1. After it was decided that the book of Esther would be included in the books of the Bible, our sages said that it should be read publicly, twice, from a scroll - once on the eve of Purim and the second time on the day of Purim, at the end of the morning prayers (Shacharit).
2. The Purim meal which includes wine and meat is celebrated with fun and merriment, songs and parodies, and a special Purim cake called Hamantasch (the pocket of Haman; in Hebrew, the ear of Haman).
3. Purim gifts: This Mitzva is mentioned in the book of Esther (9,2,2) "an occasion for sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor". Usually people send two kinds of cooked dishes.
4. Presents to the poor: People give at least two presents to two poor people, not necessarily food.
Imagine everyone in England, the U.S.A. - or in fact anywhere in the world - dressing up in fancy dress for 2 or 3 days on the trot. You would think they were mad wouldn't you?
In Israel, Purim is a 'fancy dress holiday' - everyone enjoys this opportunity to dress up in as original a costume as they can think of and showing it off in the streets for all to admire!
The excitement begins about a month and a half before Purim - parents begin to help their children plan the costumes they'll be wearing this year - will it be Queen Esther again or a Ninja Turtle? Perhaps King Ahasueros, Superman, or then again maybe a Rabbi? Children in Israel have a Purim party at kindergarten or at school every year, and they look forward to seeing the different costumes worn. Everyone will be watching out to see who is wearing what, and how funny, different or interesting friends and strangers look.
But it's not only the children and teenagers who take advantage of this fun Jewish holiday! Grown-ups enjoy it too, organising fancy dress parties and some even go to work dressed up in something comical! The Israelis never fail in finding a reason to celebrate!
Try walking in Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv and you'll be surrounded by kings, queens, convicts, martians, witches and others! You won't be able to hear yourself speak, for all the rattles rattling and the happy chatter and screams of excited people.
Every year, the municipalities and local districts organise an 'ADLOYADA', a parade of youngsters from the regions' schools, all dressed up in a chosen theme. The crowds of children and their parents are enormous - a big street party in costume!
Yes, let's imagine the world in costume for a day!
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