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Purim - the Jewish festival of lots, the Book of Esther, and the survival of the Jewish people

Purim is a Jewish festival celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, commemorating the saving of the Jewish people from Haman's plot to destroy them, as recounted in the Book of Esther. The festival is marked by the public reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther), the giving of food gifts to friends, charity to the poor, and a festive meal.

IL

Religious observancePublished October 18, 2026

At a glanceReligious observance
Observed in
IL
Where observed
When
Feb - Mar
Frequency
Same date every year
Type
Days off
0 days - cultural observance only
Public status
Religious observance - schools / shops normally open
Last reviewed: October 18, 2026
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Purim is a Jewish festival celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, commemorating the saving of the Jewish people from Haman's plot to destroy them, as recounted in the Book of Esther. The festival is marked by the public reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther), the giving of food gifts to friends, charity to the poor, and a festive meal. Observed in Israel and Jewish diaspora communities worldwide.

The one-line summary

A Jewish festival celebrated on 14 Adar (February-March), commemorating the saving of the Jewish people from Haman's plot to annihilate them in the Persian Empire, as recounted in the Book of Esther. The festival is observed with the reading of the Megillah, the giving of food gifts and charity, and a festive meal. Named after the lots (purim) that Haman cast to choose the date of the planned massacre.

Origin

Purim is one of the youngest festivals in the Jewish calendar, with its origin in the events recorded in the Book of Esther. According to the Book of Esther, the vizier Haman plotted to annihilate the Jewish people of the Persian Empire in the 5th century BCE. The plot was foiled by Queen Esther and her uncle Mordecai, who persuaded the Persian king Ahasuerus to spare the Jews and to allow them to defend themselves. The festival of Purim was established to commemorate this deliverance.

The Book of Esther is the only book in the Hebrew Bible that does not explicitly mention God, and Purim is the only major Jewish festival whose origin is recorded in a book of the Ketuvim (Writings) rather than the Torah or the Nevi'im (Prophets). This has led to a long tradition of rabbinical commentary on the book, including the identification of God's hidden hand in the events of the story and the significance of Esther's name (which some commentators associate with the Hebrew word hester, meaning "hidden").

The Book of Esther

The Book of Esther (Megillat Esther) is the central text of Purim. The book tells the story of Esther, a Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia, and her uncle Mordecai, who foils Haman's plot to annihilate the Jewish people. The book is read in full in synagogue on the eve and morning of Purim, and is the basis for the obligation to hear the Megillah read once on Purim eve and once on Purim morning.

The Book of Esther is a short and dramatic narrative, with a clear villain (Haman), a clear hero (Mordecai), and a clear heroine (Esther). The book is also notable for its use of irony, including the irony of Haman being forced to lead Mordecai (whom he despised) on horseback through the streets of Susa, and the irony of the day of intended massacre becoming a day of Jewish victory and celebration. The book is widely studied and is the basis for the Jewish theological concept of hester panim (the hiding of God's face), which refers to the absence of explicit divine intervention in the story.

The historical accuracy of the Book of Esther is debated. Many historians identify Ahasuerus with Xerxes I (486-465 BCE), and the events of the book are consistent with what is known of the Persian Empire in this period. Other historians, however, note that the book is not mentioned in any other ancient source, and that the events it describes (the mass killing of 75,000 enemies of the Jews) are not recorded in Persian or Greek sources. Whatever the historical reality, the book has been central to Jewish identity and self-understanding for over 2,000 years.

How it is observed

Purim is observed with four main mitzvot (commandments), each with its own specific practice. The mitzvot are: (1) the public reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther) in synagogue on the eve and morning of Purim; (2) the giving of mishloach manot, food gifts to friends, usually including at least two ready-to-eat items; (3) the giving of matanot la'evyonim, charity to at least two poor people; and (4) the se'udah, a festive meal during the day, often including wine and hamantaschen.

The hamantaschen (or oznei Haman, Haman's ears) is the iconic food of Purim. The triangular pastry is filled with poppy seeds, fruit preserves, chocolate, or other sweet fillings, and is shaped to resemble either Haman's hat or his ears. The hamantaschen is one of the most distinctive foods of the Jewish festival calendar, and is shared with friends, family, and the poor as part of the Purim celebrations.

Purim is one of the most joyful festivals in the Jewish calendar, and is associated with costumes, merriment, and the consumption of wine. Many Jews (particularly children) dress in costumes on Purim, often as characters from the Book of Esther or other Jewish stories. The custom of drinking wine on Purim is so strong that the Talmud records that "one should drink on Purim until one cannot tell the difference between blessed be Mordecai and cursed be Haman" - a principle that has been interpreted in various ways by different communities.

Shushan Purim

Shushan Purim is the day after Purim (15 Adar), observed in Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities. The custom dates to the period when the Jewish inhabitants of the walled city of Shushan (Susa) needed an extra day to defend themselves against their attackers, and continued to celebrate the victory on the 15th. Today, only Jerusalem is widely observed as a walled city for this purpose, with other cities observing the regular Purim date.

Shushan Purim is a minor celebration compared to the main Purim. The day is marked by a relatively short Megillah reading, a small festive meal, and the absence of the work prohibition. The day is observed primarily in Jerusalem, where many religious and cultural institutions are closed, and is a popular day for weddings and other celebrations. The observance of Shushan Purim is a reminder of the historical importance of walled cities in Jewish life, and of the particular significance of Jerusalem in Jewish tradition.

Related observances

Purim is one of many Jewish festivals observed in the Hebrew calendar. Related Jewish observances include the major pilgrimage festivals of Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles), Passover (Pesach), and Shavuot, the latter being another spring festival associated with the giving of the Torah. Other observances in the Hebrew calendar include the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and the minor festival of Simchat Torah (the Rejoicing of the Torah). Purim is also associated with the Fast of Esther (Ta'anit Esther), observed on the day before Purim in commemoration of the fast that Esther and the Jewish people observed before approaching the king.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is Purim in 2026?

Purim 2026 begins at sunset on Monday, March 2, 2026 and ends at sunset on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (14 Adar 5786). The festival is observed on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, which falls in February or March of the Gregorian calendar. In Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities, Shushan Purim is observed on the 15th of Adar, the day after the rest of the country.

What is the meaning of Purim?

Purim commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, the vizier of the Persian king Ahasuerus (identified by many historians with Xerxes I, 486-465 BCE), who plotted to annihilate the Jews of the Persian Empire. The plot was foiled by Queen Esther and her uncle Mordecai, who persuaded the king to spare the Jews. The festival is named after the "lots" (purim in Hebrew) that Haman cast to determine the date of the planned massacre.

How is Purim observed?

Purim is observed with four main mitzvot: (1) the public reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther) in synagogue on the eve and morning of Purim; (2) the giving of mishloach manot, food gifts to friends, usually including at least two ready-to-eat items; (3) the giving of matanot la'evyonim, charity to at least two poor people; and (4) the se'udah, a festive meal during the day, often including wine and hamantaschen (triangular pastries filled with poppy seeds, fruit preserves, or chocolate).

Is Purim a public holiday?

Purim is not a public holiday in any country, but is a major Jewish religious observance. In Israel, the eve of Purim (Purim night) is a partial work day, with many businesses closing early so that families can attend synagogue services and the festive meal. The day of Purim itself is not a work holiday but is observed as a school holiday. The festival is observed in Jewish diaspora communities worldwide, with the largest public celebrations in Israel, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

What is Shushan Purim?

Shushan Purim is the day after Purim (15 Adar), observed in Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities. The custom dates to the period when the Jewish inhabitants of the walled city of Shushan (Susa) needed an extra day to defend themselves against their attackers, and continued to celebrate the victory on the 15th. Today, only Jerusalem is widely observed as a walled city for this purpose, with other cities observing the regular Purim date. Shushan Purim is a minor celebration compared to the main Purim.

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