• Hag Purim katan sameach!

    This year we celebrate not one, but ... two Purims! Why?

    In a leap year according to the Jewish calendar (seven of these in each 19-year cycle) there are two months of Adar. Great Purim is celebrated in the second Adar, and in the first Purim katan or Lesser Purim is celebrated. In 2024, Purim Katan begins today, February 22, and ends tomorrow, Friday, February 23.

    Small Purim is a kind of preparation for the main holiday, which will take place in March. But according to the traditions of the celebration, it has certain differences. Yes, on the day of Purim katan, the scroll of Esther, the Tahanun prayers are not read, and shelahmunes are not worn. On this day, it is customary to arrange a festive party. Of course, not as rich as in Great Purim, but still not everyday, and it is also important to rejoice and have fun in every way. Purim-Katan is celebrated not in all Jewish communities, and the customs of the holiday differ.

    By the way, the same name — Purim Katan — also has separate holidays, which are celebrated in honor of a wonderful liberation from enemies or persecution of a city or community. Thus, in Dr. Yom-Tov Lewinsky's book "Sefer ha-Moadim" there is a list of ninety "special Purims", which were celebrated as days of joy, merriment and thanksgiving prayers. An example of such a "special Purim" is Winz Purim, which was celebrated by the Jewish community of Frankfurt am Main to commemorate an event that took place in the early 17th century. The baker Vinz Fettmilch organized a pogrom against the Jews, who were miraculously saved from complete destruction. Vinz and his accomplices were executed, and the Jews of Frankfurt began to celebrate their liberation from their local Haman.

    From the interesting facts about Purim Katan, it is known that on January 30, 1944, Hitler said "If Nazism is defeated, it will give the Jews a reason to celebrate another, additional Purim." Well, this year we wish all the multinational people of Ukraine to defeat the invaders and get an opportunity to celebrate an additional Purim! Hag Purim katan sameach!

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