PurimLit. "Lots." A carnival holiday celebrated on the 14th of the Jewish month of Adar, commemorating the Jewish victory over the Persians as told in the Book of Esther. Purim is celebrated by reading the megilla (Book of Esther), exchanging gifts, giving money to the poor, and holding a festive meal. At the megilla reading, merrymakers are dressed in costumes, people drink, and noisemakers (graggers)Â are sounded whenever the villain Haman's name is mentioned. is a festival of celebration of the triumph of goodness over evil, of light over darkness. Queen EstherHeroine of the Purim story and Megillat (the scroll of) Esther. She is married to the king by her cousin Mordecai and ultimately saves her people from execution. is at the center of the story. Purim is usually celebrated with noise, reverie, and the theme of military victory. In the Purim story, part of Queen Esther’s actions included meditation. I have incorporated this aspect of the story in a new ritual for Purim, the Crown of Esther.
Ritual:
With a group of people, make a circle of candles.
Envision this circle as the crown of Queen Esther.
As each person in the room lights a candle, he/she/they describe a characteristic of Queen Esther, such as courage, dignity, strength, beauty, wisdom.
This ritual can be followed by reading excerpts from the MegillahLit. Scroll Usually refers specifically the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther) read on Purim, telling the story of how Esther saved the Jewish people. Megillat Ruth is read on Shavuot. focusing on Esther and her actions.
