A Jewish holiday celebrated in Israel every year.
Its date is determined according to the Hebrew calendar, the 14th of Adar, and corresponding to the Gregorian calendar: sometime between February and March.
This is the date it is celebrated in every Jewish community worldwide.
The same is true for most Jews in Israel. However, due to various customs related to Jewish law (Halakha), there is a minority of about a million Jewish citizens in various areas of Israel (such as the Jerusalem area, Acre, Safed, and others) where the holiday is set for the following day, the 15th of Adar. Because of this split, Purim stretches into an additional, not particularly festive day, which leaves lingering signs of the holiday in the air.
Purim is a holiday of atmosphere.
It has a religious foundation, and it has accompanied the Jewish people for thousands of years. In the Israeli experience, it is better known for the carnivalesque atmosphere that envelops it—mass parties and celebrations with costumes, and an outspoken joy that bursts beyond boundaries.
Compared to other Jewish holidays, Purim is ranked as secondary in religious importance. It has the hallmarks of a holiday, such as: a traditional ritual, unique food, prayers, and blessings—all of which are integrated into the daily routine and do not completely break it, but are certainly noticeable in the landscape:
The education system in Israel goes on a two-day organized holiday—from kindergartens to high schools.
The Israeli economy operates as usual but enters a state of slight deceleration in routine activity, and commercial and productive activity is adapted to the elevated mood of the Purim atmosphere—for example: waiters in restaurants greet their dining customers in unusual attire—with a mask or a cheerful clothing accessory. Israeli labor laws allow salaried employees to take a day off, but those who utilize it are mainly parents celebrating their children's holiday.
What is the Story of Purim?
In the Jewish heritage, the day is celebrated as an expression of thanks for an event that occurred over 2,000 years ago. During this event, a plot was hatched to destroy the members of the Jewish community in Shushan, the capital of the Persian Empire. The plot failed, thanks to a Jewish heroine, Queen Esther, who succeeded in turning the outcome around and causing the demise of the plotters, the evildoers.
The details of the entire event are recounted in the "Scroll of Esther" (Megillat Esther) — one of the books of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), and the main characters in it are:
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Ahasuerus — King of the Persian Empire.
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Haman (the Wicked) — The King's viceroy, initiator of the plan of annihilation.
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Esther — The heroine of the Scroll, one of the King's wives, who succeeds in thwarting the plot and turning her Jewish brethren from victims into victors by causing the annihilation of Haman and his group.
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Mordechai — Esther's Jewish uncle, the man behind the scenes who motivates Esther and the entire plot.
These four characters are expressed in various symbols that represent the holiday. You can read about them and the entire story in detail: in the Purim article on Wikipedia.
Scroll of Esther from the 18th century, The Royal Ontario Museum, Canada
What Happens During Israeli Purim?
Like all Jewish holidays, the events begin on the evening before the specified date, continuing from night into day.
At nightfall, the ritual that opens the Purim schedule takes place. In synagogues scattered across Israel, the "Scroll of Esther" is read from an authentic parchment scroll written according to Halakhic standard. Mainly religious and traditional Israeli men and women participate in the reading of the Scroll and take an active part in it. Especially when Haman's name is mentioned, which arouses noise and shouts of "Boo!"
After leaving the synagogue, they join other events, like all Israelis, each according to their choice and customs.
For the majority of the Israeli public, it is an evening that inspires a joyful atmosphere and an elevated mood, and as they say in spoken Hebrew: "Osim Sameach" (making joy/having fun)—some will go to a private party, an entertainment show, or mass celebrations, and there are those who will stay home to watch television on one of the channels that broadcasts comedies, or shows with stand-up comedians and other humorists.
The following day, Purim day, the atmosphere in the city streets takes on a carnivalistic character, and even though it is business as usual, the joy is evident everywhere.
Purim is a holiday of masks and costumes.
These are the most sought-after products during the holiday, and they are seen in the streets, in the malls, in mass events, and at parties. Particularly prominent: children and teenagers who prepare for this day long in advance, thinking about choosing the appropriate costume that will be different each year.
Choosing a costume is a family experience that begins many days before Purim. Stores fill up with a variety of costumes that express the spirit of the time. The characters chosen to feature in the costumes change every few years, depending on children's heroes, issues on the public agenda—there are traditional figures from the Scroll of Esther, such as: Queen Esther and King Ahasuerus, there are everyday figures, such as: a soldier and a policeman, and there are television series heroes like: Anna and Elsa or superheroes like Superman and Batman, and there are also themed ideas, such as: a costume made of biodegradable materials to preserve the environment.
The celebrations peak in the late morning hours until noon.
Then, a carnivalistic procession called "Adloyada" in spoken Hebrew takes place in every major city. The procession mainly attracts children and teenagers who arrive in full costume and march alone, or with their parents, along a pre-determined route.
Young people and adults make symbolic use of masks, and only invest in a perfect costume if they are invited to a formal costume party on the joyful night.
The breaking of boundaries is also expressed in the consumption of alcohol, especially in the ultra-Orthodox sectors. There, mass gatherings are held for singing and dancing, acts of buffoonery, and drinking alcohol far beyond what is permitted on any other day of the year.
The Adloyada procession in Holon, 2018.
Other hallmarks of Purim in the streets and homes:
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Oznei Haman (Haman's Ears)—a unique national holiday food for Purim. It is a small, triangular pastry, usually made of sweet dough and filled with poppy seeds, chocolate, or another filling.
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Mishloach Manot (Sending of Portions)—a custom prevalent mainly in traditional and religious communities: sending small packages of snacks and pastries to friends and family members. This includes, of course: Oznei Haman.
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Ra'ashan (Gragger/Rattle)—a type of toy that produces a particularly shrill noise. Originally, it was used in synagogues during the reading of the Scroll (see above) when the name of Haman the Wicked was mentioned, but it has become a mandatory item at parties and celebrations everywhere.
Purim's position on the calendar: on the seam line between the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
The climate is unpredictable, changing from year to year—sometimes the weather is rainy and cold, canceling mass celebrations, and sometimes the sun shines and smiles upon the revelers.
And like Hanukkah, which is celebrated about two months before it—it is merely another brief respite between the major holiday season (Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot) and the Passover holiday; a taste of tradition and folklore with an opportunity to strengthen roots and heritage; another reason for a party and to lift the family and communal spirit, without disrupting the routine too much.
And anyone looking at the Israeli calendar can already spot the first signs heralding the approaching end of the "business as usual" season. The one that lasts half a year—between the major holiday seasons.
Historical Bits
The holiday of Purim, established as a reminder of the mass salvation in the Persian Exile (Golah), was, for over 2,000 years, a Diaspora holiday in its essence, and the surrounding celebrations were shaped in the shadow of dispersed and non-sovereign communities.
At the heart of the holiday was the idea of reversal and upheaval—"from sorrow to joy and from darkness to light."
The Jewish celebrations of the miracle and thanksgiving were conducted with several religious principles: reading the Scroll, Mishloach Manot (sending portions) and Matanot La'Evyonim (gifts to the poor), and above all: joy that breaks boundaries—where one can drink, get drunk, hold parties, and enjoy the entertainment of jesters and comedians.
Carnival-like and outward expressions of breaking social boundaries intensified mainly during the Middle Ages. The same applies to the custom of costumes, which likely began in Italy in the 15th century, influenced by local non-Jewish carnivals. The early costumes were usually simple or related to the story of the Scroll. To these were added theatrical events and social games, and all of this created an atmosphere of joy that connects the community members and contributes to shaping its Jewish character.
The dramatic turning point occurred at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, the Zionist movement began its activity, with a national vision that would gather the Jews of the world and create content befitting the spirit of the modern era. The Zionist ideologues, most of whom had a secular, educated worldview, redesigned several of the traditional Israeli holidays, including Purim—which they sought to transform from a diasporic miracle into a holiday of national heroism and sovereignty. While in the Diaspora, Purim was a holiday of miraculous survival in the shadow of foreigners, in the Jewish Yishuv (pre-state community) it became a holiday of initiative and Hebrew strength.
The change was expressed in the Adloyada—a colorful street parade invented in Tel Aviv in 1912. Instead of the closed and innocent buffoonery of Purim parties in closed circles, the Adloyada became a public, lavish, and extra-religious parade intended to demonstrate the vitality of Hebrew culture.
The costumes were no longer just a tribute to Esther and Mordechai, but also reflected national events and contemporary figures, shifting the center of gravity from King Ahasuerus' court to the liberated Hebrew street.
The Adloyada marked the transformation of the holiday, from a holiday of dispersion and obedience to the laws of foreigners, to a holiday of a nation demonstrating its power and sovereignty openly.
The Adloyada procession in Tel Aviv, 1929.
After establishment of the state of Israel, Purim acquired the status of a national holiday, in which the education system goes on a short holiday and salaried employees are permitted to be absent from work on this day as part of their annual vacation days.
The Adloyada continued to be a central event, initially in Tel Aviv, and from there spread to other large cities. Adults found a reason for a party, and went out to revel and get drunk, and the promoters found a good day for performances by artists who know how to make people laugh and entertain. Once these were the HaGashash HaHiver (an iconic Israeli comedy trio) and satirical theaters, later replaced by stand-up comedians who fill halls on this joyful day, which comes only once a year.
Children's costumes underwent changes from period to period, and the characters that feature in them express the spirit of the time.
In the 1950s and 60s, the costumes expressed the Zionist spirit and innocent childhood: soldiers and policemen, workers and kibbutz members, pioneers (males and females), and cultural heroes such as: Danidin the invisible boy, and Bazooka Joe.
In the 70s and 80s, Israeli society opened up to American and European influences (especially with the introduction of color television). The heroes were: Smurfs, Superman, and Spiderman.
From the 90s, one sees more of "The Little Mermaid," "Winnie the Pooh," and celebrities from the fields of entertainment and sports.
In the 21st century, with the arrival of the internet in our lives, characters from viral gaming also penetrated the costumes, such as: Fortnite and Minecraft.
As the state marks 75 years, Purim is a very joyful holiday. It is celebrated by all Jews, without sectoral or religious distinction.
Traditional religious ideas are integrated alongside national ideas and multicultural nuances.
Like Hanukkah, which is celebrated about two months before it—it is merely another brief respite between the major holiday season (Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot) and the Passover holiday; a taste of tradition and folklore with an opportunity to strengthen roots and heritage; another reason for a party and to lift the family and communal spirit, without disrupting the routine too much.
And anyone looking at the Israeli calendar can already spot the first signs heralding the approaching end of the "business as usual" season. The one that lasts half a year—between the major holiday seasons.
This is part of "The Israeli Story 1948-2025" project.
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