Do you like Halloween? Do you like Jews? Well, then you’ll love Purim.

In this conversation, we explore the significance of Purim through its historical narrative in the Book of Esther, the key characters, and the holiday’s customs.

ChayaLeah and the Rabbi reflect on their personal experiences with the holiday (probably involving drinking too much) and the evolution of Purim traditions over the years. We discuss why we drink so much on the holiday (only if you’re over 21, of course), the significance of costumes and masks, the ever-present groggers, and its modern equivalents. The dialogue delves into the narratives of stories heroes, namely Esther and Mordechai, and we highlight how Ester’s story closely follows that of The Hero’s Journey. We reflect on the balance between celebrating victories, acknowledging past tragedies, and emphasizing the Jewish community’s collective responsibility to each other.

Happy Purim, everybody!