Purim in Auckland NZ:
A Purim party that takes place every year under the sign "Purim that cannot be remembered" has already earned its name as the best party in town.
On the eve of Purim, friends and guests gather to read the Megillah, followed by a party Ad Lo Yada (until one will not know).
On Purim afternoon, a happening for families is held with the reading of a scroll, competitions, performances and a Purim feast set for kings.
About Purim:
Purim is a holiday determined by Sages in the period before the building of the Second Temple, and is mentioned in the Bible in the Book of Esther. In most places in the world it falls on the 14th of Adar, and in the walled towns from the days of Yehoshua ben Nun, like Jerusalem, the holiday falls on the 15th of Adar. On the eve of the holiday, the thirteenth of Adar, is the fast of Esther fasting (Ta'anit Ester).
The holiday was set in memory of the miracle that G‑d performed with us during the exile of Persia between the destruction of the First Temple and the construction of the Second Temple, under the government of Ahasuerus, in saving the Jewish people from the decree of Haman to destroy the people, women and children. A rescue rolled up by the actions of Mordechai the Jew and Queen Esther
The Megilah Story can be found here.
The Four unique commandments were set for the holiday:
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Reading of the Megillah (book of Esther), which recounts the story of the Purim miracle. This is done once on the eve of Purim and then again on the following day.
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Giving money gifts to at least two poor people.
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Sending gifts of two kinds of food to at least one person.
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A festive Purim feast, which often includes wine or other intoxicating beverages.
Learn more about the four Purim mitzvahs here.
In addition, reciting the Torah in Parashat Mechiyat Amalek (Wiping Amalek out!!), reciting "And on the Miracles" in prayer and blessing, and the prohibition of eulogy and fasting. There are also many other traditions - such as costumes, beating the Haman, to drink 'to the point of ignorance' and more…
To Remember—Parshat Zachor
The Torah commands us to always remember what Amalek did. The sages understand from this that once a year we must read the verses of the Torah where Moses reminds the Jews of Amalek’s actions.
Indeed, each year on the Shabbat before the holiday of Purim we read the section of the Torah in Deuteronomy recounting Amalek’s action. On Purim the Jews were saved from the evil designs of the wicked Haman, a descendant of the Amalekite king Agag—a perfect time to celebrate the destruction of Amalek.
Read more about Parshat Zachor here:
The Meaning of Purim
In addition to the miracle of Jewish survival despite the efforts of our enemies, Purim celebrates G‑d’s intimate involvement in every aspect of this world. Even though there were no overt miracles recorded in the Megillah—indeed, His name is not even mentioned once—G‑d was actively “pulling the strings” to care for His nation.
Additionally, Haman’s edict catalysed a spiritual revival among the Jews. In a sense, this was even more significant than the Covenant at Sinai—an overwhelming spiritual experience that compelled the Jews to accept the Torah—since it occurred of their own volition, even as they were scattered among the Persian people and immersed in their culture. It was in the merit of this spiritual reawakening that G‑d orchestrated their salvation.
Operation Purim:
The Rebbe provoked Operation Purim, in which Chabad followers acquit as many Jews as possible of the holiday mitzvahs.
Uniquely, the joy of Purim was determined in Halacha to be an unlimited joy - "to the point of ignorance", unlike the joy of the other holidays which is limited. This joy stems from the exaltation of Israel that even during a dark period of exile, such as in the days of Mordecai and Esther, they awoke voluntarily and chose to connect with G‑d out of devotion.
Because of the unique virtue of the joy of Purim, this holiday will be the only one that will not be "canceled' in the future, in the days of Messiah.
