Q. What do we do on Purim?
A. Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people from the clutches of Haman, the wicked Persian premier in the days of the Persian Empire almost 2,400 years ago. After the Jewish people were saved and Haman was killed, Mordechai and Esther (the heroes of the story), created the holiday of Purim (with the consent of the Sanhedrin – the Jewish High court) which is celebrated every year on the Hebrew date of the 13th of Adar.
There are 4 unique Mitzvot that we do on Purim are; hearing the Megillah being read, Mishloach Manot – giving gifts of food to friends, Matanot Laevyonim – giving gifts to the poor and partaking in a feast. The Megillah is the tale of Purim as written by its original heroes. The Megillah is written in a parchment scroll and read in the Synagogue on the eve of Purim and on Purim day.
Gift of food – fill a basked or container with at least two different foods and give it to a friend (you can give gifts to as many friends as you like). Gifts to the poor – we never celebrate without thinking of the poor as well. Give gifts or money to at least two poor people. Finally we have a feast or party to celebrate the holiday.
In addition, it is also a custom to dress in costumes on Purim and to eat triangular pastries called hamentashen. Most important of all, Purim is a time to be happy, rejoice and be proud that we are Jewish.
Learn more about the Purim story here