Each year, Jewish people worldwide gather together on the 14th day of Adar to celebrate one of the most fun and exciting Jewish holidays. Children and adults of all ages will sing, dance, and dress up in costumes together at festivals, parties, and parades worldwide, all to commemorate the miracle of events that took place thousands of years ago in the Book of Esther. This annual celebration is known as Purim, and we’re here to make sure you know all about this popular holiday.
We bet you’ve got many questions, so we came ready with a Purim basket full of answers!
What is Purim?
The holiday of Purim commemorates the Jewish people’s salvation from Haman and the Persian empire, as told in the Book of Esther. The story follows four main characters: the Persian King Ahasuerus, his advisor Haman, Queen Esther, and Mordecai, the leader of the Jews, who is also Esther’s cousin.
The book is about courage, family, and divine intervention working miracles from behind the scenes. After Haman decreed that the Jewish people be eliminated, they were thought to be inevitably doomed. However, Esther’s bravery and divine intervention disguised as natural events saved the Jewish people, who could defend themselves against their enemies.
As a result, Purim has been celebrated annually ever since. It’s a day of feasting, rejoicing, family, and fun. Purim is described as a holiday similar to Halloween, Easter, and Mardi Gras, all mixed into one, so you can imagine it’s a pretty big deal!
Read the entire Book of Esther here to learn more about Purim’s history.
When is Purim this year?
Purim takes place annually on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. Typically, this date falls during early spring, but the date on the Gregorian calendar varies yearly. In 2025, Purim begins on the afternoon of Thursday, March 13th, and ends the next day on the 15th of Adar, or March 14th.
How do you celebrate Purim?
Purim is celebrated in many ways, but people typically follow four special mitzvahs or commandments to celebrate Purim. Those four commandments are as follows:
Hear the Megillah – The Megillah is also known as The Book of Esther and is just a retelling of the Purim story. It is a tradition to listen to the reading at least once each day of Purim. During the reading, whenever the villain Haman’s name is said, everyone is encouraged to scream and shout to make noise and block out his evil name. It’s a fun tradition for children and adults to participate in to help understand the meaning behind the celebration.
Give Charity – Purim is a holiday that celebrates unity within the Jewish people. It’s customary to give charity to the less fortunate on Purim. Usually, those celebrating give charity to at least two of those who are less fortunate. It’s thought in the story that the Jews would all be eliminated together, so now, in the time of celebration, it makes sense to celebrate and prosper together as one.
Send Purim Baskets to Friends – To further emphasize the concept of friendship and unity within the Jewish community on Purim, it’s also customary to send Purim baskets filled with food items and beverages to friends and family. Giving gifts to friends is what the Purim celebration is all about.
Have a Purim Feast – Every great holiday has to end with an awesome feast! Gather with friends and family for a traditional feast and end the night with loved ones, food, and plenty to drink. Hamantaschen cookies or what’s also known as “Haman’s ears” are a customary holiday snack and are filled with many different delicious fillings! And no real Purim feast is complete without lots and lots of wine!
Why do people dress up for Purim?
There are a few reasons why people dress up for Purim. One of the most accepted reasons is to replicate Esther’s idea of hiding her Jewish identity from the King. Another is to represent the miracles disguised as natural events in the story. A final reason is so that no one feels ashamed of asking for charity since everyone will be in disguise.
How do I pick a Purim costume?
Picking a Purim costume should be fun and easy! An obvious choice would be to dress up as any of the characters from the story. The King, Haman, Mordecai, and Esther make a great group costume! If you’re feeling a little more secular, you can just dress up as whatever you like!
Here at Spirit, we’re all about the holiday fun, and you should already know that we’re the biggest enthusiasts of dressing up! Since we’re months away from Halloween, Purim is a perfect reason to whip out those fantastic costumes. Now that you know what Purim is, you can slip on your disguise and join the festivities!
