In response to "Happy Purim", how does the celebration of Purim differ when it occurs on a Saturday from a regular Purim, and why the difference?

kaylofgorons

Um...I haven't found anything, but I would like to know. I only know what's written in the book of Esther. Would the Sabbath have anything to do with the difference? Apr 14 05, 1:34 PM

Arpeggionist

It most certainly does. Think of it this way: There are four customs which are practiced on Purim - a feast, the reading of the megillah (the scroll of Esther), the sending of food as gifts (mishloach manot) and giving alms to the poor. The main differences lie in the way the customs are practiced over the weekend. I'm glad somebody took the time to respond to the question, I've long since passed the point where I was beginning to worry about it. Apr 14 05, 1:47 PM

kaylofgorons

I never forgot about it, but was just hoping someone who actually knew could answer. Not much travel on the Sabbath, and a feast would probably be prepared the day before so that no work would be done. Lol, I've noticed a cute coincidence in the KJV punctuation. Esther 9:1 near the end "(though it ws turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)" ;) Lol. Yay! Happy Purim! Apr 14 05, 3:02 PM

Arpeggionist

IT's a slight mistranslation - a better one would be: "...and it was reversed - that the Jews (alt. 'the Judeans') would control those that hated them." The answer to the question now: The reading of Esther is done on Thursday night and Friday, to remind the people that it is in fact Purim weekend. In Jerusalem and Tiberias (where the 15th of Adar would be celebrated rather than the 14th), the feast could not be on Friday, since that is the 14th of Adar. The feast can't take place on the Sabbath because it generally consists of offreings which people give one another. So those two customs are pushed off to Sunday. On Friday the alms giving is done, since it is improper to handle money on the Sabbath. Since on that Saturday in Jerusalem there would be no other sign that it should be Purim that day, on that Sabbath there are certain additions to the liturgy just to recognize the holiday. Apr 14 05, 3:14 PM

kaylofgorons

Even more ;) to it that way. Thanks for the answer. Apr 14 05, 3:34 PM