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Mark your calendars for an exciting celebration this March 24, for Purim! This joyful Jewish holiday commemorates the brave Esther, who saved her people from villainous plans in ancient Persia. The story is filled with thrilling twists and turns, and to this day, we celebrate Purim with great gusto. We honor Esther's courage with fantastic feasts, vibrant costumes, and the delightful tradition of baking and eating hamentashen—triangular cookies filled with sweet goodness. Unmask your joy and join us in jubilation! The story of Purim is a testament to bravery and a reason for joyous merrymaking, so let's dive into the celebration with all our hearts!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>539 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Persian Empire Emergence</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Persian Empire, the setting for the Purim story, is established by Cyrus the Great.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>474 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Purim Story Unfolds</div><div class='timeline-text'>The events of the Book of Esther, which is the basis of Purim, take place during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I).</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Mid 400s BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Book of Esther Written</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Book of Esther is written, narrating the saga which is commemorated during Purim.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Purim Plays Popularized</div><div class='timeline-text'>Purim spiels, playful retellings of the Book of Esther, grow in popularity as a way to celebrate the holiday.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Purim in Israel</div><div class='timeline-text'>Purim is institutionalized as a national holiday in Israel, and multiple traditions including eating hamentashen and wearing costumes are widely practiced.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Bake your own Hamentashen</h3><p class='facts-text'>With a triangular shape representing Haman's hat, these cookies are a delicious and meaningful part of the Purim tradition. Get creative with fillings like traditional poppyseed, chocolate, or even your favorite fruit preserve.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a costume party</h3><p class='facts-text'>In the spirit of mockery and merriment against Haman, throw a costume party with friends and family. You can even make it more exciting by hosting a contest for the best outfit.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create Purim gift baskets</h3><p class='facts-text'>Also known as mishloach manot, the act of making and giving gift baskets to friends and neighbors is a meaningful Purim tradition. Fill baskets with Hamentashen, fruits, nuts, wine, and other goodies to share the joy.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Organize a Purim Feast</h3><p class='facts-text'>Known as the Seudat Purim, the feast is a highlight of the celebration. Include traditional foods like kreplach (meat filled dumplings), challah bread, and of course, plenty of Hamentashen for dessert.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Stage a Purim Play</h3><p class='facts-text'>Purim is all about storytelling. Gather your friends or family and put on a play telling the story of Esther’s bravery in saving her people. Kids and adults alike will enjoy breathing new life into this ancient tale.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Fun and Creative Celebrations</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Purim is a holiday filled with a variety of cultural and culinary experiences. From baking our own Hamentashen to dressing up in costumes to hosting feasts, there's a whole array of traditions that make celebrating Purim an enjoyable and creative affair. Plus, making gift baskets to share the joy is a fun and meaningful way of fostering community bonds.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'> It commemorates an ancient story of bravery</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The story behind Purim is a testament to the courage of Esther and an example of how one person's bravery can save many. This powerful narrative remains relevant today, serving as an inspiration to stand against injustice. Each time we celebrate Purim, we not only enjoy lively festivities but also recall the heroic acts of Esther, maintaining this important link to our heritage.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It involves immersive storytelling</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>One of the main draws of Purim is the opportunity for creative storytelling. Staging a Purim play is an engaging, immersive way to retell and reconnect with the holiday's history. It offers a unique platform for audiences, especially children, to learn about the story of Esther in an entertaining and unforgettable way.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Purim Is Celebrated on Different Dates Every Year</h3><p class='facts-content'>Unlike fixed-date holidays on the Gregorian calendar, Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar on the Hebrew calendar. As a result, the festival's date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, usually falling in late winter or early spring.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Story of Purim Is Read From a Scroll Called a Megillah</h3><p class='facts-content'>Each Purim, the story of Esther is read aloud from an intricately handwritten scroll known as a Megillah. Listeners are encouraged to boo and shake noise-makers called groggers whenever Haman's name is mentioned.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Fasting Is Also a Part of Purim Tradition</h3><p class='facts-content'>Before the festivities begin, there's a day-long fast, known as the Fast of Esther. This commemorates Queen Esther's three-day fast in preparation for her audience with the king.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Purim Is One of the Most Philanthropic Jewish Holidays</h3><p class='facts-content'>One of the Purim mitzvahs (commandments) is matanot la'evyonim, which means gifts for the poor. It's traditional to give money, food, or other gifts to at least two people in need during Purim.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Purim Is Celebrated Differently in Jerusalem</h3><p class='facts-content'>Within the walled cities like Jerusalem, Purim celebrations take place a day later. This is called Shushan Purim, named after the ancient capital of Persia, where the Purim story took place.</p></div></div>
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