Where’s your costume?

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Today is a holiday.  It is the first day of Purim. (Purim means “Lots”- as in the lottery.  We just didn’t really win this lottery.).  My family has always celebrated Shushan Purim, the name for the second day; most Ashkenazi Jews rarely celebrate it- for them, it’s a one day holiday.  The Purim holiday celebrates the ploys of Esther (also known as Hadassah), the Jewish Queen of Babylonia,  and her uncle (godfather?) Mordechai.

Purim
Purim (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just reading the Book of Esther in English deprives you of the lustrousness of this little book.  After all, the names of most of the Babylonian characters in this story are akin to those of the various Babylonian gods- from Vashti to Haman to Teresh. Interestingly, this the only book in the Tanach (the Hebrew bible) that has no mention of Hashem.  Oh, the effect of the Supreme Being is clearly felt- but Hashem is never directly mentioned in the text.

The Book of Esther is clearly among the most bawdy – and most violent- of the books in the Tanach.  From the very first chapter where Vashti refuses to perform nude for her husband, King Achashverosh (you know him as Xerxes), and the officers of the court.  Which leads to the end of Vashti.

Which brings about the first ‘Miss Universe’ contest.  Achashverosh holds a beauty contest to determine who would be Vashti’s replacement.  And, Esther becomes the first Jewish woman to win the contest- centuries before Bess Meyerson became the first Jewish Miss America.

Achashverosh was the perfect 1%-er.  He was more than willing to off a good portion of his kingdom’s residents for the right price.  A price which Haman (his Prime Minister) was more than willing to provide.  Haman’s unstated goal (to Achashverosh) was to get rid of his nemesis, Mordechai.  The bonus for Haman- killing every other Jew in the kingdom.

So, it appears that Haman gets his wish, and determines (via a lottery- the “lots” in the Purim story) that all the Jews shall be slaughtered on the full moon of the month of Adar.  The edict is spread to the 127 provinces of the realm- from Europe to India.  Haman also has a special surprise for Mordechai- the tallest gallows he could construct.

But,  there’s a flaw in the ointment.  Achashverosh is absolutely smitten with his queen, Esther. He is willing to provide anything (even “half his kingdom”) to Esther, if she will service his needs.  (You do note he extends his “golden sceptre” to her often…)  And, when it becomes clear to him that Esther is a Jew, coupled with him finding Haman on Esther’s bed (out of context, but clearly not the proper place for Haman to be hanging around),  there’s a change in plans.  Achashverosh can’t reverse the edict (pride?)- but, instead he allows the Jews of the kingdom to retaliate and kill their opponents at that same appointed time.

Don’t be surprised to see a whole bunch of kids (and kids who never grew up) marching around in costumes.  Because we celebrate this holiday by giving candy, cakes (three-cornered tarts called Hamantaschen), and wearing costumes- kind of like how y’all celebrate Halloween.  But, we have another wrinkle in our celebration.

There is a most unusual commandment for today.  We are instructed to drink enough (alcohol, of course) to be unable to discern the difference between the hero (Mordechai) and the villain (Haman) of the book.  And, since most of us include our  children in this tradition, the practice serves as a deterrent to excess drinking as the children grow and mature; they remember the experience with far less than fondness…

Happy Purim…

Purim day, Purim day, What a joyous holiday…

Masks to wear, Sweets to eat, Songs and dances to perform…

Let’s make a racket, “rash, rash, rash”…with our graggers swinging.

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6 thoughts on “Where’s your costume?”

    1. Oh, sorry, Holly.
      A gragger is (typically) a metal or plastic device that you swing around in your hand that makes noise. A lot of noise. (Some folks use plastic hammers that go bop when you hit them. We find too many kids find those convenient to bop someone on the head….)

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