Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman,
who was planning to kill all the Jews.
This took place in the ancient Persian Empire.
The story is recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther.
According to the Bible, Haman, royal vizier to King Ahasuerus,
planned to kill all the Jews in the empire,
but his plans were foiled by Mordecai and his cousin and adopted daughter Esther,
who had risen to become Queen of Persia.
The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and rejoicing.
The custom of masquerading in costume and the wearing of masks
probably originated among the Italian Jews at the end of the 15th century.
The concept was possibly influenced by the Roman carnival and spread across Europe.
Some ultra-orthodox Hassidic communities use the same costumes for centuries
because they kept it since the Othman period.
They keep their everyday coat but instead of their shstreimel (the Hasidic fury hat) they put on a Turkish hat. You can find them at the area of Mea Shearim neighborhood.
According to the tradition, each adult must give two different foods to one person,
and two charitable donations to two poor people.
There is a lon
g standing custom of drinking wine at the feast.
The custom stems from a statement in the Talmud.
One should drink on Purim until he can “no longer distinguish between arur Haman
(‘Cursed is Haman’) and baruch Mordechai (‘Blessed is Mordecai’).”
The Hasidic Jews conduct a feast called a Tish.
The Yiddish word means a table, but it’s not only a meal.
The members of the community dance and sing in front of their chief rabbi.
Sometimes they let strangers in the dinner, to take a glimpse in old ceremony.
You won’t be able to participate just look at the event.
In the market and in the pastry shops you’ll find the traditional triangular pastries
called Hamantaschen (“Haman’s pockets”).
It is a sweet dough pastry filled with a poppy seed filling, jam or chocolate.
Main events will take place at Saphra square, in the Tower of David museum,
Israel museum or the Bible museum.
All you need to do is choose and remember you can always join our celebrations at the Post Hotel.
