The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/purim/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:03:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Purim | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/purim/ 32 32 Daily Briefing Mar. 5: Deadly Iranian strike changes Purim for Haredi enclave in Beit Shemesh https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-mar-5-deadly-iranian-strike-changes-purim-for-haredi-enclave-in-beit-shemesh/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:39:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3769545&preview=true&preview_id=3769545 Political correspondent Sam Sokol and reporter Charlie Summers discuss the fatal Iranian attack and its effect on holiday celebrations

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]]> Flouting wartime restrictions, revelers party in Jerusalem streets for Purim’s final hours https://www.timesofisrael.com/flouting-wartime-restrictions-revelers-party-in-jerusalem-streets-for-purims-final-hours/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 01:36:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3769187 Giant street party lasts into night as cops repeatedly fail to disperse drunken crowd for defying IDF ban on public gatherings; 'Whoever is destined to die will die,' says partygoer

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]]> Jerusalem marks a wartime Purim a day later than most, a tradition born in what is now Iran https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-marks-a-wartime-purim-a-day-later-than-most-a-tradition-born-in-what-is-now-iran/ Wed, 04 Mar 2026 17:52:32 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3768928 With special status as a walled city during the time of the megilah story, the Israeli capital celebrates Shushan Purim with costumes, feasting and periodic runs to the bomb shelter

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]]> After deadly missile impact, Beit Shemesh struggles to maintain Purim cheer https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-deadly-missile-impact-beit-shemesh-struggles-to-maintain-purim-cheer/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:34:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3767422 As city reels from strike, most synagogues stay open for Purim against army's guidelines, but streets largely empty; Sunday's tragedy 'lowered the volume,' says rabbi's wife

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]]> Her-storical documents: 2 Esther scrolls copied by female scribes celebrate Jewish resilience https://www.timesofisrael.com/her-storical-documents-2-esther-scrolls-copied-by-female-scribes-celebrate-jewish-resilience/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:22:54 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3767462 The only two known ancient megillahs written by women are part of a new exhibition at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, whose opening has been postponed due to the Iran war

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]]> At this Dallas synagogue, Purim comes with fog machines, zip lines and Broadway flair https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-this-dallas-synagogue-purim-comes-with-fog-machines-zip-lines-and-broadway-flair/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:20:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3767423 For the past 8 years, Rabbi Adam Roffman has brought his music theater chops to the annual performance at Congregation Shearith Israel - and doubled its attendance in this Bible Belt community

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]]> The Purim story ‘with a different cast’: Mid-war, festival readings and parties move to bomb shelters https://www.timesofisrael.com/dressed-down-purim-parties-move-to-bomb-shelters-under-threat-of-missiles/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:55:53 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3767327 As Book of Esther is read aloud in Tel Aviv parking garage, sheltering father says conflict with Persia's modern-day successor feels like the modern iteration of the 2,500-year-old saga

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]]> In Jerusalem’s Katamon neighborhood, levelheadedness and levity prevail as rockets fly https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-jerusalems-katamon-neighborhood-levelheadedness-and-levity-prevail-as-rockets-fly/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:10:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3766594 Amid Purim preparations, residents express optimism over ongoing war with Iran as they enjoy the pleasant weather between scattered showers of missiles

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]]> From Zoom megillahs to sirens during reading, all you need to know about Purim at war https://www.timesofisrael.com/from-zoom-megillahs-to-sirens-during-reading-all-you-need-to-know-about-purim-at-war/ Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:44:47 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3766615 In light of the emergency situation, Israel's Home Front Command has banned public gatherings, including recitations of the Book of Esther. Leading rabbis weigh in on how to celebrate

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]]> What is the biblical holiday of Purim, and why do Israelis link it to Khamenei’s death? https://www.timesofisrael.com/what-is-the-biblical-holiday-of-purim-and-why-do-israelis-link-it-to-khameneis-death/ Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:59:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3765774 Joint Israel-US strikes on the Iranian regime are taking place just as Jews are set to mark a festival commemorating another war against a Persian official who sought their destruction

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]]> Schools transition to distance learning amid ongoing missile fire from Iran https://www.timesofisrael.com/schools-transition-to-distance-learning-amid-ongoing-missile-fire-from-iran/ Sun, 01 Mar 2026 16:13:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3765428 Home Front Command restrictions likely to curtail celebrations of the Purim festival, set to begin Monday evening

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]]> IDF removes reservists from Gaza over video of them shooting during Purim scroll reading https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-removes-reservists-from-gaza-over-video-of-them-shooting-during-purim-scroll-reading/ Sat, 15 Mar 2025 17:08:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3503443 Soldiers filmed themselves firing upon mention of Purim villain Haman; army calls their behavior 'contrary to IDF values ​​and operational procedures'

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]]> Burning Haman: The lost Purim tradition of India’s ancient Cochin Jewish community https://www.timesofisrael.com/burning-haman-the-lost-purim-tradition-of-indias-ancient-cochin-jewish-community/ Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:27:44 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3501518 For centuries, Cochin Jews marked Purim by burning effigies of Haman, while the holiday represented the day when Jews from all backgrounds celebrated together

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]]> Iranian chief rabbi reads the Book of Esther at the Tomb of Mordechai and Esther https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-chief-rabbi-reads-the-book-of-esther-at-the-tomb-of-mordechai-and-esther/ Fri, 14 Mar 2025 11:21:20 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3502732 Yehuda Gerami dances with students, reads megillah scroll at site believed by local community to be in ancient city of Shushan

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]]> Thousands at Hostages Square for Purim gathering colored by hopes for captives’ salvation https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-gather-at-hostages-square-for-purim-revelry-colored-by-hopes-for-captives-salvation/ Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:02:27 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3502677 Families write to Trump, as their only hope after 'abandonment' by government; ex-hostage Omer Shem Tov tears down 'kidnapped' sign, jokes about his last appearance on stage - in Gaza

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