The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-03-13
PURIM.
The Fast of Esther and the Festival OF
tho Lots.

The Fast of Esther and the Festival OF
the Lots.
The Festival of Purim is annually celebra-
ted on the 14th and 18th of The month OF Adar,
preceded by the Fast Of Esther, which is held
on the 18th of the same month. 1t is called
Pnrim Iote) on account of the 'lots" which
were cast by Haman and his associates, as
to the day when the slaughter of the Jews was
to have taken place. This year the Fast of
Esther occurred on March IL. yesterday
and was observed By divine service and the
reading of the Book of Esther. To-day and
tomorrow will be devoted to the joyous cele.
braLlon of Purlm. In connection with the OBJ
servance OF "Merry Purim" among the des.
cendanls OF the ancient Hebrews all over The
world, the following extract from an article
in the Jewish Messenger will be read with In
teresl:
Instituted to commemorate The dellverance
of Israel from the destruction prepared for
them, Pnrim has become the occasion tor cor
dial merry-makiDg, kindly sentiments and ac-
tlona, family reunions, thoughtful assistance
10 The needy, and a source OF pride. and plea
aure 10 the Hebrews throughout the world.
Queen Esther was Jewess whom circum-
stances -ennobled. She became heroine
the saviour Of her people. a beautiful girl,
raised 10 queenly dignity because che found
grace In the eyes of the king, che employed
her elevation as means Tor the deliveraoce
of Ter fellow Israeliles from the aonlhilatlon
pl. 7ued by Haman. ObeyiDg her commands,
for she sti!l wields a sovereign sway over our
hearts, we devote Purim to Joy and gladness,
we strive 10 bury dissensions, to form and ios-
ter Few friendships, TO help and please one
another, and to succor the poor.
It Is strange that Purlm alone of oil the fes-
tIyas In the Jewish calendar has steadily
grown In importance, and has proved check
10 The progress of the destructive policy.
Purlm receives the homage of all classes nd
shades Of opinion in Israel-it exacts the re-
spect OF all non-Jewlsh ciLizens fortunate
enough to participate In The festivities. In no
part OF The world is IL celebrated with greater
spirit than In our country, where The story II
preserves In memory 80 well accords with the
air oil freedom all The Inhabitants OF the land
enloy Without fear or favor. Here, too, 1t has
ceased to be observed exclusively BY The de-
scendants of Mordecas generation. The most
enjoy able festival OF the year is Purlm, and
those who observe it with the heartiest relish,
aud who regard Its loss with the keenest dis
appointment, are Christians, no lees than
Hebrews.
The mission OF Purlm has been eminently
naDDV. FEOUl lllu6 ~ Hno bcCh
customary for young and old TO 90 IN bands
from house 10 house, indulging In innocent
revelry, assuming ABSURD disgulses, carrying
mlrlh and joyousness everywhere. Tbs not
sufficIng, they have arranged superb assem-
bllea, sometimes on magnificent scale as re
sppcis deegn and ex' cntion, which have COM
manded uniform satisfaction, and have been
unique for their spendor, iun and unexcep-
t,onable character. The moral effect OF this
~. lokr no
It is like The bread and salt Of the Arabs =
having once participated In the generous
Jewish hospitality, who can still cherish
prejudice against the Hebrew! Having en-
loved that beautiful spectacle Of the entire
lsraelite community, old and young, grave
and CAV, patriarch and child, celebrating IN
unison and with genial hilarlty the festival Oh
Purim-how can any one thencelortn preserve
an uukind opinion OF his Jewish loWnsmen
There is q cloud, nevertheless, that ooscnfes
at times the clear blue sky OF freedom-tnere
are Israelites In Europe not get redeemed
from The cruel oppression OF Haman. There
are Jewish homes envelope6 In gloom, TOR the
stern DEGREES of Russian aud Romanlan des-
pots demand The exile of father and son-for
Them, there ls no "llght, Joy, gladness and
honorn-ior them, the radiant hope, the Drill
liant prospect of Purim Is delusion, mock
cry. Let us bestow at least sympathetic
thought upon our unhappy brethren, who are
still deprived Of The blessings of freedom, VINO
still watch 40 earnestly The coming OF the Nor
decal to release them from the thraldom OF
Human.