A true eclectic mix, here (mostly triggered by the fact that I’ve realized my roommate, who is an agnostic-raised christian, knows more about Judiasm than I, and I was raised Jewish).
Purim. I know the basic story, with Esther and Haman and, of course, the tasty pastries. Is any of that anywhere in the Torah, though? I know there’s a seperate scroll you’re supposed to read from on Purim, but is there any overlap between that and the Old Testament?
What’s the ‘correct’ way of celebrating purim? I, possibly along with every person who was ever raised Jewish, remember that you’re supposed to “drink until you can’t tell the men from the women.” And, I assume, go to synagogue (probably before the drinking). Is it one of those holidays in which the proper celebration is “Go to synagogue, then eat and drink to ridiculous excess”? Is it just tell the story in synagogue, no extra prayers or whatnot? (I’ve been to purim services once or twice, but they were kids services.)
Moving on to the next holiday: Passover. I’ve yet to find a straight answer: How many days are you supposed to hold the fast for? I was certain it’s seven, one of my Jewish friends insists it’s 8. I’ve heard something that it’s seven days in Israel and eight everywhere else, to which my reaction is: Huh? Is this true, and if so, why?
Final question, purely out of curiosity. You’re not supposed to eat any bread-type things during passover. According to, say, modern reform (maybe conservative, too) Judaism, what about people for whom that’s a huge inconvienance? I know that if it’s a medical problem, you’re not supposed to hold the fast. But what if, say, someone’s a college student, or in the military? Obviously, you’re going to have to eat someplace that hasn’t been cleared of bread (forget the hebrew word), if you’re eating in a dining hall. If you do the best you can, even if it’s not ‘perfect’, are you sinning? (I know, Judaism isn’t big on the “Sinner!” thing, but that’s the only way I can think of phrasing it.
Okay, one more, since I may have a Jewish audience here who actually knows something. I’ve become confused as to whether or not I’m technically Jewish. My father is from a Jewish family, was raised non-observant, but definitely a jew (reform). My mother was raised Catholic, strayed away from it, found Quakerism for a bit, then found Judiasm about the time she found my father. They were married by a rabbi, though my mother never has officially converted. They raised my sister and I jewish, and AFAIK, we were ‘accepted’ by our synagogue (reform) as Jewish. But I was under the belief that it was strictly a maternal thing: if mom’s jewish, you are. So…are my parents right when they insist that I’m Jewish? (this is, of course, ignoring my actual beliefs).
I know a lot of others will come in with better answers on these than I could give, but your question:
reminds me of a story my grandfather used to tell. He was a surgeon in WWII, and often the only jew in the area. His bedside manner made him something of an ‘impromptu rabi’ for jewish soldiers who ended up under his care. One of them once asked him, “Sometimes all we have to eat is ham. Is it wrong for me to eat it?”
My grandfather told him, “It’s no problem to eat it. Just don’t smack your lips and go back for seconds.”
Wow, maybe I can beat the official Jews (i.e. Chaim and Zev) to this answer:
The story of Purim occurs after what’s in the Torah (“Old Testament” is a Christian term), so there’s no overlap. Purim, like Chanukkah, is a minor holiday and there are no laws covering it.
Since Purim came after the Torah, and there are no laws governing it (maybe something in the Talmud?), basically going to synagogue and read the Megillah. The drinking thing is a tradition and IIRC, you’re supposed to not be able to tell the difference between “Mordechai” and “Haman”.
Passover is not a fast, in that you are never restricted from eating; it’s just that you can’t eat certain things (bread is the most recognized, but also certain grains such as corn and rice; this varies depending on what sect of Judaism you belong to). Conservative and Orthodox generally celebrate for 8 days and reform for 7 or 8. Not sure about the Isreal thing.
Yes, you are violating Jewish law if it’s an “inconvenience” (you could always bring your lunch with you, right?); however, health always trumps Jewish law (that is, if it would be unhealthy for you to stick to a Pesadich (sp?) diet, or fast on Yom Kippur, it’s OK that you don’t do it).
Because your mother was not born Jewish and never converted, you are officially not Jewish in the eyes of Conservative or Othersdox Jews. Reform Jews generally accept either parent as Jewish.
What Christians call the Old Testament is referred to by Jews as the Tanakh, or one might say Jewish Bible. “Tanakh” is an acronym for Torah (the Law), Neviim (the Prophets), and Ketuvim (the Writings). The Book of Esther is part of the third section, the Writings. In Christian Bibles, this makes it one of the books of the “Old Testament”.
I’m a college student, and I was also in the military. My principal means of observing Passover is just not to eat leavened bread. During Passover week, I generally eat lots of foods that don’t involve bread at all, like salads and soups and such. If it’s that important to me, I bring some matzo with me. Maybe you could buy a box and keep it in your room or ask the dining hall if they could get a box for you as a religious accommodation?
The scroll that is read is the Book of Esther from the Bible.
Purim is a rather joyous holiday with many customs and rituals attached to it.
The basic observances of the holiday are:
Reading of the Megillah
The Book of Esther is read from a scroll both during the evening and again on the morning of Purim. The custom has developed that whenever Haman’s name is mentioned, the congregants make noise.
Sending Gifts of Food (Mishloach Manos)
Sort of a reverse Halloween custom - we deliver gifts of (ready to eat) foods to our friends and neighbors. Each gift must contain at least two different types of foods.
Gifts to the Poor
One is required to send monetary gifts to the poor on Purim.
The Purim feast
One is required to have a meal on Purim. At the meal, one should drink a bit more than one is used to. There is no requirement to get so drunk as to not be able to tell the difference between men and women (I have never been drunk in my life).
A carnival atmosphere has developed around the holiday as well - making it by far the most joyous holiday in the Jewish year. Children (and some adults) wear costumes as well.
I’m assuming you mean “feast” and not “fast.”
The holiday is seven days long in Israel and eight in the Diaspora. The reason is as follows:
In ancient times, the Hebrew calendar was set based on the sighting of the moon. A new month would begin when witnesses would go to the court in Jerusalem and testify that they saw the new moon. Once the court accepted their testimony, the new month would begin. Since the moon goes around the earth every 29 1/2 days (approximately), that means that the new month can start on one of either two days (the 30th or the 31st day after the last new moon). The court would send messengers out to the countryside to advise people which day the new month started on so that they will know what day to celebrate the holidays on.
Passover falls out on the 15th day of Nissan. Therefore, if a person lived more than 15 days travel outside of Jerusalem, he wouldn’t know which day to celebrate Passover on, since the messengers couldn’t get to him in time. As a result, the custom arose outside of Israel to add an extra day to make sure that one does not desecrate the holiday.
Although we now have a set calendar and there is no more confusion about the dates, the custom of adding an extra day in the Diaspora has remained.
Eating chametz (leaven) on Passover is a serious sin. I would be surprised if the U.S. military didn’t make accomodations to get Kosher for Passover food.
Of course, if one’s life is in danger, then the rules of not eating chametz on Passover (just like most of the laws of Judaism) are set aside.
If your mother was not Jewish, then you’re not. Being accpeted by the synagogue doesn’t make a difference.
For completeness, Purim has a special Torah reading – the battle against Amalek, which is the last nine verses of the portion Beshallach. This is in either Ex. 16 or Ex. 17. Also, on Purim a special prayer (Al Hanissim, “For the miracles”) is included in the daily prayers.
All of the questions have been (factually) addressed, but I’d just like to add a personal note re: q #5 (are you Jewish)?
As stated, Orthodox and Conservatives won’t consider you Jewish (unless you undergo an official conversion of course.) Reforms may, possibly depending on your upbringing.
My personal point? I don’t honestly care what the rabbis say – if you feel Jewish, feel a part of the jewish people, it’s good enough for me. There’s the difference between religious Judaism and cultural Judaism; if what you care about is the cultural (the “belonging”), then you belong. Anyone who wants to be Jewish has got to be crazy enough to qualify as one
