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Purim is a Jewish holiday that celebrates a failed attempt by an ancient advisor to a Persian king to wipe out the Jewish population over 2,000 years ago. The story is recorded in the Old Testament Biblical Book of Esther. Queen Esther saved the Jewish people from a bloody massacre by Haman, the king’s advisor.
Purim begins at sundown on Monday, March 6, 2023, and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
Purim is known as being a day of joy and celebration. It is often called the Jewish Mardi Gras because of the carnival like celebration. Purim is filled with parties, parades, costumes, food, alcohol and plenty of merrymaking.
The Jewish holiday of Purim is more of a national holiday in Israel than a religious holiday.
There are 4 main parts to the Purim celebrations:
- Hear the Megillah (Book of Esther)
- Give to the poor
- Send food gifts to friends
- Feast!
Israelis go to the synagogue to hear the entire Book of Esther on Purim night and then again on Purim day. They also say special prayers.
People can give either money or food to at least two needy people during the daylight hours of Purim. The food and drink parcels given to friends are called Mishloach manots. You cannot spend more on the food parcels than you give to charity.
People also gather with family and friends and celebrate with a large feast called Seudat Purim.
The primary tradition of Purim is rejoicing. Almost everyone dresses up for Purim, wearing costumes and/or masks. Children wear costumes to school and adults wear costumes to work.
During Purim, there are lots of costume contests and reenactments of the story of Esther. There are many public celebrations throughout Israel. In Tel Aviv, there is a free street party attended by thousands of people, all dressed in costumes.
If you are in Tel Aviv for Purim, you must wear a costume because the Israelis go all out for this holiday. You can find some great costumes for Purim by clicking here and here.
Also, if you’re going to be in Tel Aviv for Purim, you should consider the following hotels. They are all offering discounted rates which can save you money on your stay.
- Gordon By The Beach 30% Discount
- The Drisco Hotel – The Leading Hotels of The World 25% Discount
- The Savoy Tel-Aviv, Sea Side 20% Discount
- BY14 TLV 20% Discount
- Maxim Hotel Tel Aviv 17% Discount
- Sea Tower by Isrotel Design 15% Discount
- Alberto by Isrotel Design 15% Discount
- The Vista at Hilton Tel Aviv 15% Discount
- Hilton Tel Aviv 15% Discount
- Prima City Hotel 15% Discount
- Brown Seaside by Brown Hotels 12% Discount
- Poli House by Brown Hotels 12% Discount
- Dave Levinsky – Son of a Brown 12% Discount
- Brown TLV Urban Hotel 12% Discount
- Villa Brown Rothschild, a member of Brown Hotels 12% Discount
- Dabe Gordon – Son of a Brown 12% Discount
- Villa Brown Tel-Aviv 12% Discount
- 15 Ben Yehuda Studios 11% Discount
- Hotel Saul 10% Discount
- 65Hotel, Rothschild, Tel Aviv 10% Discount
- Ruby 10% Discount
- Joseph Hotel TLV 10% Discount
- Pixel – an Autonomous Hotel by Loginn 10% Discount