The Member of Parliament for the Chipping Barnet constituency, Theresa Villiers MP has issued the following Purim message:
“At this special time of year, I would like to wish Chag Purim Sameach to the Jewish community in Barnet and around the world. I hope that people are able to celebrated with their friends and loved ones during this joyful time of year.
Purim reminds us of the inspirational message of hope and courage contained in the biblical story of Esther. Through her brave actions, Queen Esther saved the Jewish people from extermination at the hands of Haman.
The Purim story shows us how individual acts of kindness and compassion can have a positive effect on the wider community. Happy Purim!”
The festival of Purim is seen as one of the happiest and most colourful days of the Jewish calendar as members of the community come together to celebrate salvation from near destruction in ancient Persia 2,300 years ago. Haman, the chief adviser to the Persian King, had planned violent attacks on Jewish people, with the date for the killings to be determined by the casting of lots. Thanks to Queen Esther's intervention, this was prevented.
Purim is normally marked by dressing in costumes and fancy dress, parties and carnivals, public readings of from the Book of Esther, the eating of special triangular shaped pastries called Hamantaschen and community fundraising of donations.
