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Purim

Purim is one of the most cheerful holidays in the Jewish calendar. At its center is the Megillat Esther, the biblical story from the Book of Esther—a story that, despite its happy ending, also has a dark side. It tells of the planned murder of the Jews in ancient Persia.

As a Jew, Esther belongs to a minority in her country. She also conceals her origins from her husband, King Ahasuerus (Artaxerxes II, 405–359 BCE). But when Haman, an influential advisor to the king, hatches a plan to destroy all Jews, Esther puts her own life at risk. She appears before the king unannounced—a dangerous move—and reveals Haman's plot. Through her courageous actions, Esther succeeds in saving her people.

What is Megillat Esther?

Megillah (Hebrew for scroll), Megillat Esther contains the biblical Book of Esther and is read aloud on the festival of Purim.

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Every year in spring, Jews commemorate the biblical story of their savior Esther on Purim. The celebration involves costumes, rattles, and sweet hamantashs. It is also traditional to give food to friends and people in need.

Purim noisemaker shaped like a hamantash, by Avi Biran, Irael 2008; Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Roman März. Further information about this object in the digitized holdings of our collection (in German)

Three-cornered silver noisemaker with Hebrew lettering, containing small bells

Purim noisemaker shaped like a hamantash, by Avi Biran, Irael 2008; Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Roman März. Further information about this object in the digitized holdings of our collection (in German)

Purim. Celebrate Who You Are The video by JMB di.kla – The Digital Classroom shows why and how Jews celebrate Purim.; Jewish Museum Berlin 2025

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  • Creative puppet theater project for Purim: Using homemade theater puppets, children from the Masorti e.V. Sunday school reenact the biblical story of Queen Esther; Jewish Museum Berlin 2025

  • Purim display case: The scroll of Esther tells the story of Esther, the Jewish woman who prevented the mass killing of the Persian Jews 2,500 years ago. Exhibition with puppets from the Helmi Puppet Theater. Jewish Museum Berlin

  • Haman, the closest adviser of King Ahaseuerus, plans to kill the Persian Jews out of rage. Esther tells her husband, the king, that she is a Jew herself, thereby foiling Haman’s evil plan. Exhibition with puppets from the Helmi Puppet Theater. Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

  • Purim is a day for remembering the rescue of the Persian Jews. Because it is a celebration, people wear costumes. Exhibition with puppets from the Helmi Puppet Theater. Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

Creative puppet theater project for Purim: Using homemade theater puppets, children from the Masorti e.V. Sunday school reenact the biblical story of Queen Esther. The colorful backgrounds were contributed by children from Afghanistan in a painting workshop. The workshops took place as part of the community programs at the Jewish Museum Berlin; Jewish Museum Berlin 2025

Cloth puppets walking on a parchment scroll with writing and illustrations

Purim display case: The scroll of Esther tells the story of Esther, the Jewish woman who prevented the mass killing of the Persian Jews 2,500 years ago. Exhibition with puppets from the Helmi Puppet Theater. Jewish Museum Berlin

Esther and Ahasuerus as cloth puppets

Haman, the closest adviser of King Ahaseuerus, plans to kill the Persian Jews out of rage. Esther tells her husband, the king, that she is a Jew herself, thereby foiling Haman’s evil plan. Exhibition with puppets from the Helmi Puppet Theater. Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

Cloth puppets wearing masks

Purim is a day for remembering the rescue of the Persian Jews. Because it is a celebration, people wear costumes. Exhibition with puppets from the Helmi Puppet Theater. Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert