The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-06
PURIM'S MERRY FEAST.

Of all the Jewish holidays. the one offer
ing teh greatest opportunity for joyous
merrymaking is Purim, celebrated on the
18th day Of the Hebrew month Adar.
which fell on Tuesday, March l. The
day was not observed TO any extent by
the Hebrews in Wichita In fact, it is
not extensively celebrated anywhere in
the United States, except by newly ar
rived or strictly observing Jews.
Like all other Jewish holidays. which
must be carefully distinguished from holy
days, like New Year or the Day of Atone
ment, Purim is commemorative of the
earlier life Of the Jews
The story of Purim is told in the Book
Of Esther. Purim is, according TO Biblical
etymology, Feast of Lots from 'Pur.'
a Persian word meaning lot" referring
to the fact that Hannah cast lots to deter
mine the day for the total destruction of
the Jews. The day. according to Jewish
reckoning, always begins at sunset of the
day before, ard thus Purim is celebrated
also on The night of the 18th of Adar. The
day before Purim is called ''Taanith Es-
Their" the Fast Of Esther" in remem-
brance of the fast that had been imposed
fore she would undertake to intercede on
their behalf, and it is kept as a fast day
by strictly observing Jews.
on Purim. special prayers of praise and
thanksgiving are said, and the synagogue
service is marked by the reading of the
Book OF Esther both on the evening and
morning Of the holiday. The Book is not
read on this occasion from the ordinary
text Of the Cid Testament. but from
parchment scroll called the "MegilIah."
1t must be carefully written, on the skin
Of d certain animal. by Jewish "Sofer"
(scribe). with good ink. and not printed
although printed copies are used by men,
bers of the congregation. The names of
the sons of Hannah must be written on
separate lines one below the other. The
preceptor or reader. called "Chazan," is
forbidden TO recite the Book of Esther by
heart but is compelled TO have the text
before him while reading. He chants it in
melody unlike that which characterizes
the reading Of the Law. or the selections
from the Prophets. The reading of the
scroll is always preceded by a nappropri-
ate bcnedction.
From time immemoriaI it has been the
custom of. the younger people to drowh
the name of Hannah whenever it is men
toned in the scroll. The efforts Of the
sexton and the older folks to stop the dis
turbance is bur half hearted. for they re-
member sympathetically how they used to
do the same thing themselves on the
evening of Purim every worshipper puts
his contribution towards charity into
plate placed in the synagogue for this
collection. The scene Of the evening re-
pcats itself in the synagogue on the fol-
lowing morning. when the Meginah is
read for the second time. The observant
Jew feels that ne has not done his full
duty on this day by merely enjoying him
self but that he must also gladden. the
hearts Of others. as prescribed in the Book
of Esther. This IS done through the "Sha
ZACH Monoth.' the interchange of gifts.
consisting usually Of sweetmeats and
wine placed ON a plate and covered with
a snotlcss cloth. In some cases money is
concealed in the hamper. which is en-
trusted to the boys of the family for
delivery Thus the sending of gifts be-
comes a disguise for charity to poor rela-
tives and friends
The climax Of the ceIehra tion is the
S'uda. the principal meal Of the daY,
which is begun about twiist. and lasts
till late in the evening. Every housewife
takes special pride in eXcelling in the
preparation Of this feast, which may be
compared 20 the American Thanksgiving
dinner in that it is the occasion for fam
fly reunions. The stranger in the gate"
however is never forgotten. and many
poor person remembers long the taste Of
the Suda eaten in the house of one who
previously was a stranger TO him, but
whom he now counts his friend.
The manner of celebrating Purim as here
described by the New York Evening Post
IS carefully followed in Europe, especially
in those countries where the Jews are OPP
dressed