The Songs Of Purim

(This is a guest post.)

Purim is a very famous Jewish holiday that is held on the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month of Adar (between February and March). This ancient holiday celebrates the liberation of the Jews from their direct enemies. The whole story is related in the Bible, in the book of Esther.

Historical Setting for Purim

According to this book of the Old Testament, Haman, which was the political advisor of the great king of Xerxes 1 of Persia, has planned to obliterate all the jews who were living in the Persian Empire. However, his plans were quickly foiled by a jew called Mordecai, who send word to his niece which in the meantime became queen Esther. She intervened for her people, asking for mercy, and the king spared the whole Jewish people. Moreover, he sentenced Haman to death.

Purim Customs and Traditions

There are many customs and traditions of this important Jewish celebration, but probably one of the most important is reading the whole story from the Megillah, which is the original scroll of Esther. For this special reading event, jews attend synagogue, where they express their gratitude to God for His deliverance. In addition to this tradition, there are other three that start with the same letter “M”.

– Matanot L’evyonim. This custom is still held today, when people give money and food to poor neighbors and orphans.

– Mishloach Manot. Sending food to friends and family members. Usually, jewish people send two different types of food to their relatives and dear ones.

– Mishteh. This habit involves a great party and a modern festive meal. Wine and meat are a must.

Traditionally, people dress up as characters of the real story, but today most kids and some adults prefer to dress as Harry Potter, Batman or other characters. Purim is slowly becoming another type of Halloween. Another important aspect of this unique Jewish holiday is represented by the food customs. As with other similar Jewish celebration, food plays a crucial role in Purim.

Purim Songs

There is a wide variety of songs of Purim, from traditional and liturgic to cultural and modern. Some of the traditional Purim songs are “LaYehudim haitahorah ve-simchah ve-yakar ve-sasson ” and of course “Mishenichnas Adar marbm be-simcha”. After the reading of the Megillah, the famous Shoshanat Yaakov prayer is normally sung. There are also hundreds of songs specially created for children. Some of the most reputable and well-known are: Ani Purim, Shoshanas Yaakov, MisheNichnas Adar, VeNahafoch Hu, Chag Purim, Kacha Ya’aseh, LaYehudim Hayesa Orah, U Mordechai Yatza, Chayav Inish and Utzu Eitzah.

A famous Purim song is Shoshanah Yakoov, also called the Rose of Jacob. This hymn is usually recited after the Megillah reading. The words are as follows: “The rose of Jacob was joyous and cheerful when they saw Mordechai’s blue royal robe. You have been their hope and everlasting redemption in every generation. Anyone who takes refuge in You will never be put to shame of humiliated. Cursed be Haman who wanted to destroy me, and blessed be Mordechai our jew. Cursed be Zeresh, Haman’s wife, and blessed be Esther who gladly interceded on our behalf. May Charvonah be remembered for his good deeds.”

Some of the most reputable Jewish artists today who sing all these amazing songs are: Dahlia Amihud, Avraham Horowitz, Emanuel Rosenberg, Emmanuel Fisher, Fran Avni and Miriam Avigal.

Purim is certainly a groundbreaking Jewish holiday that features some of the most interesting songs available in our modern age. Even if most of them are over 2500 years old, they are still used today.

For more information about Purim, see Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purim

This has been a guest post.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Want to sing better? Click on the picture below: