Purim- a holiday that retells the story of Mordechia, Ester, King Achashverous, Vashti, and (get ready to make noise), Haman! I hope everyone's quickly remembering the story, if not- look it up, it's a great story.
Basically, Purim is the Israeli version of Halloween- everyone dresses up, there's not "trick or treating", but there is another thing. On Purim, it is considered a Mitzvah to get so drunk that you cannot tell the difference between the evil guy in the story, and the good guy. Purim was on monday night in the whole state of Israel. So, I went back to Holon to stay with my old roommate. That night we all went out dressed up in our costumes. Everyone on the streets were taking shots saying "TO COMMITTING A MITZVAH!", it was truly another experience. The following morning I woke up and headed to downtown Holon. Ironically, the biggest Purim Parade in the whole state of Israel is in Holon. I have to admit it made me a little homesick seeing all of the little kids in their adorable costumes holding mom or dad's hands. Seeing the older kids with their friends just out to have a good time. It's amazing to see the families and kids here, and how around the world, we're not all that different from one another. The parade was great and around 5 p.m. we headed back to Jerusalem. Here's the thing- i said that Purim was on monday for the whole state of Israel, the whole state except for Jerusalem. So, I got to celebrate it twice.
Tuesday night I went to downtown Jerusalem for some celebration. We were on Ben Yehuda street (the party street in Jerusalem), everyone dressed up in costumes. At one point I was with all of my British friends singing Beatles songs at the top of our lungs, with tons of Israelis and people from other countries joining in. There were fire crackers going off everyone 5 minutes. Drunk people making a mess- it was quite the experience. I guess you would say Purim is almost like New Orleans' Mardi Gras. The following morning I went back to downtown Jerusalem to enjoy my day of classes. Again, I saw all of the kids in their costumes, different performers and celebrations, everyone you passed would say with a smile "Chag Samache" (happy holiday). Purim was definitely the most festive holiday I've experienced here in Israel so far- and I've been here for a lot of holidays. The holiday culminated for me when I got on the bus to go back to the Hostel around 5 (around the when holiday ends). As I walked on the bus, I got to the center of it, and there I saw a boy- couldn't have been older than 13- religious on the floor of the bus throwing up in the trash-can. Mazel Tov? I guess he committed a mitzvah!
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