Where is Roberg?

Like any religion, Judaism has a number of religious days. However, the kind and helpful owner of the hotel in which I’m staying explained that, unlike holidays of other religions, many Jewish holidays are somber and serious. Holidays like Passover and the weekly observance of Shabbat require fasting, limits, or restrictions. Religious Jews don’t have many opportunities to really let loose and celebrate.
Purim, on the other hand, is one Jewish holiday that doesn’t fit that mold. Officially, the holiday celebrates the protection of the Jewish people by a Persian queen. During the Babylonian Captivity (6th century BCE), the Jews were at the mercy of the Persians. An adviser to the Persian king named Haman plotted to kill all of the Jews. Fortunately, the plan was foiled thanks to the queen, and the Jews survived. (for more background on Purim, click here)

To celebrate, families and schools read the story and make noise with graggers (noisemakers) every time Haman is mentioned, people give to charity and have a meal with family, and children and adults dress up in costume.

Purim Gragger
During the day today, there was free entertainment along the pedestrian walkway in Jerusalem and families came out to enjoy the beautiful weather and a holiday free of restrictions. Entertainment ranged from singing and dancing, to acrobatic performances. Musicians, jugglers, and people who just like to dress up provided interactive fun for all ages.

Pedestrian street during Purim Acrobats at Purim

Winnie the “Pooh”rim

Kids had all kinds of costumes. Some of the costumes were unique, while others looked quite familiar!

Kids in Purim costumes I saw at least 5 kids dressed as Spider Man

As I mentioned, the kids were not the only people who got into the tradition of dressing up in costume. Two of the home made costumes that impressed me most were Homer and Marge Simpson, and an accordion player and woman couple:

The Simpsons Accordion Player and a Woman

Purim at Night

At night, the celebration turned into a combination of Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day, getting a bit more raucous. Teenagers and adults consumed alcohol and let their revelry go to a whole new level. Young people sprayed each other with foam and set off firecrackers. We’re not talking sparklers and bottle rockets either; we’re talking about the big M-80s that make a VERY loud explosion, especially when one goes off only 10 feet away like it did near me at one point. In a country where terrorist attacks have happened within the past 5 years, the entire situation put me on edge, so I didn’t stay around long.

The police have tried to go after people who sell the firecrackers and people on TV and radio have plead with young people to stop using them, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. With Purim as one of the few holidays when strictly religious Jews can really let loose, it seems that it will remain a holiday of family events during the day and extreme revelry at night.

Filed under: Israel, Travel