Live always at the edge of poetic possibilty, even in the face of severe prose. - Walter Bruggemann


Monday, March 24, 2008

For Such a Time as This

The 14th of Adar on the Jewish calendar and the merrymakers are out. Purim was this weekend. It's a celebration for Jews when the Megillah or scroll of Esther is read.

After the destruction of the kingdom of Judah and the people are taken into Babylonian captivity Hamen (boo, hiss) plotted to kill all of the Jews in ancient Persia. Mordechai tells Queen Esther, "Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this." Esther tells the king about the plot and she saves the Jews.

All over Jerusalem there was partymaking. But lest you think that this is just a dress up occasion, it's not. Jews are to read the whole Megillah (sorry I couldn't resist!) and give tzadaka, charity. All day on Saturday I heard music coming from the local yeshiva. In the streets were groups of music makers and lots of people dressed up. Little girls were dressed as Queen Esther and boys, the king and Mordechai. Even the adults dressed up.

Chag Sameakh!












5 comments:

Cynthia said...

The gal with the grapes gets my vote.

Wow, wow, and more wow to all the holy week photos, etc. Incredible!

As someone said to me earlier this week, a blessed Resurrection Sunday to you! Sounds like it was just grand.

Dina said...

But now that the intense week of holidays is over, what will we blog about now? hehe

Suzanne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Suzanne said...

Somehow, I'm sure there is plenty of material for us to cover out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sqpt said...

These are so fantastic! I always wondered what Purim was like in Israel.