By Lee B. Roberts
Journal Times | Posted: Friday, March 6, 2009 12:00 am
Cheering and booing are activities some may not associate with gatherings at a synagogue. Yet that's what will be going on at Racine's Beth Israel Sinai Congregation, and other synagogues around the world, next week when the Jewish holiday of Purim (pronounced poor-im) is celebrated.
Purim, which this year starts at sundown on Monday and continues through Tuesday, is a celebration of the salvation of the Jews, as told in the biblical Book of Esther.
"It is a time of happiness," said Martyn Adelberg, rabbi at Beth Israel Sinai. "It is a fun holiday that is about religious freedom and rescue."
The cheering and booing take place when the story of the Book of Esther, also known as the megillah (scroll), is read aloud as part of the holiday festivities. The ancient tale, which revolves around King Ahasuerus, his Queen Esther, his power-hungry viceroy Haman and Esther's cousin Mordecai, focuses on Esther's bravery in revealing her identity as a Jew to the king in order to save her people from the genocide that the vengeful Haman seeks to carry out.
Every time Haman's name is read, people stomp their feet, hiss, boo or shake noisemakers to obliterate it.
"And every time Esther is mentioned, people will cheer and make some noise," said Jeff Collen, a member of Beth Israel Sinai who celebrates Purim each year both with his congregation and his family. "It is lots of fun."
A time for giving
The rowdy reading is one of several ways Jews have been marking this holiday for more than 2,500 years. Many celebrations also include a festive meal, in honor of the Feast of Esther, which is talked about in the megillah. Special foods are served, including the traditional triangle-shaped Purim cookies called Hamantashen, which are said to be modeled after Haman's three-cornered hat.
Purim is also a time for helping those who are in need and giving to neighbors and friends, Adelberg explained. Gifts such as food baskets and sweets are exchanged, and money is donated to charity in observance of the holiday.
For traditional Jews, such giving is done in accordance to the mitzvahs that are associated with Purim. A mitzvah is a commandment that relates to Jewish observance and religious practice, and such observances are believed to give the promise of living an enlightened and meaningful existence, according to the Web site http://www.torah.org
Some congregations also hold Purim carnivals or festivals, and it is customary for Jews to dress in masks or costumes representing people from the Book of Esther for such occasions, as well as for readings of the megillah.
Collen said his daughters, MaxAnna, 8, and Solomyn, 7, enjoy dressing up as Esther when they attend the reading of the megillah at Beth Israel Sinai. And he and his family also like to make and eat Hamantashen at this time of year.
Defining momentWhile Purim is a joyous time, it also brings with it some serious reflection of a very important period in Jewish history, Collen said.
"Purim celebrates one of the defining moments in our history as a people," he said.
If that moment - when Esther chose to risk her life to stand up for her people - had played out differently, all could have been lost for the Jews, Collen explained.
"Our Esther's bravery saved everybody and saved the Jewish people," he said. "So we celebrate."
And, while Purim is a Jewish holiday, its messages can be appreciated by all people, Adelberg said.
"Everyone should know what it is to fight for freedom," the rabbi said. "Freedom is inherent to every group."
The teachings of Purim can also help us to realize that it is possible to retain our own identity while being a part of society, and to reinforce the position of tolerance in society, he said.
"That is what makes America a richer country."
In celebration of Purim, a reading of the megillah will be held at Beth Israel Sinai Congregation, 944 Main St., at 7 p.m. on Monday. For more information, call Beth Israel Sinai at (262) 633-7093 or go to
http://www.bethisraelsinai.org
Traditional HamantashenHamantashen, classic Purim cookies, are triangular shaped treats that are said to represent Haman's three-cornered hat. Fillings can be mixed and matched. Prune butter and poppy seed are traditional fillings, but any kind of jam or preserves can be used.
Ingredients:
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
½ cup oil
Juice of one lemon
Rind of 1 lemon, grated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
Fillings:
1 pound prepared poppy seed filling or, 1 pound lekvar (apple or prune butter), or 1 pound strawberry or apricot preserves.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. Beat eggs and sugar. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Divide dough into four parts. On a floured board, roll out each portion to about 1/8-inch thick. Using a round biscuit or cookie cutter, cut 3-inch circles. Place 1/2 to 2/3 teaspoon of desired filling in the center of each circle. To shape into triangle, lift up right and left sides, leaving the bottom down and bring both side to meet at the center above the filling. Bring top flap down to the center to meet the two sides. Pinch edges together. Place on greased cookie sheet 1 inch apart and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Yields about 50 cookies, depending on size of cookie cutter.
Recipe source: http://www.chabad.org