….普珥節..The Festival of Purim….

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一般而言，普珥節在西方曆法的二月或三月舉行。

故事背景

普珥節記載在聖經《以斯帖記》，記念猶太人在主前483至471年從滅亡中得著釋放。亞哈隨魯王(波斯的薛西王一世)的大臣哈曼因為末底改不肯向他屈身下拜，所以獲悉末底改是猶太人之後，他興發一個要滅絶所有國內猶太人的念頭。末底改要求他的堂妹皇后以斯帖冒生命之險，為猶太人向王進言。禁食三天之後，以斯帖進到王的面前並且最終告之哈曼的詭計。猶太人得著拯救，哈曼和他的兒子們則被掛在木頭上。得釋放的日子成為了設宴歡樂的日子。

現代的慶祝活動

普珥節的慶祝活動包括頌讀《以斯帖記》的書卷、饋送禮物如食物和飲料，及救濟貧窮人。在大聲讀出書卷的時候，每當讀到哈曼的名字，猶太人就會發出鼓譟、嘶嘶的聲音，或者用一些用具發出嘈音。這些用具名叫 gragers，用意是要「遮蓋哈曼的名字」。

傳統上，猶太人會弄一種三角形的餡餅，稱為Hamantaschen。這種三角形的餡餅中間填滿了罌粟籽、梅乾或者其他果乾，然後送給友人和鄰舍。 Hamantaschen是一個德語/依地語(Yiddish)的詞語，意思指「哈曼的口袋」或「哈曼的耳朵」。Kreplach是另一個節日餸菜，用一些三角形的麵粉糰，中間包著碎肉和洋蔥，再放在濃湯內煮成。

其他習俗包括喝酒、戴面具、穿著特別的服裝和進行公眾慶祝。猶太人會載歌載舞，與嘉年華的氣氛差不多。有關普珥節最受人爭議的地方出現在《他勒目》：「男人有責任要讓自己在普珥節酩酊大醉，直至他自己不能辨認『哈曼受咒咀』和『末底改得祝福』。」 (Megillah 7b) [譯註：Megillah是希伯來文，意思指「卷軸」]

每一年，猶太人在猶太曆法的亞達月十四日慶祝普珥節，慶祝他們勝過仇敵。至於那些從約書亞年代就已經立了城牆的城市，當中的人則會在亞達月十五日才慶祝普珥節，並稱為「書珊普珥節」。今時今日，只有耶路撒冷是在十五日慶祝的。

創世記十二章3節：「為你祝福的，我必賜福與他；那咒詛你的，我必咒詛他。地上的萬族都要因你得福。」神昔日、今日都是信實的，成就祂的應許。每當祂的子民受到滅亡的威脅，神就會插手干預，因為這會危及祂的屬性。我們這些屬於主耶穌的人有十足的理據去慶祝。神對猶太人不變的保護能給我們盼望和平安，因為神是那位守約的神，祂的信實直到萬代。

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Observed typically in February or March

THE STORY

Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from destruction recorded in the book of Esther (between 483-471 B.C.). Haman, representative of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I of Persia), became angry with Mordecai when he refused to bow down to him. Knowing that Mordecai was Jewish, Haman came up with a plot to kill all the Jews in the empire. In the hope of stopping his plan, Mordecai persuaded Queen Esther (his cousin) to talk to the king on behalf of the Jewish people, putting her own life at risk. After fasting for three days, Esther went to the king and eventually told him of Haman’s plot. The Jewish people were saved and Haman and his sons were hanged. The day of deliverance became a day of feasting and rejoicing.

MODERN CELEBRATION

Purim is celebrated by reading the Scroll of Esther, giving gifts of food and drink and giving charity to the poor. As the Scroll is being read aloud, those listening boo, hiss and spin noisemakers each time Haman’s name is said. These noisemakers are called gragers, in order to “blot out the name of Haman.”

Hamantaschen, a three-corner cookie filled with poppy seeds, prunes, or other fruits is traditionally made and given to friends and neighbors. Hamantaschen is a German/Yiddish word meaning “Haman’s pockets,” or “Haman’s ears.” Kreplach, another festive dish, is made of noodle-like triangular pieces of dough, stuffed with a chopped meat and onion filling, and served in a thick soup as part of the holiday meal.

Other customs include drinking wine, wearing of masks and costumes and public celebration. There is singing, dancing, and an almost carnival-like atmosphere. The most controversial aspect of the Purim celebration is found in the Talmud: “It is the duty of a man to mellow himself [with wine] on Purim until he cannot tell the difference between ‘cursed be Haman’ and ‘blessed be Mordecai’’ (Megillah 7b).

Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th day of Adar, the day following the victory of the Jews over their enemies. In cities that were protected by a surrounding wall at the time of Joshua, Purim is instead celebrated on the 15th of the month on what is known as Shushan Purim. Today, only Jerusalem celebrates Purim on the 15th.

Genesis 12:3 says “And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” God was and is faithful to His promises. Anytime His people are threatened with destruction, God will intervene because His character is at stake. We as believers in Yeshua have reason to celebrate. God’s consistent protection of the Jewish people should give us a sense of hope and security. God is a covenant-keeping God who is faithful to every generation!

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