Followers

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Jews celebrate Purim by reading and drinking

Salt Lake Tribune

Wearing a beer keg costume Rabbi Benny Zippel gives a vodka shot to Sheila Gelman during Tuesday evening's Purim Mania, the 14th annual Purim dxtravaganza and Megillah reading at Chabad Lubavitch of Utah in Salt Lake City. Sometimes called the Jewish Mardi Gras, Purim is considered one of the happiest Jewish holidays. It commemorates the fifth century B.C. deliverance of the Jews of Persia from extermination, as told in the Book of Esther. To mark Purim, Jews are commanded to hear a full reading of the Book of Esther, commonly referred to as the Megillah, which means scroll. They also are commanded to be unabashedly joyous. Even getting drunk, within reason, is considered a good deed.
- Jessica Ravitz

No comments: