Purim

'No Better Place to Read Megillat Esther than Joshua's Tomb'

Residents and regional council officials gathered Thursday at Joshua's Tomb in Samaria for eight-year tradition of reading Book of Esther.

Send Us Your Purim Pictures - And Win a Tablet!

It's that time of year again, so we're spreading the Purim joy...!

Sunny With a High Chance of Purim

The weather will favor Purim revelers with heat, no rain, and cooling eastern winds accompanying a small coastal heat wave.

Obama Puts an End to Threats of Terrorism and War

Obama has brought world peace - just like that. 'I've finally earned that Nobel Prize!'

Violent Arab Riots in Hevron Wound IDF Soldier

Mass riots outside Cave of Machpelah hurl a hail of rocks, leave soldier lightly wounded in leg, in what has become Purim tradition.

Modern-day Purim?

Report: Iran's Supreme Leader Hospitalized in Critical Condition

Arab media reports Ayatollah Khamenei brought for urgent care in Tehran after several of his body systems fail.

What Did Ambassador Shapiro Dress Up As?

The American ambassador to Israel joined in the Purim festivities with a unique costume.

Purim Begins in Israel

Holiday of Divine Providence, redemption, prayer, and happiness begins nationwide, outside of Jerusalem.

Purim Perplexity: Rabbis Debate When to Celebrate Purim in Ramot

A debate many thought had been resolved long ago has been revived this year for residents of a Jerusalem suburb on when to celebrate Purim.

Rabbi Mazuz to PM: You Should 'Rise' in the Elections

Rabbi Meir Mazuz spiritual leader of Yachad - Haam Itanu party, congratulates Netanyahu for Congress speech.

Just in Time for Purim: Costume Prices Down 20%

Frozen tops the list of popular costumes for kids this year, but plenty of adults are buying outfits as well, retailers say.

Major Haredi Organization Bans IDF Costumes on Purim

Badatz Eida Haredit claims it's parents' 'duty' to prevent encouraging 'draft decree' for mandatory IDF service, slams IDF 'melting pot.'

IDF Slams Soldiers for Using Weapons as Purim 'Groggers'

Some IDF soldiers are in hot water for using their weapons as “noisemakers” during the reading of the Megillah.

Watch: Tunisian President Visits Jewish Exhibition

Tunisia’s President, Moncef Marzouki, visits a Jewish exhibition about Purim, expresses his support for the Jewish community.

Two Youths Injured by Firecrackers

Purim injuries in Jerusalem include one youth moderately injured and another lightly hurt.

Child ‘Commander’ to Police, ‘Deal with the Bad Guys’

Children ‘take over’ top police command in Purim swap, order officers to deal with ‘bad guys.’

Jerusalem Celebrates Purim

Watch celebrations of Purim in Jerusalem’s Merkaz Harav yeshiva.

Torah Students Dragged to Jail in Purim Skit

Chassidic Purim celebration includes comedy skit where Torah student is taken to prison.

'Women of the Wall' in Hevron Purimfest

Two girls who think it's funny that women pray with men's accessories come up with an original costume.

Police Confiscate 30 Kg of Drugs, Alcohol on Purim

100,000 illegal substances confiscated on the eve of the holiday as police perform crackdown on recreational narcotic use.

Nationalist MK Dresses as Leftist in Hevron Parade

MK Orit Struk disguised herself as MK Michal Rozin (Meretz) and carried a sign saying: 'Out of the territories!'

Warmer Weather on Purim

No need for an umbrella this year, as days of rainy weather subside and the sun emerges.

Happy Purim! Send Us a Picture of Your Costume and Win a Tablet

At Arutz Sheva, we feel like spreading a little Purim joy...

Ahead of Purim, Peres Exposes An Old Costume

President Shimon Peres posts photos of disguises he wore in the 1970s to travel to Jordan for secret talks.

Showing Solidarity

Chief Rabbi Lau Visits Sderot Amid Rockets

Undeterred by the rocket barrage, Rabbi Lau expresses support for residents and soldiers, sends wishes of joy for Purim.

Southern Yeshiva: Rockets won't Disrupt our Purim

Sderot Hesder Yeshiva expects over 700 students to mark Shabbat Zachor and take part in Purim revelry.

Chabad Purim Initiative To Help Jews in Ukraine

Chabad calls for donations to help Ukrainian Jews survive the spike in anti-Semitic violence and threats of war.

'What Does Haman Say?'

Parody video offers a Purim-themed remix to Ylvis' 'What Does The Fox Say?' But which one is stranger?

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Celebrated Purim Twice in Tel Aviv

When he lived in Tel Aviv, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef z”tl used to read the megilla on Purim, as well as on Shushan Purim, said his son.

Yeshiva Students Hand Out Mishloach Manot, and Joy, to Elderly

Yeshiva students in Jerusalem connected with seniors - enriching them, and themselves, with a unique Purim experience

Thursday is Fast of Esther

Jews mark anniversary of Queen Esther’s appeal against annihilation.

Volunteers Needed To Protect Jewish Girls on Purim

Group warns drunk Jewish girls in serious danger from Arab men, part of 'silent war' encouraged by Muslim ruling.

"Upside Down" on Purim

Ahead of Purim, Youth Leader Calls to Ban Alcohol, Firecrackers

A prominent Israeli educator has come out against some of the less desirable 'customs' that prevail on Purim.

Rabbi: Women's Megilah Readings OK According to Jewish Law

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin notes that Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef himself permitted women to read the Book of Esther for other women.

Purim-Themed Music Video Combines Cinematic, Jewish History

Revolutionary video uses the timelessness of the silent film era to convey Purim's deepest messages.

Ahead of Purim, Chief Rabbis Warn Against Firecrackers

Rabbis note the firecrackers are life-threatening and that the Torah forbids purposely endangering one's life.

Laugh Mob Infects Jerusalem Light Train

In honor of the month of Adar and the holiday of Purim, laughter is spread on the light train. Only one person kept a straight face.

New Pre-Purim Clip Celebrates Miracles

It's almost Purim. Enjoy "Miracles" - a new music clip brought to you by Gad Elbaz, Naftali Kalfa and Ari Lesser.

'Purim Firecrackers are Explosives'

Medical expert warns in Arutz Sheva interview that firecracker use ahead of the holiday can lead to burns, blindness.

Hareidi Activists: Say No to Soldier Costumes

Will hareidi boys no longer dress up as IDF soldiers? Activists argue that popular costumes ‘won’t bring joy’ this Purim.

NY Assemblyman Under Fire For 'Offensive' Purim Costume

New York state assemblyman comes under fire for "black basketball player” Purim costume.

Shas Parties in Jerusalem for Shushan Purim

The heads of the Shas faction partied in Jerusalem on Monday in honor of Shushan Purim.

MKs Strook, Shaked Pull Purim Switcheroo

Bayit Yehudi MKs change into each other. There is a message there, too.

Photo Essay: Purim Revelry in Hevron Ignores Muslim Riots

As Muslims rioted in Judea and Samaria, Jewish residents of Hevron celebrated Purim and invited soldiers to take part.

Dozens Celebrate Purim at Homesh

Dozens of people gathered at Homesh Saturday night to hear the reading of the Megilla (Scroll of Esther) on Purim evening

IDF Officer Jailed for 'Harlem Shake' Video

Company commander receives 21 days, cameraman gets 14 days for video that "runs against IDF values."

Reminder: Purim Safety Hazards for Children

Parents reminded not to let children play with firecrackers and make sure costumes are safe.

Photos: IDF Soldiers Receive Mishloach Manot

Several Jewish organizations teamed up in order to bring the joy of Purim to as many Israeli soldiers as possible.

New Rock Band Fights Haman in Catchy Purim Song

A catchy bossanova beat tells the triumphant tale of Queen Esther and Mordechai. "Haman (Purim Song)" is not a cover, parody or kids song.

Purim Kicks Off with Reading of Megillah

Not many know that the holiday of costumes and revelry is one of Judaism's most holy days.

Purim ‘Thank You’ for Hareidi, Bedouin Soldiers

Pro-unity group gives Purim gifts to hareidi, Bedouin soldiers. The goal: to boost those already ‘sharing the burden.’

Terror Victim’s Purim Message: Despair is Just a Mask

Terror attack survivor Asael Shabo, who lost his mother and three siblings, has a message of hope for Purim.

'Purim in Olam HaBa' to Host Concert, Parade

The Olam HaBa group hopes to bring 'The World to Come' down to our world to recharge your soul with the spirituality and joy of Purim.

Yeshiva Brings Purim Story to Downtown Tel Aviv

Yeshiva students plan round-the-clock readings of the Book of Esther for Tel Aviv revelers.

ZOA Brings Joy of Purim to Israeli Soldiers

With the holiday of Purim quickly approaching, the ZOA is, once again, distributing thousands of mishlochei manot to soldiers of the IDF.

Arutz Sheva Show Hosts Guest Star in Purim Music Video

Walter Bingham and Ben Bresky of Israel National Radio guest star in a wacky Purim video.

Sometimes, Relief is a Queen Esther Costume

Leading relief organization, Meir Panim, enables Israel’s neediest children to celebrate with joy.

Groups to Package, Distribute, Mishloach Manot for Soldiers

With Purim coming up, organizations inside and outside of Israel are thinking of the soldiers of the IDF

Rabbi Pinto: Learn From Purim to Deal with Iran

Rabbi Yeshayahu Pinto told followers on Tuesday the best way to deal with the Iranian threat is by learning from the story of Purim.