When ideas fail, words come in very handy (Goethe)

Purim (Hebrew: פורים Pûrîm ) is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people of the ancient Persian Empire from Haman’s (who was a high-ranking political advisor or minister to King Ahasuerus of Persia) plot to annihilate them, as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (in Hebrew: Megillat Esther). According to the story, Haman cast lots to determine the day upon which to exterminate the Jews. The word for lots in Hebrew is “pur”, hence the name purim (which is the plural form of pur).

Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, the day following the victory of the Jews over their enemies. In cities that were protected by a surrounding wall at biblical era, including Shushan (Susa) and Jerusalem, Purim is celebrated on the 15th of the month, known as Shushan Purim. This year Purim takes place on March 21st. (and in Jerusalem: on March 22nd.).

Purim is characterized by public recitation of the Book of Esther, giving mutual gifts of food and drink, giving charity to the poor, and a celebratory meal; other customs include drinking wine, wearing of masks and costumes, and public celebration.As mentioned above, a festive meal called Seudat Purim is held, often with wine as the prominent beverage; consequently, drunkenness is not uncommon at this meal.

The jovial character of this feast is illustrated in the saying of the Talmud (Megilla 7b) stating that one should drink on Purim until he can no longer distinguish between the phrases, arur Haman (”Cursed is Haman”) and baruch Mordechai (”Blessed is Mordecai”).

In Hebrew these phrases have the same gematria (”numerical value”), and some rabbinical authorities have ruled that one should drink wine until he is unable to calculate these numerical values.

It’s interesting to note, that Madonna (yes, Madonna), who has become a follower of Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah) in recent years, has chosen to take the Hebrew name Esther. Esther plays one of the leading roles in story told in the Book of Esther and she was both smart and beautiful (and wife of the Persian king!).