Purim פורים

Purim is named for the pur, the lot Haman cast to choose a month for destroying the Jews; it fell on Adar. The decree was undone not by cancellation but by a second decree permitting Jews to defend themselves, which they did on 13 Adar 3405, celebrating on the fourteenth.

The sages call the miracle "hidden": the Megillah contains no open miracle and no name of God, only a chain of coincidences that adds up to rescue. Hence the day's blurred edges—drinking until one no longer distinguishes "cursed be Haman" from "blessed be Mordechai".

Four obligations: hearing the Megillah twice; mishloach manot, sending two prepared foods to another; matanot la'evyonim, gifts to at least two poor people; and a festive meal. Midrash adds that in those days the nation accepted the Torah afresh—willingly this time.