This morning, the streets are fairly quiet. Yesterday evening was filled with the sights and sounds of the celebration of Purim. This is the holiday that commemorates the Jewish deliverance by the hand of Queen Esther. We were outside for a little while last evening, but we came back inside when things started getting a little too wild and crazy to suit us. Many people were adorned with costumes, some of them posing as Esther, Mordecai, or Haman. It is a bit like Halloween without all the diabolical undercurrents. With the exception of a witch or two and a few skeletons, most of the costumes were pirates, princesses, and the like.
One book I read quotes the Talmud as saying that during Purim Jews should "drink so much that you can't tell the difference between Mordecai and Haman." Apparently, Talmudic writers were trying to emulate the banquets of wine that Esther prepared, although Scripture does not indicate that anyone present at those banquets were intoxicated (Esther 5:6; 7:2). To their credit, however, while we did see more alcohol than usual, some people were drinking non-alcoholic beverages or nothing at all.
People were yelling, singing, and dancing. Every few minutes, someone would throw a firecracker into the crowd and a few girls would scream, adding to the festive chaos. All of the buildings here are made from Jerusalem stone, and since they are so close together, they capture and magnify sound. It was a loud night and we could hear the sounds of celebration into the early morning hours.
This holiday is called Purim because Haman cast lots, or Pur, to determine the date when the Jews should be destroyed (Esther 3:7, 13; 9:28).
A Jewish friend told us that Purim is celebrated one month before Pesach, or Passover. He said that this is significant. In Passover we see the undeniable, magnificent hand of God working openly. It was a spectacular deliverance. In Purim, we see God working behind the scenes to deliver His people. The lesson is that, even if God's hand is not clearly visible, we can be assured He has not forgotten us and is still working. Although God's name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, He is there nonetheless.
One book I read quotes the Talmud as saying that during Purim Jews should "drink so much that you can't tell the difference between Mordecai and Haman." Apparently, Talmudic writers were trying to emulate the banquets of wine that Esther prepared, although Scripture does not indicate that anyone present at those banquets were intoxicated (Esther 5:6; 7:2). To their credit, however, while we did see more alcohol than usual, some people were drinking non-alcoholic beverages or nothing at all.
People were yelling, singing, and dancing. Every few minutes, someone would throw a firecracker into the crowd and a few girls would scream, adding to the festive chaos. All of the buildings here are made from Jerusalem stone, and since they are so close together, they capture and magnify sound. It was a loud night and we could hear the sounds of celebration into the early morning hours.
This holiday is called Purim because Haman cast lots, or Pur, to determine the date when the Jews should be destroyed (Esther 3:7, 13; 9:28).
A Jewish friend told us that Purim is celebrated one month before Pesach, or Passover. He said that this is significant. In Passover we see the undeniable, magnificent hand of God working openly. It was a spectacular deliverance. In Purim, we see God working behind the scenes to deliver His people. The lesson is that, even if God's hand is not clearly visible, we can be assured He has not forgotten us and is still working. Although God's name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, He is there nonetheless.
No comments:
Post a Comment