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PURIM (JEWISH FESTIVAL)

When is Purim (Jewish Festival) in 2024?

Purim (Jewish Festival) in 2024 is on the Sunday, 24th of Mar (3/24/2024).

Purim (Jewish Festival) is on the 84th day of 2024. There are 282 days left in the year.

Purim (Jewish Festival) Facts

  • Date: Mar 24, 2024
  • Religious
  • Also Called:
  • Celebrations: Listening to the Book of Esther, Gift exchange, making donation to poor, Wearing interesting outfi
Purim  (Jewish Festival) iImage Credit: wikiPedia

Purim is a Jewish festival which is celebrated to commemorate the protection of Jewish people from Haman, according to Hebrew Bible- the Book of Esther. The day is celebrated on the 14th day of the month of Adar according to Jewish calendar. In Jerusalem, the festival is celebrated on the 15th day of Adar.

According to the Book of Esther, Haman, who was a confidante of King Ahasuerus, hatched a plan to terminate all the Jews the King's empire. However, his plans of exterminating the Jews from the empire were thwarted by Mordecai and Queen Esther, who was Mordicai's adopted daughter. Thus, the Jews achieved victory over their enemies and hence, the following day became a day to celebrate and rejoice.

Although the origins of Purim are with religious connotations, the celebrations of the festival are more nationalistic than of religious value. Thus, even though the day is a designated holiday for schools and government offices, businesses continue to function normally on this day.

One of the most important traditions of the day is hearing to the public reading of the Book of Esther. Historically, the public reading of the book was done on Purim only. After the recommendations of Rabbi Joshua in 3rd century BC, the Book of Esther began to be read on the day prior to Purim as well. That tradition continues till this day.

Another interesting part about the tradition is the obligation for women to read the book. In orthodox Jewish cultures, women are generally discouraged from reading the book. Owing to the participation of a woman, Queen Esther, in protecting the Jews, it is mandatory for women to read the Book of Esther on Purim.

Other than that, gifts are exchanged between family and friends. While different kinds of gifts are exchanged between friends and relatives, it is obligatory to exchange food gifts on this day. The probable reason behind this obligation is the fact that the day after the Jewish victory of Haman, people rejoiced and exchanged gifts, of which food was a major part.

People are also encouraged to make donations to the poor on this day. In fact, helping poor people on Purim is one of the four obligations as laid down by the Jewish religion. The fourth obligation is having a festive meal on the day, in order to rejoice the victory of Jews over their enemy.

While the obligations of the day date back to years ago, several modern traditions have emerged for Purim over time. An interesting Purim tradition is that of masquerading in interesting outfits. Some believe that the tradition originated somewhere in the 15th century when Italian Jews started emulating the European carnival. Others believe that this is done in order to emulate the fateful day, when God disguised Himself in order to protect the Jews from Haman.

Purim (Jewish Festival) Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME
  • Thu
  • Mar 08, 2012
  • Fri
  • Mar 09, 2012
  • Sun
  • Feb 24, 2013
  • Mon
  • Feb 25, 2013
  • Sat
  • Mar 15, 2014

List of Religious Holidays of Jewish in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
SundaySunFeb 05, 2023Feb 05Tu Bishvat
MondayMonMar 06, 2023Mar 06Purim
WednesdayWedMar 08, 2023Mar 08Shushan Purim
WednesdayWedApr 05, 2023Apr 05Passover - First Day
ThursdayThuApr 13, 2023Apr 13Passover - Final Day
TuesdayTueApr 18, 2023Apr 18Yom Hashoah
TuesdayTueApr 25, 2023Apr 25Yom HaZikaron
WednesdayWedApr 26, 2023Apr 26Yom HaAtzma'ut
FridayFriMay 05, 2023May 05Second Passover
TuesdayTueMay 09, 2023May 09Lag BaOmer
FridayFriMay 19, 2023May 19Yom Yerushalayim
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25Shavuot (1st day)
FridayFriMay 26, 2023May 26Shavuot
WednesdayWedJul 26, 2023Jul 26Tish'a B'Av
FridayFriSep 15, 2023Sep 15Rosh HaShana Starts
SundaySunSep 17, 2023Sep 17Rosh HaShana Ends
MondayMonSep 18, 2023Sep 18Fast of Gedaliah
MondayMonSep 25, 2023Sep 25Yom Kippur
FridayFriSep 29, 2023Sep 29Sukkot Starts
FridayFriOct 06, 2023Oct 06Sukkot Ends
SaturdaySatOct 07, 2023Oct 07Shmini Atzeret
SaturdaySatOct 07, 2023Oct 07Simchat Torah
ThursdayThuDec 07, 2023Dec 07Hanukkah Starts
FridayFriDec 15, 2023Dec 15Hanukkah Ends

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
ThursdayThuJan 12, 2023Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
ThursdayThuJan 19, 2023Jan 19National Popcorn Day
WednesdayWedFeb 01, 2023Feb 01National Signing Day
ThursdayThuFeb 02, 2023Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 03, 2023Feb 03National Wear Red Day
ThursdayThuFeb 09, 2023Feb 09National Pizza Day
MondayMonFeb 13, 2023Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 14, 2023Feb 14Valentine's Day
WednesdayWedFeb 15, 2023Feb 15National Bagel Day
SaturdaySatFeb 18, 2023Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
TuesdayTueFeb 21, 2023Feb 21National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 22, 2023Feb 22National Margarita Day
FridayFriMar 03, 2023Mar 03National Employee Appreciation Day
TuesdayTueMar 07, 2023Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 12, 2023Mar 12Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 13, 2023Mar 13National Napping Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Walkout Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Pi Day
MondayMonMar 20, 2023Mar 20National Proposal Day
ThursdayThuMar 23, 2023Mar 23National Puppy Day
ThursdayThuMar 30, 2023Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 05, 2023Apr 05National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 06, 2023Apr 06National Burrito Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07National Beer Day
TuesdayTueApr 11, 2023Apr 11National Pet Day
WednesdayWedApr 12, 2023Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 04, 2023May 04National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 14, 2023May 14Mother's Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Towel Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 02, 2023Jun 02National Donut Day
ThursdayThuJun 08, 2023Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 18, 2023Jun 18Father's Day
WednesdayWedJun 21, 2023Jun 21National Selfie Day
ThursdayThuJun 22, 2023Jun 22National Kissing Day
TuesdayTueJul 11, 2023Jul 11Amazon Prime Day
ThursdayThuJul 13, 2023Jul 13National French Fry Day
FridayFriJul 14, 2023Jul 14National Nude Day
SundaySunJul 16, 2023Jul 16National Ice Cream Day
WednesdayWedJul 19, 2023Jul 19National Hot Dog Day
MondayMonJul 24, 2023Jul 24National Tequila Day
SaturdaySatJul 29, 2023Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
TuesdayTueAug 01, 2023Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 06, 2023Aug 06National Sister Day
MondayMonSep 18, 2023Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
TuesdayTueOct 03, 2023Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Vodka Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Taco Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 21, 2023Oct 21Sweetest Day
SundaySunOct 29, 2023Oct 29National Cat Day
TuesdayTueOct 31, 2023Oct 31Halloween
FridayFriNov 03, 2023Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 24, 2023Nov 24Black Friday
MondayMonNov 27, 2023Nov 27Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 02, 2023Dec 02Candle Day
SaturdaySatDec 09, 2023Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 15, 2023Dec 15National Ugly Sweater day