CELEBRATE PURIM 2023 WITH JEWISH SOCIETY & HAMENTASHEN
Join Herts SU & Jewish Society in Bellingham Common Room, College Lane to learn about the wonderful celebration of Purim, the Festival of Lots.
Hosted during the day before the start of Purim, grab a free sweet treat before getting to know Herts' Jewish Society & how you can get involved with the Purim celebrations.
Is a ticket required?
No - tickets are not required for this event. Just drop by!
What is Purim?
Purim is the jolly Jewish Holiday celebrated on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/early spring). It is to commemorate the salvation of the Jewish people in the Ancient Persian empire, stopping Haman's plot to destroy and kill all Jews.
In synagogues, Jewish communities gather to listen to a recitation of the Megillah (Book of Esther), some people may be dressed in colourful costumes or wearing masks to represent the characters found in the Megillah. Purim gift baskets called Mishloach Manot may also be exchanced on this occusion as well as Hamentashen (triangular filled-pocket pastry).
Purim means "lots" in ancient Persian. The holiday was called this since Haman had thrown lots to dertemine when would carry out his diabolical scheme.
The Persian Empire of the 4th century extended over 127 lands. After King Ahasuerus excecuted his Queen Vashti, he arranged to a beauty pageant to find his new queen. A Jewish girl, Esther found favor in the kings eyes and became Qeen, although King Ahasuerus was unaware of her nationality. At this point, the Jew-hating Haman was appointed Prime Minister of the empire. Esther's cousin and leader of the Jews, Mordechai, refused to bow to the new prime minister and as such angered Haman. Haman convinved the king to issue a decree to exterminate all Jews on the 13th of Adar, a date chosen by a lottery Haman made.
Mordechai convinced all the Jews to repent, fast and pray to G-d. Meanwhile, Esther invited the King and Haman to join her for a feast, at a subsequent feast, she revealed to the king her Jewish identity. Haman was hanged and Mordechai was appointed as the replacement prime minister. Ester and Mordechai issued a new decree, granting all Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies.
On the 13th of Adar, the Jews killed many of their enemies. On the 14th day of Adar, they rested and celebrated. In the capital city of Shushan, they took one more day to kill their enemies. As such, the holiday Purim was established to commemorate the salvation of the Jewish people in Ancient Persia.
For further information about Purim, click here.
When is Purim?
This year, Purim will start on the evening of Monday, March 6, 2023. It continues through Tuesday, March 7, 2023 and continues through Wednesday in Jerusalem. Each year, Purim begins on the 14th of the Herbew month of Adar, which is the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar. So why does it fall on a different day each year? The Hebrew calendar is a lunar one, which means it's based on the cycles of the moon. Meanwhile, the Gregorian calendar, which is the one most of us use every day, is a solar calendar. That means it's based on the Earth's movement around the sun. Since the calendars follow different cycles, a holiday the falls on a fixed date on one calendar will fall on a different day each year on the other.
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Not based on this campus? Not to worry. Did you know we have a shuttle bus that takes you between College Lane Campus and de Havilland Campus and it's completely free!