Purim Facts for Kids

Purim, Hebrew: פורים, means allotment or lots. It is a happy Jewish holiday. It celebrates the time when the Jewish people were saved from danger in ancient Persia.

The story of Purim comes from the Book of Esther in the Bible. It tells how the Jewish people were saved from a wicked plan.

Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. In the city of Jerusalem, it is celebrated on the 15th of Adar.

The Story of Purim
How Purim is Celebrated
Images for kids
See also

The Story of Purim

The story of Purim takes place in ancient Persia. A powerful king named Ahasuerus ruled a vast empire. His queen was Vashti, but she was removed from her position.

Esther Becomes Queen

The king then looked for a new queen. A young Jewish woman named Esther was chosen. She was very beautiful and kind. Esther had a cousin and guardian named Mordecai. He told her to keep her Jewish identity a secret.

Haman's Evil Plan

The king had a powerful advisor named Haman. Haman was very proud and wanted everyone to bow to him. Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. This made Haman furious.

Haman decided to get revenge on all Jewish people. He tricked King Ahasuerus into signing a law. This law said that all Jewish people in the empire should be killed. Haman chose the date for this terrible plan by casting lots (purim).

Mordecai and Esther Act

Mordecai learned about Haman's evil plan. He told Queen Esther she must speak to the king. Esther was afraid because no one could go to the king without being called. If the king did not hold out his golden scepter, they could be killed.

But Esther bravely decided to help her people. She asked all Jewish people to fast with her for three days. Then, she went to the king. The king welcomed her and asked what she wanted.

Haman's Downfall

Esther invited the king and Haman to two banquets. At the second banquet, Esther revealed Haman's plot. She told the king that Haman planned to destroy her and her people. The king became very angry.

Haman was punished for his evil actions. The king then allowed Mordecai to write a new law. This law let the Jewish people defend themselves. They fought against those who wanted to harm them and were victorious.

How Purim is Celebrated

Purim is a very joyful holiday. It is a time for celebration and giving thanks. There are several special ways people celebrate Purim.

Reading the Megillah

One important part of Purim is reading the Megillah. This is the Book of Esther. People gather in synagogues to hear the story. When Haman's name is read, people make noise with noisemakers called graggers. This is to drown out his name.

A wooden Purim gragger (noisemaker).

Giving Gifts

People also give gifts to each other on Purim. These gifts are called mishloach manot. They are usually baskets filled with food and treats. It is a way to share joy and friendship.

Gaily wrapped baskets of sweets, snacks and other foodstuffs given as mishloach manot on Purim day.

Charity and Feasting

Giving to those in need, called matanot la'evyonim, is also a big part of Purim. People give money or food to the poor. This helps everyone have a happy holiday.

A special meal, called a se'udat Purim, is eaten on Purim day. It is a festive meal with friends and family. People often eat special triangular cookies called hamantaschen. These cookies are filled with fruit or poppy seeds.

Homemade prune hamantaschen.

Dressing Up

Many people, especially children, dress up in costumes on Purim. They dress as characters from the Purim story or other fun characters. This adds to the festive and carnival-like atmosphere of the holiday.

People dressed up for Purim in Gan Shmuel Kibbutz, 1952.

Children during Purim in the streets of Jerusalem, 2006.

Purim in the streets of Tel Aviv, 2015.

Images for kids

The Triumph of Mordechai, 1624 painting by Pieter Pietersz Lastman (Rembrandt House Museum)
Esther Scroll
Haman defeated (1578 engraving)
Megillat Esther with Torah pointer
Orthodox Jewish men drinking at a Purim tish in Bnei Brak (2012)
Israeli girl dressed up as a cowboy while holding her Purim basket of candies (2006)
Purim spiel in Dresden, Germany (2016)
Purim woodcut (1741)
Megillah reading (1764)
Purim (1657 engraving)
Purim (1699 engraving)
1740 illumination of an Ashkenazic megillah reading. One man reads while another follows along and a child waves a noise-maker.
President of Israel Isaac Herzog attends megillah reading (2022).
Frozen-themed Megillah reading (2014).
18th-century manuscript of the prayer of Al HaNissim on the miracles of Purim.