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Washington Hebrew Congregation

HOW TO PURIM
or
The Perfect Recipe for a Purim Party

How often do you get a holiday where the Eternal commands you to have a ball? In honor of all the feasting done by Purim's favorite King Ahashuerosh & Queen Esther, Purim is a time to either throw a party or attend one.

Read the Megilla (The scroll of Esther), eat, drink*, sing, drink, discuss or playact Purim story, drink, read Megilla again, drink, give money to the poor, drink, eat, drink, give Mishloach Manot (yummy gifts to friends and family), drink, eat, drink, sing, drink, sleep, wake up with Excedrin Headache #6*. Sounds good doesn’t it?! *Adults only!!!

There are many different recipes for a perfect Purim celebration, however the main ingredients are always the same (just like any Jewish dish, right?).

But has the celebration of Purim always been this way? Is this how Jews around the world throughout the ages have paid tribute to the most merry of Jewish holidays? To a large extent, yes: Though not necessarily in this order, the celebrations usually include all of the above elements. (Well, fine. Not everyone necessarily wakes up the next morning with a headache.)

Here are the basic ingredients and directions that Jewish Law recommends:

• Ingredient 1. Reading the Megillah
• Ingredient 2. Mishloah Manot
• Ingredient 3. Matanot le-Evionim (Gifts for the poor)
• Ingredient 4. Having fun and Masking it up!
• Directions

[click on the links above or boxes below to see the ingredients]