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Purim.
Hag sameah! Purim the merriest holiday of the Jewish year is around. Purim came to us as the holiday commemorating the miracle of physical survival of our nation which took place in Persia between 536-516 B.C. It is the holiday of utmost happiness and rejoicing, when the atmosphere of slight drunkenness is created. All the other Jewish holidays have their limitations and restrictions of Holiness and seriousness, the merriment of Purim is overwhelming, it envelopes everybody. If a Jew is a little bit drunk during any other Yom Tov it is considered a shame, while when celebrating Purim it is a mitzvah. As our Sages say : " One is to be as drunk as not to be able to distinguish between "damn be Haman" and "blessed be Mordechai". Purim influences the whole month of Adar. Our sages tell us : "When Adar enters, we increase our happiness" Furthermore, Adar is considered the month of blessing, success and well-being. This year is a lip one, it means it has two months of Adar - Adar Rishon and Adar Sheni. So the Jewish people is blessed with 60 merry days. 14 Adar Rishon is the day of Purim Katan. The day was marked by ball - masquerade. The children had to make the dress, to show it and to speak about it. It was done nicely with great sense of humor. On the eve of the holiday the oldest children beginning with the 7-th grade went to the synagogue. The program consisted of games, contests and prizes. Then Rabbi Shneur Kot read Megillat Esther. The next day was the holiday itself, with no lessons. After breakfast the children went to the synagogue, they participated in the morning prayer, listened once more to the Megillat as the commandment says. The children divided the presents made in advance to those present at the synagogue. Returning to school the girls baked the traditional cakes - homentashen. The pupils had a nice possibility to buy candies for dollars received during the month for their good deeds. In the gymnasium the large clown was collected. The balloon clown was very funny, as each class made one part of it independently. The clown was solemnly delivered to the Hall. The tables are laid already. The festive meal began. Later it was time for Purimschpiel. Each class prepared something original, the clothes also were home-made. So one by one each class presented what they have prepared. The performance was accompanied with lovely merry music. Between the appearances there were games, competitions and lavish prizes. Each pupil prepared a humorous assignment for somebody else. The assignments were honored. Everybody was merry, even the teachers began to dance. Nobody wanted to finish, still it was time to. The children were tired but happy, each of them got a prize. In the afternoon there was a party in the Conference Hall of the hotel "Riga". The program was very interesting, apart from the delicious meal there was Purimschpiel performed by the actors of Riga Russian Drama Theatre as well as Kleizmer assembly, Rabbi Shneur Kot read Megillat Esther for the last time this year, there were games and competitions till late at night. back |
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