I Like Purim a Lot
28 February 2010
Today is Purim, the Jewish holiday celebrating the events of the Book of Esther. There are four mitzvot associated with Purim:
- Hear the reading of the Megillah — The Book of Esther.
- Give Charity
- Give gifts of food
- Eat, Drink and be Merry (I like this one :)
This is the second year that we’ve attended a Megillah reading at a Chabad while traveling. The first was two years ago, in Las Vegas.
We are in Mesa, Arizona, and we attended at the Chabad of Mesa, located in the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Blotner. The Rabbi and his wife were quite busy, so I didn’t get to talk to him much. I think they got about 50 people that evening. Rabbi Blotner was in costume, a Chinese Food takeout container. A photo of him without the Megilla is in the album shown below. The large photo here is of the Rabbi holding the Megilla open to be seen. It’s a parchment scroll, made similarly to the Torah Scroll. There are five megillot. Esther is one, Ruth is another. Also, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs. Each is read on a particular Jewish holy day.
We got started at about 8. The event was called for 7:30, so it started on-time, as measured by Chabad time :) Seriously though, the Rabbi chose to wait for several folks to show up who had been instrumental in putting the event on. Not only was there a Megillah Reading, but also a Chinese dinner and music. The problem is that Chabad can’t go down to the Golden Wok down the road and get their Chinese food. This dinner was strictly kosher, and was prepared by volunteers. The food was fabulous. There was also a band, on guitar, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, recorder and drums. Jewish melodies were played, food was served, the kids played basketball. There was also a juggler.
The whole event was marvelous. I was made most welcome, had a fine time, and would love to get to know Rabbi and Mrs. Blotner better.
One Response to “I Like Purim a Lot”
February 28th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Dear Dr. Bloggett,
It seemed really great. I’d have risen from the dead, not only my bed of pain, to have been there.
Chazak, chazak!
M