Jews party on Feast of Purim!

Jews relive the miraculous events of Purim by acting out the drama as it is read from the Scroll of Esther in the synagogue. The villain of the story is Haman, and every time his name is read, it is met by a thunderous roar of clapping, stamping feet, booing, and the grinding noise of twirling noisemakers called groggers. One tradition was to write Haman's name on the soles of the shoes. As the feet were stamped Haman's name was literally erased, in accordance with the curse God pronounced to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek [Haman's ancestor] from under heaven" (Deut. 25:19), because the Amalekites had attacked the unarmed Israelites as they passed through Sinai.

Through Queen Esther and Mordecai, the Jews are delivered from Haman's wicked plot to annihilate them, and a feast ensues which is commemorated every year since then. Presents are sent to one another and to the poor, and special holiday foods are enjoyed, one of which is Hamantashen, reminiscent of Haman's three-cornered hat. The holiday is also celebrated with masquerades, costumes, and carnivals. Little children really enjoy this holiday. The girls get to dress up as Queen Esther. In Israel there is a parade and carnival every year in Tel Aviv.

Purim is celebrated this year on March 16. In Israel it is celebrated an extra day. God has preserved the Jews throughout the ages, so He is the real hero behind this biblical story.