S2 EP6 | Purim - Beyond the Partying

A Jew and a Gentile Discuss

“I’ll take Purim for 800, Alex.” There’s meaning to every holiday, but sometimes it gets lost behind its symbols and traditions. Listen to this episode of A Jew and A Gentile Discuss, and you might even ace a Purim category on Jeopardy. From ooos and boos, noisemakers and baked goods, to the threat of destruction and profound deliverance, Purim has it all.

Join Carly and Ezra as they discuss the story, meaning and traditions of Purim – one of the most festive Jewish holidays on the calendar. You’ll hear:

• The Purim story, its main characters and the meaning beyond the partying
• What graggers are and their part in Purim celebrations
• What the Purim plays are all about
• How young the brave and noble Queen Esther may have been
• Why Purim is both fasting and feasting
• All about hamantaschen

Along the Way The conversation leads to all kinds of fun facts and meaningful insights, including:

• How rabbinical tradition gauges “celebrating well”

• The most common Purim tradition

• The saying that evolved into “the whole enchilada”

• Why retelling stories is a part of so many Jewish holidays

• A traditional, ancient Jewish curse (not that we endorse it) and what it has to do with Purim celebrations

• The historical pattern of “intended annihilation” followed by great deliverance of the Jewish people

• What “ears” have to do with Purim’s most famous baked treat

• The super-surprising number of times God is mentioned in the book of Esther

• God’s miraculous fingerprints all over the Purim story

Words You Might Learn in This Episode

Gragger, Megillah, Megillat Esther, pur, Purim, Hadassah, chag, Chag Purim, tsum, Tsum Esther, hamantaschen, oznei Haman, mohntaschen

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode

Esther 3:7, Esther 7:1–6, Esther 4:14, Esther 4:15–16, Jeremiah 25:11–12, Daniel 12:11, Luke 22:49–51

Previous Episodes Mentioned

Episode 26 – Why Purim is Such a Party

Watch the Hamantaschen Taste Test Video on YouTube

Ezra and Carly will be trying a popular Purim dessert blindfolded and on video so you can get their great reactions! Let’s see who can guess the flavor of the treats. Carly’s 0 for 2 in their holiday food taste tests. Can she beat Ezra this time?

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