Moses was born on the 7th of Adar of the year 2368 from creation (1393 BCE); accordingly, Adar 14 was the 8th day of his life and the day on which he was circumcised in accordance with the Divine command to Abraham.
The festival of Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman's plot "to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day."
The events of Purim extended over a period of several years, culminating in the victory celebrations of Adar 14-15 of 356 BCE. Below is a timeline of the major events. For the detailed story, see the Book of Esther and The Story of Purim
|
Event |
Date | |
|
Achashveirosh ascends the throne of Persia |
369 BCE | |
Achashveirosh's 180-day feast; Queen Vashti executed |
366 BCE | |
Esther becomes queen |
Tevet, 362 BCE | |
Haman casts lots to choose date for Jews' annihilation |
Nissan, 357 BCE | |
Royal decree ordering killing of all Jews |
Nissan 13, 357 BCE | |
Mordechai calls on Jews to repent; 3-day fast ordered by Esther |
Nissan 14-16, 357 BCE | |
Esther goes to Achashveirosh; hosts 1st wine party with Achashveirosh and Haman |
Nissan 16, 357 BCE | |
Esther's 2nd wine party; Haman's downfall and hanging |
Nissan 17, 357 BCE | |
|
Second decree issued by Achashveirosh, empowering the Jews to defend themselves |
Sivan 23, 357 BCE | |
|
Battles fought throughout the empire against those seeking to kill the Jews; Haman's ten sons killed |
Adar 13, 356 BCE | |
|
Purim celebrations everywhere, except Shushan where 2nd day of battles are fought |
Adar 14, 356 BCE | |
|
Purim celebration in Shushan |
Adar 15, 356 BCE | |
|
Megillah written by Esther and Mordechai; Festival of Purim instituted for all generations |
355 BCE |
On August 2, 1990, the Iraqi army under Saddam Hussein occupied Kuwait. After five weeks of heavy fighting, coalition forces succeeded in liberating Kuwait, and a ceasefire was declared on February 28, 1991, corresponding to the holiday of Purim.
Despite threats from Saddam to bombard Israel with chemical warheads, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson, stated unequivocally that “the Land of Israel is the safest place in the world,” and predicted that the war would be over by Purim.
Links: I Will Show You Wonders; Purim Saddam; End the War Now!
Purim observances include:
a) Reading of the Megillah (Book of Esther), which recounts the story of the Purim miracle.
b) Giving to the poor (gifts of money should be given to at least two poor people).
c) Sending gifts of food to friends (a minimum of two ready-to-eat foods to at least one friend).
d) The Purim feast.
e) Reciting the Al Hanissim prayer.
Customs include dressing up in disguising costumes and the traditional Purim food, the hamantash. For more detailed information, see links below.
(In Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities, the festival is observed tomorrow--see entries for Adar 15.)
Virtual Purim (a website offering the story of Purim, detailed How-To's, articles and essays, Purim songs and videos, and a global Purim event directory).
A special Purim site for kids
The book of Esther with commentary.
A Purim anthology
The great men who spied out the Land of Canaan returned and reported:
“We cannot go. They are stronger than us.”
They were brave, wise men, hand-picked by Moses. How could they have erred so disastrously?
Because, subconsciously, they never really wanted to leave the spiritual high of the desert for a life of tilling soil and building homes.
If they had only realized their true issue and asked Moses, he would have explained to them:
“This experience now is only the chrysalis. In the land, you will spread your wings.”
“From within these clouds of glory that surround us on our journey, you can perceive great light. There, in that earth, stone and clay, you will hold raw truth in your hands.”
And so to each of us Moses says:
Do not be afraid to emerge from your spiritual cocoon and enter that monstrous, formidable world.
As much as you can attain in your studies, even in deep contemplation and intense prayer, it will never come close to the wisdom that will open itself to you in your mission to build a home, give life, learn Torah, do mitzvahs, and lend a hand to others in a hostile universe.
Your eyes will see that which no book could tell, your heart will feel that which no thought could imagine.
In the joy that comes out of pain, in the sweetness that emerges from bitter suffering, this world will carry you to a place beyond anything your soul could otherwise have known.