Purim

Purim is one of the most cheerful holidays in the Jewish calendar. In fact, however, the Purim story from the Book of Esther has its dark side. The Biblical Megillat Esther recounts a plan to murder all the Jews in Persia.

The story tells of the evil vizier Haman, who wins King Ahasuerus’s (Artaxerxes II, 405-359 b.c.e.) consent for his plot, and of two Jews, Mordechai and his niece, the beautiful Esther, Ahasuerus’s queen who prevents the plan through an act of courage in the presence of the king. Hearing Esther’s plea, the king decides to kill not the Jews, but their enemies instead. This rescue is celebrated in late winter through feasts and costume parties and sending gifts of food to friends and the poor.

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 Judaica by Avi Biran in our online collections (in German)

Exhibition about Purim on Children’s Island (until 2017)

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