Today is the last day of Purim: a two-day celebration which
begins at sundown on the fourteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month of the Jewish
calendar. It commemorates the happy outcome of the account of Esther, Mordecai,
Haman and King Ahasureus in Persian in the fifth century B.C. If you’re not
familiar with the tale (or if you knew it once and have since forgotten) you
really should look it up. It teaches that each of us has the power to effect
positive change, regardless of our lot in life, if we will just have the
courage to stand up. It also serves as a powerful warning to those who would
have us fear, hate and abuse people who are different from ourselves. Purim is
celebrated with food (of course), gifts, donations for the poor, and with a
retelling of the story of Esther.
No comments:
Post a Comment