Purim

Taanit Esther The Fast of Esther
Who Was Esther
Esther was born Hadassah, she was the Queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus - Xerxes I. The name Esther is derived from Persian Satarah, meaning star. Esther is considered a prophet in Judaism and a whole book - Book of Esther - is dedicated to her in the Jewish and Christian Bibles. She was raised by her cousin Mordecai as her parents died early. Modern day Persian Jews are referred to as "Esther's Children". Keep reading to know why Taanit Esther or the Fast of Esther is observed on Purim ...

Jewish Festivals: Purim Costumes For Kids' Plays
Purim Costume Dress Up Ideas!
The Jewish holiday of Purim will be celebrated on March 7th and 8th in 2012 and many Jewish kids will be dressing up in beautiful costumes to mark the deliverance of the Jews from the evil plot hatched by Haman in Ancient Persia. Are you looking for Purim costume ideas for your child? Here's your chance to keep the customs of masquerades and plays alive by choosing from among the great fancy dress costumes highlighted here. Each one is significant, so take your pick. So, would you like to see...

Purim Books for Kids
So Many Fun Purim Books!
Purim is often considered the most fun and most child-centered of the Jewish holidays. When else do kids get to dress up, make noise, shout and generally have fun at a religious celebration? Summing it in one sentence, Purim is based on the story told in bible's Book of Esther, in which Queen Ester, with the aid of her cousin Mordecai prevent the "evil" Haman from exterminating the Jewish people of ancient Persia. The story is re-told each Purim, so it is no surprise that there are so many gr...

Purim, the Book of Esther Holiday
The Purim Holiday: About Ancient Persian Politics
There was a king named Ahashverosh, and his evil advisor Haman. They tried to kill the Jews. The Jews won. Now we eat Hamantashen. In the Talmud, we learn that when there are two months of Adar, we celebrate Purim in the second (leap) month. This in order to juxtapose Purim to Passover, "from redemption to redemption". The Passover story features God Almighty as the ultimate Redeemer, with his sidekick Moses leading the way. The Purim story does not even have the name of God once in the S...

Purim A Jewish Holiday
Purim - Danger, Intrigue and Death
Purim is a Jewish Holiday celebrated in late February or Early March of every year. There is feasting and gift giving and story telling. The story telling involves a good king, a beautiful and faithful queen, an evil villain and a dotting uncle (okay so he was her cousin, but uncle sounds better in the tellling of the story). Purim celebrates courage in the face of danger, uncovering intrigue designed to destroy a nation and victory in the face of death. Photo Credit: Davenjilli