The 14th of Adar (late February or March)
Purim celebrates the rescue of the Jews of the ancient Persian Empire from a plot to destroy them, a story told in the biblical Book of Esther, known as the Megillah.
Through the courage of Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, the scheme of the villain Haman was overturned. Purim is the most joyous and playful holiday of the Jewish year, filled with costumes, noise, and generosity.
The Book of Esther is read aloud, evening and morning. Whenever Haman's name is spoken, listeners boo, stamp, and spin noisemakers called graggers to blot it out.
Friends exchange gifts of ready-to-eat food, at least two items to at least one person, spreading the joy of the day.
Gifts are given to those in need, so that everyone can share in the celebration.
Children and adults wear costumes, and a daytime feast called the seudah is held in high spirits.
Triangular filled cookies, traditionally with poppy seed, fruit, or chocolate, said to resemble the villain Haman's hat.
Rolled pastries with fruit, nut, or chocolate fillings, a favorite for the festive Purim table. See the recipe.
A braided loaf that graces the festive Purim meal. See the recipe.
The plain English greeting for the holiday.
Happy Purim holiday in Hebrew.
A joyous Purim, in Yiddish.
The Megillah is the Book of Esther, read aloud on Purim both in the evening and the morning. It tells the story of how the Jews of Persia were saved from Haman's plot.
Whenever the villain Haman's name is read from the Megillah, the congregation boos and spins noisemakers called graggers to symbolically blot out his name.
Hamantaschen are triangular filled cookies eaten on Purim, commonly with poppy seed, fruit preserves, or chocolate. Their shape is popularly linked to Haman's three-cornered hat.
Read the full history and traditions in our Purim holiday guide, browse traditional Jewish recipes, look up terms in the glossary, or see the dates on the Hebrew calendar.