better. Main takeaway, give to either your qehillah or to charity on Purim.
Visit the sick, elderly, or just lonely- Maimonides writes that a holiday feast is only holy when it is shared with those less fortunate. Make the effort to share the day, if not your meal and the opportunity to do the Purim mitzvoth, bringing joy to others
Hang/Batter/Burn Haman- create an effigy of Haman, then after abusing him for a while hang him; as was actually his fate for trying to destroy God’s people, the Jews. But do so over the fire so he burns (also his eternal fate). I mention this because some like it, but I have a couple of problems here. 1.) we are told not to create images of men, which is idolitry (whether or not you worship the ting). 2,) you are symbolically destroying the image of a man who, regardless his sins was made in the Imagio Dio, the image of God. Not supposed to do that either.
Chag Purim sameach!
Purim Customs
4 mitzvoth outlined in Esther we all should do on Purim:
1. Listen to the Megillah being read on Erev Purim and Purim day.
2. Tzedikah- give charity to at least two people poorer than yourself.
3. Gifts of at least two foods to at least one friend.
4. Have a festive meal.
Some common customs at Purim:
Graggers- when the name of Haman is mentioned during the Megillah reading, those present (especially children) spin graggers (ratchets), shake clappers, bang, shout, stamp their feet, and generally make a ruckus. A corralary is writing Haman’s name on your shoe sole to “stamp out” his name as we stomp our feet.
Eat foods with seeds- the hamantasch is a three-cornered pastry stuffed with sweet filling of a paste made from seed bearing fruit. The seeds recall the devotion of Daniel, and later Esther who subsisted on seeds while living in the midst of sumptuous luxury to avoid eating treif.
Drink (responsibly)- the sages say a person should drink on Purim to the point that they “don’t discern between ‘cursed be Haman’ and ‘blessed is Mordechai.’” Most Messianics take a more moderate approach, drinking just enough so they are tired. Obviously, this does not apply to anyone who may become ill or act inappropriately when intoxicated, or if one has to drive.
Dress up in costumes- with positive lessons from the Bible.
Hold a Purim Shpiel- a performance which typically includes drama, song, dance, and lots of jokes. One can see Purim shpielers practicing their shtick up to the day.
A mashvarta- light a bonfire in a pit, and leap over the fire from end to end. Proper safety and supervision are obviously necessary. Some today think this too “dangerous,” and it can be if loose, flammable clothing is worn, or competition gets out of hand. But children need to feel “daring,” and I remember doing this at every opportunity as a young child. So crucify me if you must, all I can say is “pbltltltlttt” and show me the nearest fire pit!
Fast the day before- a custom, not a commanded fast. The day preceding Purim (or on the Thursday before, when Purim is on Sunday), is known as ‘Ta’anit Esther, The Fast of Esther.” This custom commemorates Esther’s fasting and prayer before God that He save His people.
Tzedikah- the afternoon of Ta'anit Esther, it is customary to give either to charity or to ones qehillah(spiritual community). Typically three coins, each to be half of the local denomination (half dollars in the US) representing the mitzvah to donate a half silver shekel toward the Temple treasury annually at this time of year. I once attended a synagogue where they tried to determine the value of a half silver shekel in the 1st cen. as related to the current value of a half dollar. Then they purchased silver strips to be cut and bought by those who signed up and donated back to the synagogue. Honestly it was a lot of trouble when we have half dollar coins. But I suppose the difficulty drove the lesson home a bit better. Main takeaway, give to either your qehillah or to charity on Purim.
Visit the sick, elderly, or just lonely- Maimonides writes that a holiday feast is only holy when it is shared with those less fortunate. Make the effort to share the day, if not your meal and the opportunity to do the Purim mitzvoth, bringing joy to others
Hang/Batter/Burn Haman- create an effigy of Haman, then after abusing him for a while hang him; as was actually his fate for trying to destroy God’s people, the Jews. But do so over the fire so he burns (also his eternal fate). I mention this because some like it, but I have a couple of problems here. 1.) we are told not to create images of men, which is idolitry (whether or not you worship the ting). 2,) you are symbolically destroying the image of a man who, regardless his sins was made in the Imagio Dio, the image of God. Not supposed to do that either.
Chag Purim sameach!
