I've lost track of how many times I've been asked, "What's that ?!" whenever the word Purim is mentioned. Purim is the equivalent to us what Christmas is to most people. But it's way more fun in my opinion! So let me try to explain some of what goes on during those three fun-filled days...
If you were to see Purim listed on one of the few calendars that do include this relatively unknown holiday, it would most likely inform you that Purim 2014 is celebrated on March 16th. But the Purim holiday officiallly starts the evening before, as it is a Jewish holiday and Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the previous day. Now, we do not celebrate Purim as the Jewish people do; in fact we had never heard of it prior to reading about it in the Bible. Instead, we celebrate it in our own unique and fun way.
First though, let me tell you what the Bible has to say about this day, as this is the whole reason behind why we celebrate when we do (that, and the fact that Christmas has become something entirely different from what it was meant to be). You can find the entire story behind the beginnings of the Purim holiday in the book of Esther. But the verse I want to highlight is Esther 9:22: "And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar... that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor. So they called these days Purim, after the name Pur (meaning lots)."
Did you know that this is the only holiday in the Bible to mention the giving of gifts to one another? This is why we decided to begin giving gifts not on Christmas but on Purim.
Now I shall try to give you a glimpse of what Purim is like in our household...
Purim, as I have said, began sundown on Saturday, March 15th this year. All up until this time everyone was hurrying to finish last minute details and get all of their presents together. This year we also had a keyboard recital (see Kath's blog: Family Updates for pics). But the fun truly began Saturday evening at 6:58pm which was the official time that the sun went down that day. Everyone gathered in the family room dressed in their finest, and we started off the holiday with a great big cheer (which if you can imagine, was about 14 voices strong)! We danced, holding hands, to the tune of Taseh Mitzvah by Michoel Pruzansky - a song made especially for Purim... and danced, and danced, and... you get the picture. This is the part, I think, that is hardest for people to imagine unless if they were to see it for themselves - all the fun that we have. Because we have sixteen people in our family, we can have four times the fun of a normal sized family!
If you were to see Purim listed on one of the few calendars that do include this relatively unknown holiday, it would most likely inform you that Purim 2014 is celebrated on March 16th. But the Purim holiday officiallly starts the evening before, as it is a Jewish holiday and Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the previous day. Now, we do not celebrate Purim as the Jewish people do; in fact we had never heard of it prior to reading about it in the Bible. Instead, we celebrate it in our own unique and fun way.
First though, let me tell you what the Bible has to say about this day, as this is the whole reason behind why we celebrate when we do (that, and the fact that Christmas has become something entirely different from what it was meant to be). You can find the entire story behind the beginnings of the Purim holiday in the book of Esther. But the verse I want to highlight is Esther 9:22: "And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar... that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor. So they called these days Purim, after the name Pur (meaning lots)."
Did you know that this is the only holiday in the Bible to mention the giving of gifts to one another? This is why we decided to begin giving gifts not on Christmas but on Purim.
Now I shall try to give you a glimpse of what Purim is like in our household...
Purim, as I have said, began sundown on Saturday, March 15th this year. All up until this time everyone was hurrying to finish last minute details and get all of their presents together. This year we also had a keyboard recital (see Kath's blog: Family Updates for pics). But the fun truly began Saturday evening at 6:58pm which was the official time that the sun went down that day. Everyone gathered in the family room dressed in their finest, and we started off the holiday with a great big cheer (which if you can imagine, was about 14 voices strong)! We danced, holding hands, to the tune of Taseh Mitzvah by Michoel Pruzansky - a song made especially for Purim... and danced, and danced, and... you get the picture. This is the part, I think, that is hardest for people to imagine unless if they were to see it for themselves - all the fun that we have. Because we have sixteen people in our family, we can have four times the fun of a normal sized family!
After we had danced for quite a while it was time to start handing out gifts. We do the giving of gifts in two parts: The youngest six give their gifts on the first day of Purim, and the older ones give their gifts on the following day. That way the younger ones are not overshadowed - and we don't have to hand out all 240 gifts in one day!
Sunday morning, we gathered for the second round of gift giving. After all the gifts had been handed out, everyone had time to look everything over, and admire the gifts that the others had gotten as well. The rest of the day was mostly spent in organizing and in enjoying all the new gifts. Sunday evening we set up a backdrop for photos, and take pictures of everyone dressed up in their fancy Purim outfits.
But Purim does not end here. Purim lasts for two days; therefore the fun continued until Monday evening at sundown. Monday morning, we held an indoor "garage sale" of sorts, where all the younger ones could get rid of their old toys to make room for the new ones. They each set up their little stands, and everyone joined in the trading and buying. At the very end, Dad will come and make an offer for everything left unsold, and his offer is usually accepted eagerly. After "garage sales" comes the "auction". Dad is the auctioneer. He doles out a certain number of "auction bucks" to each person present, and the auction gets underway. Toys, snack items, and craft supplies are a few of the items on the auction block. Everyone has fun bidding on items - even the youngest, Joshua. After the last item is auctioned off, more fun is underway... and more playing... and more dancing.
At last, Purim draws to a close. I go outside and watch the sun set, and enjoy the beautiful evening. Now we just have to wait one year until next Purim... :)
Sunday morning, we gathered for the second round of gift giving. After all the gifts had been handed out, everyone had time to look everything over, and admire the gifts that the others had gotten as well. The rest of the day was mostly spent in organizing and in enjoying all the new gifts. Sunday evening we set up a backdrop for photos, and take pictures of everyone dressed up in their fancy Purim outfits.
But Purim does not end here. Purim lasts for two days; therefore the fun continued until Monday evening at sundown. Monday morning, we held an indoor "garage sale" of sorts, where all the younger ones could get rid of their old toys to make room for the new ones. They each set up their little stands, and everyone joined in the trading and buying. At the very end, Dad will come and make an offer for everything left unsold, and his offer is usually accepted eagerly. After "garage sales" comes the "auction". Dad is the auctioneer. He doles out a certain number of "auction bucks" to each person present, and the auction gets underway. Toys, snack items, and craft supplies are a few of the items on the auction block. Everyone has fun bidding on items - even the youngest, Joshua. After the last item is auctioned off, more fun is underway... and more playing... and more dancing.
At last, Purim draws to a close. I go outside and watch the sun set, and enjoy the beautiful evening. Now we just have to wait one year until next Purim... :)
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