Purim 2015 in pictures: What is it and how is the Jewish festival celebrated?
Purim is known as the 'Jewish Mardis Gras'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jewish people around the world celebrated the annual flamboyant festival of Purim over the past two days with fancy dress costumes and big parties.
What is Purim?
It is a festival to celebrate the salvation of Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day” around 2,500 years ago.
How is it celebrated?
The Book of Esther – which recounts the Purim story – is read the night before the celebrations begin after a day-long fast and also during the following morning. Noise, stomping, booing and hissing are encouraged by everyone whenever the name Haman is mentioned.
Parties are held with lots of dancing, singing, drinking and eating. Drinking at least one glass of wine is also expected as the drink is significant in the story of Esther.
Fancy dress costumes are donned by both children and adults and all those who can afford it are obliged to give money to charity.
When is it celebrated?
Purim is usually held over two days on the 14th and 15th days of Adar, the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar that usually falls in March.
Who is Esther?
Esther was chosen to be the wife and Queen of King Ahasuerus (believed to be Xerxes I) of Persia. When the King’s adviser, Haman, persuades him to kill all the Jews in the empire, Queen Esther’s cousin and adopted father, Mordecai, calls on her to use her influence to stop the planned massacre.
The tale is told in the Book of Esther, known as the Megillah, and ends with Haman’s hanging and the Jewish people being saved.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments