Celebrating Purim Around The World

Purim Has got to be one of my favourite Jewish Holidays. What’s there not to like about Purim? We get dressed up, eat a festive meal, give and receive gifts, and are even commanded to get drunk. Now how many religions out there actually forbid alcohol yet we Jews say it’s a holly thing to get totally inebriated to a point of not knowing who to bless and who to curse in the story of Purim.

I have spent many Purims with Jewish communities around the world to name a few Countries that come to mind; Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Thailand, Philippines, Nepal, and Brazil. There was something special and unique in each place I was. Brazil though was probably one of my favourites. On the eve of Purim I was invited to the Governors house in Sao Paulo for a Purim party which a friend of mine had organized. I did feel slightly underdressed in my backpackers clothing siting at a table conversing with the German Ambassador to Brazil who happened to be Jewish. We had some great conversations. I ate way to much food as I tried to gain wait after having been three weeks climbing Aconcagua; the highest mountain in South America, and losing to many Kilos.

Purim day, it was party after party like only the Brazilian people know. Wait Sorry…After the Purim party at the Governors home we went to a massive young adult party which went for most of the night. The food…the alcohol…the wonderful people…
Anyway I can go on for ages talking about the other three parties I went to Purim day and that was after a bris (circumcision) that took place in the Synagogue on Purim morning.

I read the Megila at a Chabad house, and to thank me the Shaliach gave me a Chitas. (a chitas is a book that comprises a number of Jewish holly books…Google it for more information )

So yes Purim around the world. I read the Megilah at the Chabad house in Manila, danced like crazy with hundreds of Israeli backpackers in Kathmandu and spoke to the Jewish community in Christchurch at their Purim celebration.
Purim is an awesome time to pray for anything because the gates of heaven are wide open. People think Yom Kippur is a holly day. True it is, though ‘Yom Kipurim’ as it is called means a day like Purim. Thus Purim in many ways is on a higher level.

So celebrate and remember the 4 main mitzvoth of the day:
1. Hear the Meggila
2. Eat a festive meal
3. Give some Charity
4. Give gifts of food to friends

And remember to drink something and celebrate with joy.
Purim Sameach.