Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

How are these customs from other lands similar or different from the way you celebrate Purim with your family, school or congregation?

Germany

On Purim eve, torches containing gunpowder would be ignited and exploded during the Megillah reading with a deafening noise. In one town in Germany, on the eve of Purim, two candles would be lit in the synagogue. One was called "Haman" and the other "Zeresh" (Haman's wife). The candles were allowed to burn down completely, and were not extinguished. Thus should the haters of Israel be burnt. Doll-shaped cakes, called "Haman," were also prepared. The children would cut off the doll's head and eat it with great glee.

Salonika

"Haman-shaped" cakes were baked on the eve of "Shabbat Zakhor" and placed on the window ledges until the festive Purim meal. During the meal, the cakes were sliced so that participants could fulfill the precept "And they shall devour Haman with open mouth."

Persia

The children prepared a large effigy of Haman, and filled its clothes with gunpowder. In the middle of the courtyard, they set up a large stick, from which they "hung" Haman. They then threw oil over the effigy and set it alight.

Afghanistan

The children drew pictures of Haman on planks or cardboard. During the Megillah reading, the planks were thrown to the ground and trampled on, making a lot of noise. Wooden gloves (a kind of wooden sandals) were held in the hands and clapped together, also making a loud noise. The synagogue carpets were taken up and the congregants trampled underneath them, in case Haman was hiding there.

For more customs from other countries, visit the pages of The Jewish Agency for Israel, Department of Jewish Zionist Education.

Customs around the world were compiled from: "Purim," a manual edited by the Center for Fostering Jewish Awareness; "Purim," teaching material edited by Y. Frishman; "Hag ve-Moed", Rivka Tzadik; "Festivals and Holidays in Education," Dr. Yehuda Bergman.