So get your costumes on
Make noise and drown out Haman...
Make noise and drown out Haman...
What the day's about...
{Maccabeats -- Purim}
This year, in honor of Purim, I am sharing excerpts of an article my mom and Dale wrote a few years back. It sums up how I have been feeling about Purim and its story this year, in light of events in our country, namely towards Jewish and other minority communities...
"Purim has, as we know, a frightening story. Once again the Jews face a serious threat from a man in power who has great hatred towards them. Megilat Esther, the Book of Esther, tells in great detail about this hate and Haman’s plans to kill the entire Jewish community of Persia. They are saved through the action of a great hero, Queen Esther, who risks her own life to save them.
It is a great strength that a community can unite in order to take a horrible event and reframe it. We do not dwell on the evil but on the survival. Just as someone under extreme stress can begin to laugh for no reason, in the face of the Purim story and the possibility of death and destruction of innocent lives, we laugh and laugh and laugh. We take the story and turn it on its head. Purim is topsy-turvy. Everything is backwards and upside down.
Purim is, with deliberate intention, celebrated with the community, a loud, colorful community. There are costumes and masks. These costumes help us to change our reality, and perhaps the masks serve to hide what we do not want to see. We do not like this reality, so we change it by changing what we see and what we wear.
But as we think of Purim, we are reminded that like other stories of our holidays, it is a story of hatred and violence. As adults, we are aware of Jewish history and how difficult it has often been for Jews to live in harmony with their non-Jewish neighbors. Our world is very different now."
--- "Send in the Clowns" by Idie Benjamin and Dale Sides Cooperman, originally written Dec. 2012
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the Good.Random.Fun. each Monday and Little Things Thursday...right here!
the Good.Random.Fun. each Monday and Little Things Thursday...right here!
...regardless of our religious traditions, seeking the light is common for all of us. In these dark days of fear and distrust, seeking the light is more important than ever. Peace be with you.
ReplyDeleteTamar, as Leon and Willie once sang, “I saw the Light.” Let’s hope your Purim celebration allows the light to shine. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe're alike again with our posts today. Great article from your mom and great pictures by you!
ReplyDeleteThe story of Ester is one of my favorites. I enjoyed this post Tamar.
ReplyDeleteI am a Christian therefore, obviously, I LOVE and cherish everything Jewish. :) Esther's story is one of my favoured stories. Thank you for the read and your pics are beautiful too. <3
ReplyDeleteEsther is a beautiful story in the bible. The jam cookies look interesting.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting what you wrote about the Purim.
ReplyDeleteI like your traditions and delicious food, what you create.
Wonderful photos too.
Best, Synnöve
I hadn't heard this story - so thank you for sharing. And yes, we need much more light and love in this world today. Have a joyous week. I'm joining you at Wednesday around the world.
ReplyDeleteI wish our world was "very different" now. This is a really well-written piece. As for the Hamantashen, I had on idea they were so easy to make.
ReplyDeleteThese look so yummy, but don't look so eary to make. Have a great weekend. If I know you by now, I am sure you have a lovely adventure planned.
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