2007-02-25 07:08:15 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I thought Rabbis were not supposed to make bets.
2007-02-25 14:54:18 · update #1
This year, Purim begins at sundown on March 3; it's not anywhere near Halloween!
The Book of Esther is one of only two books in the entire Bible that doesn't mention God directly (the other one is the Song of Solomon). This deeply meaningful book documents how God placed a humble Jewish girl in the right place at the right time so she would be made Queen of Persia (roughly modern-day Iran -- how ironic!). Because Esther was Queen, she was able to stop an evil plot by Haman (boo hiss!) to kill all Jews. The word "Purim" means "lots," which were drawn by Haman to determine which on which day the Jews would be annhilated.
Here's a synopsis of the entire story:
http://www.holidays.net/purim/story2.htm
Or, even better yet, you can read the Book of Esther here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=19&chapter=1&version=50
2007-02-25 07:35:42 · answer #1 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Purim, one of the later Jewish festivals. Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Persian Jews from destruction in the reign of the Persian king Ahasuerus, or Xerxes I, as recorded in the Book of Esther. Held on the 14th and 15th days of the Jewish month of Adar (in the spring), it is celebrated by feasting and merriment, almsgiving, sending food to neighbors and friends, and chanting the text of Esther. It is perhaps the most joyous day of the Jewish year, with masquerades, plays, and drinking of wine even in the synagogue.
NO, it is not a Jewish Hallowe'en . It may SEEM like it since there are "... with masquerades ...". On the other hand, it's NOT considered a "Holloween" as we 'celebrate' it here in the States.
2007-02-25 15:18:40 · answer #2 · answered by topper_9090 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The feast of Purim is celebrated by the Jews in rememberance of when God saved Israel from distruction using Esther, who was the queen at that time. Read the book of Esther in the Old Testament. Pretty cool.
2007-02-25 15:14:22 · answer #3 · answered by Jouvert 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday in the Hebrew month of Adar.
Jews who celebrate Hallowe'en celebrate it on October 31st.
Esther was a Persian-born Jew who hid her Jewishness and showed kindness to the Jews as a royal.
2007-02-25 15:14:20 · answer #4 · answered by klb_72 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Purim is the feast of lots, which celebrates God's deliverance of the jews in persia..(Iran)......Hamin conspired to destroy the entire nation, but Esther, the queen interceeded for the Jews.....
2007-02-25 15:14:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Purim is the Jewish celebration that commemorates the story of Esther. It's mere coincidence that it takes place near Halloween.
(The local Rabbi here has an on-going bet with the kids in his synagogue that he can make the loudest noise-maker.)
2007-02-25 15:13:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
look at myjewishlearning.com for many articles on the subject.
ask moses.com is great if you want your judaism questions answered live by an orthodox rabbi.
2007-02-25 15:16:38 · answer #7 · answered by mommynow 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just to complement, it have no relation on Halloween, in fact is on march +/- so its far from Halloween.
But, yes we dress costumes and masques, and drink, not just to show joy, but because on this state we are able to do much things we wouldn't normally do, and so its good to go "wild" once at year.
2007-02-25 15:21:56 · answer #8 · answered by davidhaoman 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
purim,is a wicked festivel,we party,dress up,get drunk,and everything else,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2007-02-28 13:20:11 · answer #9 · answered by l.l.l.l.l.l.l 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋