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Purim is the most festive of Jewish holidays, a time of prizes, noisemakers, costumes and treats. The Festival of Purim commemorates a major victory over oppression and is recounted in the Megillah, the scroll of the story of Esther. Purim is observed in some places exclusively on the 14th of Adar and in others, exclusively on the 15th (Shushan Purim). The reason for the different dates designated for the observance of Purim is that the Jews of Shushan originally observed the festival on a different day than the Jews who lived elsewhere. Whereas Jews in Shushan waged war on both the 13th and the 14th of the month, and observed the 15th as a day of festivity and rejoicing, in all other provinces the Jews waged war on the 13th and observed only the 14th as a day of festivity and rejoicing.
Purim and Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement and the holiday of Purim would seem to be the two most unlikely holidays to have anything in common. Yom Kippur is a day of sanctity and solemnity. Purim is a day of unrestrained revelry and irreverence. Yet, both holidays represent times of fateful decision making: Yom Kippur, where an individual’s fate is decided, and Purim, where the fate of an entire nation was decided. They even share the same root: Pur, the Hebrew word for lots.
PURIM KATAN - On a leap year when, according to the Hebrew calendar there are two months of Adar, I and II, Purim is observed for two days in Adar II, which is followed by Nissan. However, the 14th and 15th of Adar A on a leap year are traditionally called "Little Purim". On these days also one is supposed to celebrate, is forbidden to mourn or fast and omits certain prayers.
TRIPLE PURIM - Sometimes Purim falls on a Friday, therefore making the next day, Shabbat, Shushan Purim. However, it is forbidden to read the Megilla on Shabbat, and of course, Shabbat cannot be postponed because of Purim.
So, in Jerusalem Purim is pushed off a day and the reading of the Megilla and the main festivities are held on Sunday (the 16th of Adar). However, both that Friday and that Sabbath take on a festive atmosphere. In this way the holiday is felt and marked in Jerusalem for three days and therefore Purim in such a year is called there "Triple Purim" -- the Purim lasting three days.
Special Purim - Purim is not the only time Jews were saved from imminent destruction. Since then, unfortunately, Jews all over the world have experienced small
Purim. In Hebrew this is called Purim Katan
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