Purim Set to Begin at Sundown

Wednesday night at sundown officially marks the start of Purim, the Jewish holiday that celebrates Queen Esther’s triumph over the evil Haman who plotted to exterminate the Jewish people of ancient Persia.

For most families, Purim is a fun celebration that not only involves reading from scrolls and dining with loved ones, but also sees children dress up as the characters to act out the ancient stories. Having fun with a grogger is also a mainstay of Purim. Every time the name, “Haman” is mentioned in readings (54 times), everyone is supposed to make as much noise as possible to symbolize the act of drowning out his name.

Another favorite of the holiday is the Hamantaschen, a three-corned pastry with a tasty filling. Watch our Patch video on how to make them.

More on Purim: Rabbi Moshe Waldoks’ article on Huffington Post

The four main mitzvot (obligations) of the day are:

1. Listening to the public reading, usually in synagogue, of the Book of Esther in the evening and again in the following morning (k'riat megillah)
2. Sending food gifts to friends (mishloach manot)
3. Giving charity to the poor (matanot la'evyonim)
4. Eating a festive meal (se`udah)

LOCAL SERVICES

944 Second Street Pike, Richboro, PA
(215) 322-9595
Wed: Megillah Reading-Gimel Class, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thurs: Megillah Readings, 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. 

Beth Sholom Congregation
8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA
(215) 887-1342
Wed: Erev Purim (all day)
Thurs: Service Megillah Readings, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Congregations of Shaare Shamayim
9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(215) 677-1600
Wed: Erev Purim; Family Megillah Reading, 7 p.m.

Old York Road Temple- Beth Am
971 Old York Road, Abington, PA
(215) 886-8000
Thurs: SOEL Purim Celebration, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Adath Jeshurun Congregation
7763 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA
(215) 635-6611
Wednesday:

• Pre-Purim Dinner, 5:00 p.m.
• Evening Minhah, 5:40 p.m.
• Family Megillah Service and Havdalah, 6:00 p.m.
• Purim Carnival, following service
• Ma'ariv and Full Reading of Megillah, 8:30 p.m.