Purim
This holiday is known playfully as the "Jewish Halloween" although has completely different meanings. The Jewish Halloween reference comes because kids and adults both get dressed up in costumes for this holiday.
Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Adar, which is usually in March. The primary commandment for Purim is to listen to the reading of the book of Esther. The book of Esther is commonly known as the "Megillah" which means scroll. It is customary to boo, hiss, stamp feet and rattle gragers (noise makers) whenever the name of Haman is mentioned during the service. The purpose of this custom is to blot out the name of Haman.We are also commanded to eat, drink and be merry. A person is required to drink until he cannot tell the difference between cursed be Haman and blessed be Mordecai - though opinions differ from person to person how drunk that is. (A person certainly should not become so drunk that he might violate other commandments or get seriously ill). Recovering alcoholics or others who might suffer serious harm from alcohol are of course exempt from this obligation).
In addition, we are commanded to send out gifts of food or drink, and to make gifts to charity. It is also customary to hold carnival like celebrations on Purim, to perform theater, plays and parodies, etc.
To give you a list of things you could stamp:
- Scrolls
- Esther (pretty women)
- Hamentashen (triangular cookies)
- clowns and circus
- graggers or noise makers
- Masks (similar to mardi gras masks)
- Some halloween stamps may be appropriate, but I think avoiding gouls, ghosts, monsters, etc may be a good idea.
Some common sentiments
- Happy Purim
Some stamp sets and companies to get you started!
- Ruth's Jewish stamps also carries a large selection
- Hevea Art Stamps
- Zum Gali Gali
Some ideas for cards from other crafters:
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1 comment:
Does Esther literally mean Pretty Woman? Just curious...
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