Purim – The Festival of Giving

Purim is a Jewish festival celebrated annually on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, which usually falls out in February or March.

The festival of Purim celebrates the Jewish people in the 4^th century BCE, from destruction at the hands of an evil man, Haman. He was the Prime Minister of the Persian Empire, second only to King Ahasuerus. He was an anti-semite, who cast lots to decide on which day he was going to kill all the Jews.

King Ahasuerus was married to Esther, a Jewish woman who hid her identity, due to the anti-Jewish sentiments around the kingdom. When her Uncle Mordechai told her of Haman’s evil plot to kill the Jews, she instructed them to repent, fast and pray.

Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace, Queen Esther invited the King to a private feast. Once secure in the knowledge that the King adored her, she revealed her Jewish heritage. She explained to the King that Haman was planning to have her and her people killed. The King, furious with Haman, ordered his guards to hang him and appointed Mordechai as the new Prime Minister. Thus saving the Jews from destruction.

Customs of Purim

Purim is only one day long, but it is jam-packed with traditions and customs. One of the things I find the most interesting is that the festival of Purim is one that is impossible to celebrate alone. All other Jewish festivals do not require you to interact with other people. However, on Purim, in order to fulfil the requirements of the day, one must give money for food to the poor, gifts of food to friends or family and share in a feast with friends, in commemoration of the feasts of Esther.

Other interesting traditions include dressing up, in parallel to the hidden identity of Esther and reading the Purim story from a handwritten scroll called the Megillah. The most famous Purim food is hamentaschen, otherwise known and Haman’s pockets or ears. They are triangular-shaped biscuits traditionally filled with poppy seeds. Nowadays, the local baker will often fill them with chocolate, jam or custard.

This Purim, you might want to serve dried fruit or nuts at your Purim feast, along with all the other delicious delicacies at your table.

For your Mishloach Manot, try our chocolate dipped fruit – apricots, oranges, lemons and more! Packed in a gorgeous scroll reminiscent of the Megillah scroll itself!

For more kosher gifts, go to: https://walnut.gifts/product-category/1p-kosher/

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Supplied under own brand or white label to prestigious stores, palaces, castles, stately homes, garden centres, delicatessens, farm shops, hamper companies, department stores and gift shops.

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Walnut Tree supports Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity with dried fruit for their care packages. www.futuredreams.org.uk

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Purim