When I think about Purim, I have so many happy memories—hilarious costume parades, different flavors of hamantaschen (team poppy seed!), and the many opportunities I’ve had to pay homage to my heroine, Queen Esther, in spiels. I hope you, too, have happy, playful memories and favorite stories to share. Indeed, Purim is a holiday of celebration and silliness but one of commitment, as well.
Megillat Esther, the scroll of Esther that recounts the story of Purim, comes from Ketuvim, or Writings, the third section of our Hebrew Bible. Musically, this Megillah has its own set of trope or notes to be chanted by, setting it apart from other texts we read. At the end of this scroll (Esther 9), the narrator recounts to us the four main obligations of Purim: reading and re-reading the story each year to share with the next generation, sharing in a festive meal, sending portions of the meal or gifts to friends and neighbors, and of course, portions or offerings to those who are in need.
I love that even for our silliest celebration on the Jewish calendar, our ancestors understood that we still needed a solid framework for participation, and more importantly, that no festivity can be enjoyed if it is not shared with our children, our family and community, and those who need our generosity. This week of Purim, I hope you will join us for one or many moments to participate in these obligations passed down from our ancestors to us, each its own pathway for meaning-making, connection, and of course, festivity!
Visit our website to find many opportunities to celebrate and connect this Purim week.
— Cantor Emma Lutz