Purim: From Ancient Persia to Tel Aviv's Streets
- Shani Levy-Richards
- Mar 30
- 6 min read
פּוּרִים
Purim occurs on the 14th day of the month of Adar in the Jewish calendar, which this year landed on the evening of March 13th through the evening of the 14th. This holiday is based on the events described in the Book of Esther, and dates back to the 5th century BCE. It is one of the only holidays that celebrates a story in which God is not referenced, and instead focuses on Jewish survival and resilience in the face of antisemitism and a plot to destroy them. Purim is celebrated by reading the Scroll of Esther (Megillah), festive meals, giving gifts to those in need, celebrations and parades, and wearing costumes - which has fueled its reputation as a “Jewish Halloween.”
The Book of Esther
The story found in the Book of Esther is set during the reign of King Xerxes I (referred to as King Ahasuerus in this story) of ancient Perisa, who reigned from 486 - 465 BCE in the city of Susa, a capital of the Persian Empire. The events of the story take place in the 5th century BCE, and begin when the Persian King banished his queen Vashti for her refusal to attend his banquet. Xerxes I requested that beautiful young women be brought to him from his kingdom, and from those women chose Esther, who hid her identity as a Jew on her cousin Mordecai’s suggestion.
Mordecai had raised Esther, and one day overheard a plot which involved killing King Ahasuerus. Mordecai informed Esther of this plot, and she told the king, who thwarted the attempt on his life. His act of heroism was recorded in the Royal Chronicles, and stored away.
King Ahasuerus had an advisor named Haman, who is the antagonist in the story of Esther and Mordecai. Haman is said to be a descendant of the Amalekites, who were historical enemies of the Israelites. When Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, Haman devised a plan to seek revenge against him due to his wounded pride and deep seated dislike of the Jewish people. Haman begins to manipulate King Ahasuerus to make him believe that Jews are a threat to the kingdom as they do not respect the king's laws, and therefore deserve to be exterminated. Through a lottery, Haman chose the day for which the Jews would be exterminated to be the 14th of the month of Adar, which would later be known by the Jewish people to be Purim. King Ahasuerus approved his plan, still unaware of Queen Esther’s identity. The word Purim is devised from the word ‘lots’ (pur) in Hebrew, referring to the lots in which Haman drew from to choose this date. (‘pur’ = פּוּר)
One night, King Ahasuerus was reading the Royal Chronicles, and stumbled upon the record of Mordecai’s act of loyalty in preventing the plot of his assassination. The King wished to honor Mordecai, and asked Haman “What should be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Haman, believing that the king was referring to himself, proceeded to suggest a lavish ceremony, which included a parade on the king's own horse, dressing in royal garments, and a proclamation of the individual's greatness. Haman was infuriated to learn that these honors would be given to Mordecai.
Humiliated, Hamam's vendetta against the Jews grew, and he ordered the construction of gallows for Mordecai. Mordecai soon learned of his plot to exterminate all the Jews in Persia. Again, he passed the knowledge of this threat to his cousin Esther, and urged the Queen to do something to stop it.
Queen Esther hosted a banquet for King Ahasuerus and Haman after learning of Haman’s plot. At this banquet, Esther courageously revealed her identity as a Jew, and announced Haman’s treachery against her people. The king was furious that Haman had plotted against his wife, and ordered his execution on the gallows that he had made for Mordecai. King Ahasuerus granted the Jewish people the right to defend themselves against those who wished to exterminate them through a new decree.
The 13th day of Adar, the Jewish people of Persia defended themselves against Haman’s supporters who wished for their downfall. Those who were emboldened by the king's earlier decree which legitimized Haman’s planning of their attack rose against the Jewish people, and in the city of Susa, victory was granted to the Jewish people on the 15th of Adar.
Celebrations
The reading of the Megillah (The Book of Esther) is traditionally done during Purim. The reading is done once on the evening of Purim, and again the following morning. Usually, listeners will boo or create noise anytime Haman’s name is mentioned as the story progresses. Plays or comedic skits have evolved from the readings of the Megillah, where communities will retell the story in engaging and entertaining ways. These plays have become a favorite tradition for many Jewish people during Purim.
Festive meals, like with most Jewish holidays, is tradition with Purim as well as gift giving. Gifts are given to friends and family, though another aspect of Purim is giving to charity by giving at least two gifts to the poor. This is done to ensure that everybody can participate in the festivities of Purim.
What may be the most well-known tradition of Purim is the aspect of partying and dressing up in costume. The aspect of dressing up in costume has been associated with Halloween, though it reflects Esther's hidden identity when she became queen. Costumes symbolize not only that people or things may not always be what they seem, but also a reversal of fortune. In the Book of Esther, the Jewish people reversed the fate of what was supposed to be the day of their destruction into a day of resilience and victory. With most Jewish holidays, the celebrations that accompany Purim represent the joy and gratitude for Jewish survival, and the celebration of Jewish life. Purim has had a dramatic impact in Jewish communities, most notably in Israeli cities.
Journalist Rachel Neiman credits Tel Aviv’s party reputation to Purim celebrations, which date back to the first Adloyada Purim parade in 1912. Tel Aviv has been the host of Purim parties for over a century, and it began with students, workers, artists, and musicians parading through the streets. Meir Dizengoff (the first mayor of Tel Aviv and head of its founding Ahuzat Bayit society) made these Purim parades annual, and over time the festival evolved as groups like Hevre Trask (known for their chaotic and loud behavior) collaborated with figures like Baruch Agadati, who introduced Purim balls and beauty pageants.
The Purim parades became a reflection of the times, where artists, writers, and public figures shaped the themes of the parade. Topics like Jewish immigration to the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe were portrayed through art and performance, and floats served as a platform for political commentary. The German Consulate demanded an apology from Tel Aviv Mayor Dizengoff in 1933 for the parades’ depiction of Adolf Hitler holding a spear over two corpses with a sign saying ‘Death to All Jews.’ Dizengoff refused, and responded: “It is clear that this display is nothing but a spontaneous reaction reflecting a public view that is unwilling to accept the fate of the Jews of Germany. In fact, one wonders why the protest was not even sharper…”
By 1936, British restrictions, budget issues, and Dizengoff’s death resulted in the end of the annual Adloyada Purim parade. It made a comeback in Tel Aviv in 1955, later moved to Holon in the ‘70s, and returned to Tel Aviv’s on Sheinkin Street in the 1980s in a new way which reflected the rebellious spirit of the times. The parade featured punk rock music and art which lasted for days, and a street party which spread through the city, managing to embrace the chaotic energy of the early Adloyada celebrations without the government sponsorship.
Though the last official Adloyada Purim parade was held in 1998, the term Adloyada evolved to refer to Purim parades held throughout Israel. The term Adloyada was coined by poet Isaac Dov Berkowits, who found it in a passage in the Babylonian Talmud which states that on Purim, one should drink wine until they can’t tell the difference between the “cursed Haman and the blessed Mordecai”.
Tel Aviv has only grown as a center of political commentary, artistic expression, and partying. Purim evolved into a holiday where any and all kinds of celebrations take place, from family-friendly events to disorderly costume parties. In Israel, the streets come alive with parades, street fairs, community gatherings, and concerts. Traditional foods like hamantaschen are shared, and the environment yields a sense of unity and joy within the Jewish community.
Purim is primarily a holiday to celebrate Jewish resilience, and celebrate life. The 2025 celebrations featured these aspects along with a unifying symbol of honor for the fallen Bibas children, who were murdered by Hamas during their captivity in Gaza. One of the boys, Ariel, loved the DC character Batman, so children across Israel and other parts of the world dressed up as Batman during this year's Purim celebrations.
Throughout times of global anti-Semitism, persecution, terror, and tragedy, Purim celebrations remind the Jewish people of their strength and resilience, turning moments of fear into moments of community and joy. The holiday’s tradition of satire, parades, music, and costume serves as a powerful reminder that Jewish identity and culture will endure not only through survival, but celebration.
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