Purim in Israel

The celebration of Purim in Israel like most Jewish holidays includes liturgy, Bible reading (Book of Esther) and food (hamentaschen). Unlike solemn holy days like Yom Kippur, Purim is the Jewish carnival that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people during the ancient Persian Empire. So put on your masks and costumes join the annual Adloyada Parade. Even the reading of the Book of Esther is interrupted by the noise of the “gragers” which drown out the name of Haman, the vilain of Purim.

Adloyada

The Adloyada parade is a tradition dating back to the early days of Tel Aviv in 1912 initiated by Avraham Aldema. The parade was characterized by provocative costumes and pranks. In the beginning, the parade was called “carnival”. In 1923, a competition was held in order to find a new permanent name for the parade. Out of 300 submissions, author Isaac Dov Berkowitz’s entry Adloyada was chosen.

Adloyada means reaching a state of total intoxication – from the Aramaic expression stated by Rabbah in the Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Megilla: “It is the duty of a man to mellow himself … on Purim until he cannot tell the difference between ‘cursed be Haman’ and ‘blessed be Mordecai’.”

In Jerusalem, many celebrate Purim in Mahane Yehuda Market.

The Maccabeats – Purim Song

Purim in Tel Aviv 1932

The annual Purim parades began as a demonstration of the will of the renewed Zionist population in “Palestine”, just like Mordechai, the hero of Purim, to fight for their freedom.

Purim Adloyada in Tel Aviv 1934

Adloyada Parade in Tel Aviv 1956

David Ben-Gurion float at the Adloyada parade, 1998

Perfect Purim Hamantaschen Baked In Israel

As the name suggests, these tasty, sweet jam filled cookies may have originated in Europe. Literally it means eating “Haman’s Ear”  – in other words defeating your enemy.

Gragers (noise makers)

The noise makers are very popular among children. They can be wood, plastic or metal. Some even shoot caps and firecrackers.

Voice of Israel in Persian – Building Bridges Through Radio Broadcasts

Now Israel is using the Persian language again. This time to broadcast the real news to the citizens of Iran.