dsg@mhuxi.UUCP (GREEN) (03/01/84)
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Some notes vis-a-vis Purim in Queens, New York, Orthodox:
Purim is a Hebrew term which means "Casting of Lots". The Holiday
lasts only one day and all necessary labor is permitted. There is much
feasting and merry-making associated with Purim. Appetites are enhanced by
observing the fast day of Ta'anis Esther, which occurs the day before Purim.
Ta'anis Esther was the day appointed by Haman for the execution of his edict
against the Jews. On this day Esther's realm fasted and prayed to G-d for
deliverence. The noise-making comes in mostly during the Reading of the Megillah, at the mention of Haman's name, and is produced mainly by the use of the
"gragger" and the stamping of feet.
1. The 13 day of ADAR, the day before Purim, is a day of public fast.
This year it occurs on THURSDAY MARCH 15, 1984.
2. On the eve and the following morning on Purim Day, the Megillah must be
read. Every word of it must be heard carefully. Woman have equal obligation
with men to listen to the reading both at night and the next day.
3. On Purim, in the Shemone-esrei and in Grace after meals, "Al Hanissim"
must be said; but if one has inadvertantly ommitted it, one does not have
to repeat either.
4. On the day of Purim "mishloach manot" should be observed.
5. Mishloach mones can be observed by giving at least one friend two kinds
of edibles such as cake, fruit, beverages, etc.
6. On the day of Purim evereyone should also observe matanot l'evyonim;
giving donations to at least to poor people. If no poor person is in the
vicinity, one may put money in a tezedkah box.
7. On the afternoon of Purim, a special feast "seudat purim" should be
celebrated, wherin everyone rejoices with the wonderful micracle of Purim.
Usually this is done dtowards the end of the day continuing into the night, in
order that we may celebrate both Purim and Shushan Purim. We then say "al
Hanissim" even if it is dark.
--->FOR THOSE AT A PLACE OF BUSINESS WHO ARE UNABLE TO BE AT THEIR HOME
DINING TABLE, I SUGGEST THAT AN EXTRA SANDWICH BE TAKEN ALONG TO WORK
AND DURING THE COFFEE BREAK, A MOETZI BE MADE AND GRACE RECITED WITH
THE INTENT OF FULLFILLING THE MITZVAH OF SEUDAS PURIM.
8. The 15 day of ADAR is called "shushan purim". It is customary to make
somewhat of a feast and rejoice. It is permitted to marry on shushan
purim, but on Purim itself, no marriages should take place because no
joy should be intermixed with another. Al Hanissim is not said on
Shushan Purim.
9. Special food traditionally connected with purim are eaten at this
Seudah. They include hamantashen, three cornered pastries fashioned
after Hamans hat, which was the symbol of his high office.
_____________________________
Did you know that?
The first Purim was celebrated in the year 3405, which was 2339 years
ago!
Lag Baomer always occur on the same day as Purim which can only occur
on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday.
That "ADLOYADAH" refers to a Purim carnival? The name comes from the
traditional injunction tha "ON THIS DAY ONE SHOULD DRINK 'ADLO YA-DAH'
(TILL ONE KNOWS NOT) THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'BERUCH MORDECHAI (BLESSED
BE MORDECHAI) AND 'ARER HAMAN' (CURSED BE HAMAN)."
That in the world-to-come, all other parts of the prophets and writings
will lose their worth and only the TORAH OF MOSES and the BOOK OF
ESTHER will retain their value.
There ae 3 holidays on which kreplach are traditionally eaten,
Purim, Hoshanna Rabba, and Erev Yom Kippur. We associate
kreplach with beatings; e.g., Haman took a beating on Purim, the willow
gets beaten on Hoshanna Rabba, and the human beats in prayer on Yom
Kippur.
THIS YEAR PURIM OCCURS ON SUNDAY MARCH 18, 1984.
THE 13 OF ADAR FALLS ON SHABBOS MARCH 17, 1984;
SINCE IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO FAST ON SHABBOS FOR THE FAST OF ESTHER,
THE FAST WILL BE OBSERVED ON THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1984.
As I said, thats how we observe/celebrate PURIM in my little corner of
Hymietown, in an orthodox way.
From the desk of Hymie's Cousin;
HAPPY PURIM!
David Seth Green
Bell Labs
path ..floyd!mhuxi!dsg
P. S. Please excuse the Hebrew and Yiddish spelling, does anyone out there
have Hspell or Jspell?shg@pyuxu.UUCP (S Gamoran) (03/01/84)
A minor correction.
Taanit Esther (the fast of Esther) is Thursday March 15 this year.
While normally it is the 13th of Adar, this year because the 13th of
Adar is Shabbat it is pushed back to Thursday the 11th of Adar.
Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B'simchah
Rejoice! Purim is coming
Sam Gamoran
Bell Communications Research
pyuxu!shg
201-981-6320