Feast of Purim

Feast of Purim -Esther (Hadassah) revessie@yahoo.com March 31. ,2010 We are-.now-'in the time of the Feast of Purim Pronounced "Poor-em/Poor-eem) A. Purim celebrates the time when the Jews were saved from the hand of the enemy. (Haman) They celebrate by: 1. Listening to the public reading of Esther 2. Sending food and gifts to friends 3. Giving charity to the poor 4. Eating a festive meal. B. Some write their enemies names on the bottom of their shoes (Haman). He was a royal advisor to King Ahaseurus, He planned to have the Jews killed. Esther found out and called a fast She foiled his plans. Because of the fast, the Jews were delivered from being victims of an evil decree. 1. We can do the same by fasting. C. God's name is never mentioned In the book but His presense is definitely there. Rabbi's say His face is hidden. He becomes a revelation through Divine Intervention. D. Book begins with a six month (180 day) drinking feast by King Ahaseurus. He gets drunk and calls for Queen Vashti. She refuses and is removed. Esther takes her place. Her Uncle Mordecai discovers a plot to kill the King, tells it and is rewarded. Haman also has plans to kill the Jews and it is revealed by Esther in 7:5-7. Haman and his entire family is killed which goes to show that your sin can ruin your entire household. Generational curses. To this day Jews hate the name of Haman. Esther, the King and her Uncle Mordecai reign. E. We must get in position first, then stateWr requests, Not vice-versa, Est 7:3,4 1. The King gives Esther the entire House of Haman 8:7 a. "Wealth of the wicked is stored up for the Just!" b. Esther 9:26-29 Feast of Purim is written in History. F. Gifts, Blessings given 9:22 1. Masquerading, festivals, parades, noises, and focus is on children as well. 2. Jews of unwalled cities fought their enemies and won! a. Why can't we do the same today especially on the Internet?ruimi -wnupeuia, me iree encyclopedia Pageyol 17 Authorities who hold that women should not read the Megilla for themselves, because of an uncertainty as to which blessing they should recite upon the reading, nonetheless agree that they have an obligation to hear it read. According to these authorities if women, or men for that matter, cannot attend the services in the synagogue, the Megilla should be read for them in private by any male over the age of thirteen. Often in Orthodox communities there is a special public reading only for women, conducted either in a private home or in a synagogue, but the Megilla is read by a man. Some Modern Orthodox leaders have held that women can serve as public Megillah readers. Women's megilla readings have become increasingly common in more liberal Modern Orthodox Judaism, though women may only read for other women, according to Ashkenazi authorities.^3 In the Conservative Movement, Women serve as public Megillah readers. Giving of food gifts and charity Main article: Mishloach manot The Book of Esther prescribes "the sending of portions one man to another, and gifts to the poor" (9:22). Over time, this mitzvah has become one of the most prominent features of the celebration of Purim. According to the halakha, each Jew over the age of bar or bat mitzvah must send two different, ready-toeat foods to one friend, and two charitable donations (either money or food) to two poor people, to fulfill these two mitzvot.t38] The gifts to friends are called mishloach manot ("sending of portions"), and often include wine and pastries; alternately, sweets, snacks, salads or any foodstuff qualifies. Although the sending of mishloach manot is technically limited to one gift for one friend, for some the custom has evolved into a major gift-giving event. Families often prepare dozens of homemade and storebought food baskets to deliver to friends, neighbors, and relatives on Purim day. Charitable organizations, synagogues, Jewish schools and other groups also tap into the spirit of gift-giving by turning mishloach manot into a fund-raising device. These organizations collect money from members and either send out actual food gifts to other members, or mishloach manot "certificates" which indicate that a donation has been made to their organization. To fulfill the mitzvah of giving charity to two poor people, one can give either food or money equivalent to the amount of food that is eaten at a regular meal. It is better to spend more on charity than on the giving of mishloach manot.I ^ In the synagogue, regular collections of charity are made on the festival and the money is distributed among the needy. No distinction is made among the poor; anyone who is willing to accept charity is allowed to participate. It is obligatory upon the poorest Jew, even one who is himself dependent on charity, to give to other poor peopled Gaily wrapped baskets of sweets, snacks and other foodstuffs given as mishloach manot on Purim day. The Purim meal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purim 3/31/2010