The very festive holiday of Purim begins as today's fast ends, this evening (Monday) at sundown, and will last until the onset of the Sabbath on Tuesday evening. In Jerusalem, Purim begins Tuesday evening and ends at sundown on Wednesday. In some areas it is celebrated on both days.
The holiday of Purim commemorates the events described in the Book of Esther. In short, the anti-Semitic Haman, Grand Vizier of the Persian Empire, plots to destroy the Jews of the empire's 127 countries, but a series of Divinely-contrived events foils the plot and allows the Jews to rise up and defeat their enemies.
Celebrating the miraculous salvation of the Jews, the thwarting of Haman’s genocidal plot, and the return of the Jews to a nationally-united, Torah way of life, Purim has traditionally symbolized the victory of the Jewish people over anti-Semitic tyranny and assimilation. As such, Purim is a happy, carnival-like holiday.
Purim is not a public holiday in Israel, but many offices, shops, and public institutions will operate on a reduced basis.
For more information on the history, customs and joy of Purim, see Jacob Richman's special Purim site.
Twenty-two children of families of terrorist victims will be hosted at the Hadar Mall in Talpiyot in Jerusalem on Wednesday morning, under the auspices of VAT International. Festivites will include face-painting, ice cream, pizza and more.
Arutz-7's Purim satire "news report" will be distributed on Tuesday. Our regular news reports, both email and web-based, will be suspended for the duration of the holiday, to be resumed late Tuesday evening.