In honor of the holiday, there will be no Arutz-7 email report on Friday.
The very festive holiday of Purim begins as today's fast ends, this evening at sundown, and will last until the onset of the Sabbath on Friday evening. Purim is not a public holiday in Israel, but many offices, shops, and public institutions will operate on a reduced basis.
In honor of the festive reading of the Megillah [Book of Esther] tonight, the basketball competition between European champion Maccabi Tel Aviv and the visiting Zaghreb team will be postponed by 20 minutes. By request of many religiously-traditional fans, as well as Tel Aviv coach Pinny Gershon, the opening whistle will be blown only at 9 PM, to allow time for both the Megillah and basketball.
In Jerusalem, the holiday will last until Sunday evening, with the day's "commandments" being distributed over the three days: The Book of Esther will be read and gifts to the poor will be distributed on Friday; a special Torah reading and the Al HaNissim prayer will be recited on the Sabbath; and the festive meal will be held and food gifts distributed on Sunday.
For more information on the history, customs and joy of Purim, see Jacob Richman's special Purim site.
The very festive holiday of Purim begins as today's fast ends, this evening at sundown, and will last until the onset of the Sabbath on Friday evening. Purim is not a public holiday in Israel, but many offices, shops, and public institutions will operate on a reduced basis.
In honor of the festive reading of the Megillah [Book of Esther] tonight, the basketball competition between European champion Maccabi Tel Aviv and the visiting Zaghreb team will be postponed by 20 minutes. By request of many religiously-traditional fans, as well as Tel Aviv coach Pinny Gershon, the opening whistle will be blown only at 9 PM, to allow time for both the Megillah and basketball.
In Jerusalem, the holiday will last until Sunday evening, with the day's "commandments" being distributed over the three days: The Book of Esther will be read and gifts to the poor will be distributed on Friday; a special Torah reading and the Al HaNissim prayer will be recited on the Sabbath; and the festive meal will be held and food gifts distributed on Sunday.
For more information on the history, customs and joy of Purim, see Jacob Richman's special Purim site.