Purim

In 2026, Purim is begins the evening of Monday, March 2, and lasts through Tuesday, March 3.

Each year, Purim is observed on the 14th day of the Adar in the Hebrew calendar, which typically falls in March according to the Gregorian calendar. The holiday begins at sundown that day and lasts through sundown the following day.

Purim, which translates to “lots” in Hebrew and is sometimes called the Feast of Lots, is founded on the events told in the biblical Book of Esther, which dates back to the fifth century B.C. The narrative centers on Esther, an orphaned Jewish young woman raised by her cousin Mordechai who eventually ascends to the throne of Persia when she marries King Achashverosh.

Following Mordechai’s counsel, Esther conceals her Jewish identity from the king. However, when Haman, the king’s advisor, conspires to destroy all of Persia’s Jews, partly due to his hatred of Mordechai, Mordechai urges Esther to reveal her identity. Bravely, she chooses her people’s survival over her own safety, confronting Haman’s scheme and imploring the Jews to fast with her for three days before she approaches the king.

Esther’s plea “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16) becomes a defining moment of courage. The king ultimately sides with his wife, orders Haman’s execution and saves the Jewish people.

“It’s the story of human ingenuity, human courage and human bravery,” Rabbi Elaine Glickman of the Women’s Rabbinic Network told USA Today in 2023.

Notably, the Book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not directly mention God by name.

“There was not splitting of the sea or water turning into blood,” Rabbi Yehuda Lipskier, executive director of Chabad of the West Sixties synagogue in New York City, told Spectrum News NY1. “This was a natural event with political maneuvering.”

The Fast of Esther, known as Taʿanit Esther, precedes Purim and echoes Ester’s own fast. During Purim, there are four key traditions, called mitzvot (religious commandments), to observe:

1. The public reading of the Book of Esther, or the Megillah, is central to the holiday’s celebrations. The reading, usually in a synagogue, is traditionally performed twice (on both days of the festivities), and it is a boisterous affair, with loud cheers and jeers shouted whenever Haman’s name is mentioned. 2. Donate at least two gifts of charity, such as food, money or clothing, to people in need. 3. Share food with friends. 4. Enjoy a celebratory meal that features wine and meat. Dressing in costumes, especially for children, is also part of the Purim custom, as are parades, plays and carnivals. “The notion that everything is upside-down is very much a part of the tradition. Masquerading is something that’s been associated with Purim for hundreds of years,” Judaic studies professor Jonathan Krasner told Time.

Purim traditions often include the exchange of baskets, known as mishloach manot, filled with festive foods and wine or grape juice. One of the most popular treats is hamantasch, an iconic triangular-shaped pastry that symbolizes the three-sided hat said to be worn by Haman. The cookies (hamantaschen in the plural) can be filled with poppyseeds, chocolate, dates or jam.

Other customary dishes include kreplach—savory meat-filled dumplings served in soup—challah and blintzes. Celebrants often serve them at the Purim seudah, a feast with friends and family that typically begins in the afternoon and lasts well into the night.