Jews Celebrating Purim:
Thanking for The Salvation
of the Jewish People
March 22, 2008
translated by Birgit Barandica E.
This is the meaning of the name
Yeshua (Jesus): Salvation!!
From the German Version of israel heute (March 09, 2009)
Tonight, the religious Jews will begin their traditional Esther fasting, which is to remember the three day fasting ordained by queen Esther, where people were to plead for success of their mission going to king Ahasveros. The feast begins on the eve, apart from Jerusalem, with the reading of the book of Esther. Everytime the name of Jews-hating Haman is being read out, everyone is making a big noise in order to terminate the name of this villain. On Purim, people remember the salvation of Israel from the Persian Haman, who had planned to destroy Israel. In the city of Jerusalem, being surrounded by walls and who received one extra feast day like the city of Shushan, the feast will begin only tomrrow and it also starts with the reading of the book of Esther. In the capitol, the distribution of gifts to the poor and friends, the same as the feast dinner, will be held on Wednesday.
The word Purim means "lot" and refers to the lot being thrown by Amalekite Haman, the Prime Minister of the king, in order to decide on which day the mass destruction of the Jews should begin.
For Messianic believers, this is a good opportunity to have a time of fasting and prayers for the Jewish people, the situation in Israel and for a spiritual renewal.
It is a happy feast, yet not to rejoice over the death of Haman or other anti-Semites, but over the salvation of the Jewish people in the times of Xerxes.
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Throughout all the year, kids are looking forward to Purim. In this feast the Jewish people commemorate the victory over their enemy, who had planned their destruction as mentioned in the Scripture book of Esther.
In the 9th chapter we read: "Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far,21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote to them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor." (Esther 9:20-22)
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The call to celebrate sounds enticing. The main reason for the kids to rejoice is yet the custom to masquarade. Even adults join in.
On the eve of Purim, a colorful crowd is to be seen at the Synagoge. Disguised kids everywhere making a big noise. This is a must. During the service, the whole book of Esther is being read. Everytime the name of Haman is mentioned, there is a terrible noise with rattles, noisemakers that are kind of compulsary at Purim, or even bobby pistols can be heard. Some kids don't even wait for name of Haman to be mentioned!
Every celebration is being accompanied by certain food. At Purim you will eat triangular pastries—called oznei Haman ("Haman's ears", recipe here!), filled with dates. Just like Mordecai once requested it, people send baskets with sweets to each other - at least three different kinds and of course "Haman's ears". those are being sold everywhere, just like at Hanukka you have special doughnuts baked in oil.
What would a celebration be without songs and music?
Purim songs count of what a great feast it is for kids. Masks and rattles and Haman's ears are being sung about. "Come on, let's make noise", is the chorus of one song.
And of course, the whole book of Esther is being sung, not only at the Synagoge but also on the radio. Ethiopian Jews were enver reached with the Purim tradition, this is why they don't know this celebration. Russian Jews think of Josef Stalin having died at Purim and so his plan of deporting the Jews to Siberia has never been realized.
This year, Purim is on March 21 and 22. The Jewish people are thinking of God being able to change their fate within one day and turn their tears into joy.
