page_title: Purim
section_title: Carnival
hierarchical_section_title: Purim / Customs / Carnival
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Purim-Fest 2016 in Dresden
context_page_description: Purim is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, an Achaemenid Persian Empire official who was planning to kill all the Jews, as recounted in the Book of Esther.
  Haman was the royal vizier to King Ahasuerus, and he planned to kill all the Jews in the empire. His plans were foiled by Mordecai and Esther, his cousin and adopted daughter who had become Queen of Persia. The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and rejoicing.
  According to the Scroll of Esther, "they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor." Purim is celebrated among Jews by:
  Exchanging gifts of food and drink known as mishloach manot
  Donating charity to the poor known as mattanot la-evyonim
  Eating a celebratory meal known as a se'udat Purim
  Public recitation of the Scroll of Esther, known as kriat ha-megillah, usually in synagogue
  Reciting additions to the daily prayers and the grace after meals, known as Al HaNissim
  Other customs include wearing masks and costumes, public celebrations and parades, and eating hamantaschen; men are encouraged to drink wine or any other alcoholic beverage.
context_section_description: The most impressive part of the holiday is the carnival. Thousands of people take to the streets, showing off their costumes that they made especially for the holiday. Costumes at Purim are a special industry in Israel, and during this period the prices go up, which means Israelis try to buy their costumes in advance.
caption: Purim spiel (play) in Dresden, Germany
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