Purim Program Resources 2018
By Moishe House Staff
Purim is begins the evening of February 28th and ends the evening of March 1st. Apply for your MHWOW Purim program ASAP!
See our helpful resources below:
Thoughts on Purim
Purim is about the capriciousness of life, the understanding that history can change on a whim, that life sometimes just is a roll of the dice (The Hebrew word Purim means dice or lots). One day a year we face this fear (its no wonder some people have a drink or two).
On Purim we dress up and wear costumes to remind ourselves that what you see is not what you get….that every person and every moment has a far greater depth than meets the eye. Things are not always as they seem: Mordechai is a pauper who becomes the Prime Minister, Haman in one day goes from being the kings right hand man to hanging in the public square, and a timid young girl named Esther really has a Queen inside her who saves the destiny of the Jewish people.
From Rabbi Brad Greenstein, Senior Director of Jewish Learning
There are 4 spiritual opportunities/mitzvot to do on Purim that are great MHWOW events:
- Hear the Purim Story/Megillah reading — here it is in cat gifs The entire story of Purim told in Cat gifs by Mordechai Lightstone, Community Member at Buzzfeed)
- Have a Feast — See more below!
- Send gifts to each other (Mishloach Manot) — 101 Mishloach Manot Ideas by Mara Strom, Kosher on a Budget
- Give gifts to the poor (Matanot L’evyonim)
“There is not greater or more wonderful joy, than to make happy the heart of a poor person, an orphan or a widow.” Mishnah Berurah — 19th century law code.
More Resources
- The Ultimate Purim Downloadable Learning and Resource Guide by Faustine Sigal, Director of International Jewish Education
- How To Purim (in Russian) by Tanya Zaytseva, RSJ Director of Jewish Education
- How to Make a LEGO Gragger (grogger? grawgerr?)
- Sushi Hamantaschen Recipe by Aly Miller, My Jewish Learning
Excerpt from Purim at Home — Seudat Purim Meal
A special festive meal, called Seudat Purim, is eaten on Purim afternoon. It is at this meal that the sages permitted an unusually great amount of levity and drinking. In the Talmud, Rava said, “A person should be so exhilarated (with drink) on Purim that he does not know between ‘cursed be Haman’ and ‘blessed be Mordecai.’” The words “that he does not know” (Hebrew: ad lo yada) comprise one of the themes of the Purim celebration. The drinking is also related to the fact that the victory over Haman began at a banquet of wine to which Esther invited Ahasuerus and Haman. (Ad lo yada is also the name of an elaborate parade with floats, bands, marchers, costumes and dancing in the streets and squares of Israel during Purim.)
How to Fold Hamantaschen
Happy Purim Everyone!
