One day a year, there is a very special atmosphere among the Jewish community. Study, concentration and seriousness give way to unbridled joy, shouting, laughter, disguises, alcohol, banquets and noise in the synagogues. Jews are festive during this tradition called Purim, celebrated towards the end of winter (in February or March depending on the year).

What do they celebrate with such jubilation? The heart of the Jewish holiday of Purim is essentially the remembrance of an adventurous story set in the ancient Persian kingdom that is emblematic of all the dangers faced by the entire people of Israel for millennia: it tells how Queen Esther, an unknown Jewish woman, succeeded in thwarting the plan of Haman, the king’s grand vizier, who had decided to exterminate the Jewish people dispersed throughout the empire. The Jews thus established an annual festival, called Purim, to commemorate this miracle.

The book of Esther – the name of the twenty-first book of the Hebrew Bible – must be listened to together, gathered around the parchment that contains it while the readers take turns reciting it aloud.

On the occasion of this celebration, the Jews gradually got into the habit of dressing up and celebrating each year for one day. Why dress up? Various explanations have been put forward. While some see it as a tribute to the art of concealment that Esther had to deploy to save her life and that of her people, others see the costumes as representative of the concealment of God’s name in the book of Esther. Indeed, the word “God” never appears in the book, but it is hidden. Moreover, the very name “Esther” means “concealment”.

Want to know more? See you on March 6th to discover the Purim festival from the inside thanks to our speaker!