PHOTO BY STEVE STEINER


Many people dress in costumes, following the theme of Purim as a holiday of disguise where nothing is as it seems. Synagogues and communities will hold plays and festivals for the day.

PHOTO BY STEVE STEINER


The Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther) gets read aloud at the Purim party held Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Coleman Bush Center in Lakeland. Purim is a festive Jewish holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from their enemies in the biblical Book of Esther. Purim is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month of Adar. Purim is so-called because the villain of the story, Haman, cast the "pur" (the lot) against the Jews yet failed to destroy them. (Source: About.com)

PHOTO BY STEVE STEINER


Rabbi Moshe Lazaros of Chabad of Polk County explains there are four traditions associated with Purim. Those traditions are:

1) Reading the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther)

2) Sending food to friends

3) Giving money to people of need

4) Have a festive meal with plenty of wine

PHOTO BY STEVE STEINER


Hungry Purim partygoers line up to enjoy dinner Sunday, Feb. 24, at the Coleman Bush Center in Lakeland. The meal at Purim is called a seudah.

PHOTO BY STEVE STEINER


Traditionally a noisemaker, or grogger, is sounded when Haman's name is said aloud during the reading of the Megillah of Esther.

PHOTO BY STEVE STEINER


It is a Purim tradition for adults to get drunk on wine, as per the Megillat Esther (Scroll of Esther 9:22) In practically every chapter of the Megillah, someone is imbibing heavily at a drinking party. And the scroll concludes with Mordecai's instruction to the entire Jewish people to celebrate these days as days of drinking and rejoicing.

(Source: myjewishlearning.com)