Modern Day Purim to Children: The Beauty Queen Who Saved a People
- Mar 4, 2016
- 4 min read
Purim 2016 begins in the evening of Wednesday, March 23
and ends in the evening of Thursday, March 24
THE FOUR MAIN MITZVOT OF PURIM
1. MEGILLAT ESTHER -- we read the story of Purim in the evening and the next day. And whenever Haman is mentioned, we make as much noise as possible to blot out his name and his memory!
Purim is a celebratory rememberance of the sotry of the Biblical matriarch, Esther. It is the historical account of how Mordechai and Queen Esther helped save the Jewish people form the hand sof the wicked Haman. God had prepared Esther for such a time as this to be chosen by the King as his Queen at the right time to put her in position to save the Jewish people from destruction.
The book of Esther in the Bible is fascinating reading. Although the story took place thousands of years ago, and in a geographical setting far from here, its intrigue and espionage could have been ripped from yesterday’s headlines. To understand the story one simply needs to know a few characters. Ahasuerus is the Persian King, Esther is his queen, and she is of Jewish descent. Mordecai is her older cousin, and he is a wise and brave counselor. And Haman is the man bent on destroying the Jewish people.
However, God sought the protection of that group of people and this time he did it without the parting of the Red Sea or a host of plagues. He did it though the hands of common people with uncommon courage. Rereading the story points out again that courage. Mordecai learns of an overthrow attempt of the king, and courageously reveals this overthrow. He goes virtually unnoticed for that favor, for who knows how long, and never voices a complaint. He encourages his cousin Esther to talk to the king about the plot to destroy the Jewish nation. A task that would take a great amount of courage. For in those days and in that culture, to approach the king without being requested was an execution sentence. Esther knew this when she decided to go (Est. 4:16).
Not only do we see uncommon courage in the hearts of God’s servants, but we see the basest form of pride in Haman’s life. Throughout the entire story he is consumed with himself. He talks of his accomplishments (Est. 5:11). He presumptuously assumes (Est. 6:6) the king would desire to honor him. His pride led to his destruction (Est. 7:10). The differences in the characters are obvious. Courage requires a complete dependence on God. Pride is simply overconfidence in self and an independence of God.
Terms to learn:
Megillah - a scroll of the Book of Esther, read on the festival of Purim.
Graggers - Noisemakers that are shaken everytime Haman's name is mentioned.
Hamantashan - a traditional Purim 3-cornered pastry. In Israel, they are called Oznei Haman which is Hebrew for "Haman's ears" as children are jokingly told these tasty pastries are the ears of Haman.
2. SENDING GIFTS OF FOOD to at least one friend or relative, because Purim is a time of love and friendship between Jews.
Hamentasch (that’s the singular form) is Hebrew for “Haman was weakened,” so as to remind us that Mordechai could only beat Haman because God weakened him.
Hamantaschen are sweet triangular pastries with a filling, traditionally poppy seed, eaten on Purim. But where did this tradition originate? Throught the ages, Purim has always been associated with food. The custom of gifting food is as old as Purim itself, which goes back to around the 4th century BCE, among Persian Jews.
3. GIVING GIFTS OF MONEY TO THE POOR because Purim is a time of sharing and caring and helping.
Ways of giving:
Invite a family to share your Purim Meal with
Prepare a basket to deliver to someone in need
Host a small costume party
Volunteer with your church during Purim
Share some coins with the children to give them a lasting memory (instaed of giving a dollar bill give them a dollar coin or half dollar)
4. EATING A FESTIVE PURIM MEAL – the special holiday meal eaten on Purim afternoon.
DON'T FORGET, PURIM IS COSTUME-TIME! We celebrate how everything can turn upside-down and into something else, and nothing is exactly what it seems to be. So start thinking about who you want to be on Purim!
Purim Activities
1. Make noise makers 2. Make fancy dress costumes 3. Make a mask
4. Make Hamantaschen - search for a recipe online 5. Purim colouring pages - go to http://www.jewishgames.com/ 6. Make party invitations
7. Make puppet characters from paper mache or construction paper
8. Draw, Color or paint your own storybook
9. Make a delicious recipe to share with your family
10. Learn a festive Jewish dance for a small home party
11. Plan a costume potluck for friends and family
11. Learn the Macabee song and perform it for some friends
Let's not forget that all events from the Torah were meant to be dealings with a chosen people with the purpose of bringing into the world the Messiah. Click on the picture below and get some really great videos you can share with your children about Esther and learn how this historical event mirrors the grace of God.
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