Is Purim Just Another Halloween?

Is Purim Just Another Halloween?

Purim is not a Jewish Halloween. Although we traditionally dress up in costumes of Bible heroes, eat, and have fun, Purim is about as different from Halloween as butterflies are from bats.

Purim is a celebration of yet another time when we allowed our walk with God to become too infrequent and impersonal, another time when the people of this world tried to wipe us out, and another time when God intervened as we sought Him in prayer for deliverance. History repeats itself; not much changes except the dates on the calendar and the names of the people God uses.

Where are we today in this circle of repeating history? Are we in the calm before the storm? In the time of slackness on our part? On the verge of the next great calamity to befall us? Or is all that behind us now? Are we living in the promised time of eternal bliss, with no more suffering, no more pain, no more worries, no more fears? Or are we living in the time when more than ever before we need to be watchful and awake, a time when we need to be closer to God then every before? Is God calling you and me to stand like Mordecai and Esther, to stand for God, His word, and His law, to stand against the man-made laws of this world, to stand against oppression and bigotry?

The greatest want of this world is the want of men and women who will not be bought or sold, men and women who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men and women who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men and women whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men and women who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.

Is God calling you and me for such a time as this? Is He calling us to stand for Him and be willing to say with Esther, "If I perish I perish"?

Much more than playing with groggers, eating hamantashens, dressing up, and having fun, the essence of Purim is to stand with and for God. This is the essence of our calling as His people.

--Written by Jeffrey Alan

Related Articles

More From Holy Days Articles

Yeshua Offers Living Water

In Yeshua's day, a common practice during the seven days of Sukkot was that of a Nisuch…
Yeshua Offers Living Water

Purim Grogger

This is one of our green crafts that reuse household objects and turn them into symbolic or…
Purim Grogger
Simchat Torah

Simchat Torah

Have you ever been to a simcha? A simcha is a celebration.
Simchat Torah
Vegan Challah with Raisins

Vegan Challah with Raisins

Ingredients: 2 packages dry yeast 2 cups warm water (105°F-115°F) 1/2 cup sugar, divided 3…
Vegan Challah with Raisins

Matza Pizza

Ingredients:• 1 matza• tomato paste• choice of toppings: mushroom, onions, peppers, artichokes,…
Matza Pizza
Water Immersion (Tevilah Mikveh)

Water Immersion (Tevilah Mikveh)

Water immersion (tevilah mikveh) ... repentance--and therefore forgiveness--is a predominant…
Water Immersion (Tevilah Mikveh)

Sweet Potato Kugel

SWEET POTATO KUGEL(From No Cholesterol Passover Recipes, by Debra Wasserman)Serves 12.…
Sweet Potato Kugel

Rejoicing with the Family of God

From night one of the festival of Sukkot, when that first meal is enjoyed with family and…
Rejoicing with the Family of God
Illustration:

Porkless Shavuot

Calculating the time it took to go from Egypt to Mount Sinai, it is most likely that Moses was…
Porkless Shavuot

Lime-in-the-Coconut Macaroons

Lime zest is a fresh addition to macaroons, and a Microplane is our zesting tool of choice. If…
Lime-in-the-Coconut Macaroons
Western Wall Prayers and Letters

Letters to God

As the High Holy Days approached, Danny Goldstein, the Post Director in Israel, met with Rabbi…
Letters to God

Dip Your Apple...

Jewish tradition requires us to dip our apple in honey on Rosh Hashana!
Dip Your Apple...
What is a Dreidel Really?

What is a Dreidel Really?

Dreidels are often used to play a game during Hanukkah to win chocolate coins also known as…
What is a Dreidel Really?

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation