It seems to fly in the face of everything Judaism teaches us the entire rest of the year
Every spring, Jews around the world celebrate the holiday of Purim, which commemorates the victory of the Jewish queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai over the wicked Haman, who attempted to annihilate the Jews of the Persian Empire
According to the story, once Haman had convinced King Ahasuerus to kill all the Jews in his realm, Queen Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, told her of Haman’s plans
With the instruction to drink until you don’t know the difference between He also started organizing dry Purim parties in 2000, emphasizing that he does not think that drinking alcohol is the only method of experiencing the holiday
Purim offers a different model, one that speaks more directly to a moment when God’s presence is often invisible
Having a festive holiday meal
The holiday is named this because Haman, the villain of the Purim story, drew a lottery to determine the date of the destruction of the Jewish people
The fixation of Haman’s evil ways was his plot to kill the Jews
Purim, which celebrates the events described in the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther), is a day of rejoicing and merriment, on which even an unusually large amount of drinking is permitted
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How strange when the Bible clearly teaches that “wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1)
Many Jewish holidays are solemn remembrances, but Purim is a joyous time of celebration, commemorating how God again saved His people: Peninei Halakhah, Zemanim 16:11
These traditions include a festive meal, gift giving, and dressing up in costume