SUZANNE BELLING
The festival commemorates the saving of the Jews of ancient Persia from Prime Minister Haman’s wicked plot to annihilate the Jewish people in one day.
In the 4th century BCE, the empire of Persia extended over 127 lands, with the Jews as the country’s subjects.
The King of Persia was Ahasuerus, who had his wife, Queen Vashti, executed for failing to follow his orders.
Then he set up a beauty contest in search of a wife to succeed her. He became smitten with Esther, a Jewish girl, who did not reveal her religion.
The evil Haman decreed that everyone should bow to him, but Mordechai, leader of the Jews and Esther’s cousin, refused, thus bringing the wrath of Haman down on him.
Haman was furious and persuaded the king to issue a decree to kill all the Jews on Adar 13.
Mordechai rounded up the Jews urging them to fast, repent and pray, while Esther invited the king and Haman to join her for a feast. During the feast, Esther revealed to the king her Jewish identity, leading to the hanging of Haman.
Mordechai was appointed prime minister in his stead and a new decree was issued which gave the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies.
On Adar 13, the Jews rose up against their enemies and on Adar 14, they celebrated their victory.
Today we mark Purim by the reading of the megillah, which recounts the story of the Purim miracle.
It is also customary to give gifts to the needy (matanot l’evyonim), usually money, send presents of food to friends (mishloach manot), hold a Purim feast and for children to dress up.
As Purim falls on weekdays this year – March 23 and 24 – the Johannesburg Jewish Helping Hand and Burial Society (the Chevrah Kadisha) has undertaken to distribute matanot l’evyonim if donations are given in advance.
Most shuls have activities planned for Purim. The Jewish Report contacted a sample of the congregations to find out what they are doing.
The Great Park Shul is arranging programmes to suit everyone on March 23. For the children there will be an acrobatics display, drumming and lots of fun for the young ones.
This will be followed by the megillah reading and a family braai, Rabbi Dovid Hazdan, spiritual leader of the Great Park, told Jewish Report.
The following day there will be a megillah reading for women at a private residence. Call (011) 728-8152 for further details.
The Great Synagogue, the Gardens, Cape Town, will be holding a novel hamantashen bake on Sunday, March 13. The goodies will be delivered to charities the following day, says the shul’s Tammy Cimring.
Hillary Murcia, of the Green and Sea Point Hebrew Congregation, says the shul is having a Chinese-themed Purim, with Chinese dances, games and fancy dress, especially Chinese costumes, on March 23. The megillah reading will be by Rabbi Dovid Wineberg.
Rabbi Levy Medalie, of the Pretoria Hebrew Congregation, says the night of the 23rd will be a communal night at the shul.
The following day, there will be megillah readings at the shul, at Crawford College and at Jaffa retirement home. Later in the afternoon, a Purim party at the shul will take on a Hollywood theme, with Hollywood-style fancy dress and props in the shul depicting that which is synonymous with Tinsel Town.
Bet David and Beit Emanuel are joining forces for a Purim family carnival.
There will be activities for children of all ages including a jumping castle, face painting, a puppet show and hamantashen baking in the grounds of Beit Emanuel.
On March 23, there will be a family Purim service, including a Purim shpiel from the cheder class. This takes place at 17:00.
At 18:00 there will be a megillah reading by Rabbi Adrian Schell and Rabbi Julia Margolis, followed by a Purim party and light supper.
On Thursday, March 24, the festival morning service will be conducted by Rabbi Schell.
Rabbi Yoram Hadar of Johannesburg will be visiting the Plettenberg Bay Hebrew Congregation to read the megillah and the shul will be having a Purim party.
Rabbi Hadar will remain in Plett for Shabbat.
The Sydenham-Highlands North Hebrew Congregation is holding “Carnival Kids” with different rides for the children. Festivities and catered food will be served at Seeff Hall – all this will take place on March 23, according to youth director Gabriel Levy.
That night and the following day there will be megillah readings in the sh
