Israel was in bondage to sin and death under the Law of Moses and it was the Messiah’s job to deliver Israel from this psychological death. He was the sacrificial lamb that brought an end to sin. The Feast of Purim represents the principle of Yahweh delivering Israel. The Feast of Purim was not one of the seven feasts that Yahweh instituted at Mt. Sinai after Israel came out of Egypt. The Jews initiated the Feast of Purim after Yahweh miraculously delivered them from an extermination plot. Israel celebrated the Feast of Purim on the 14th and 15th of the month Adar (March).
The Feast of Purim was one of joy. Friends and relatives gave alms and presents. On this feast day an Israelite could work. Mose Israelites read the book of Ester, offered prayers, recited the curse of Haman, and proclaimed the blessings of Esther and Mordecia to the congregation.
It was the Messiah’s resurrection and outpouring of the Holy Spirit that regenerated the human soul. Israel rejoiced at being released from Haman’s death decree. Likewise, all of mankind rejoiced that the Messiah redeemed us from the curse of spiritual death that we were under as a result of Adam’s and Eve’s transgression. In principle, they can see that anytime they are delivered from an adversity in life, which has them in bondage, this is truly the Feast of Purim for each of them. Just like other Jewish festivals, food and observance are closely intertwined in the celebration of Purim. Customary Purim culinary traditions include foods containing seeds, such as sesame seed cookies, and nuts, such as ma'amoul, a cookie usually eaten in Middle Eastern countries like Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.
The Purim meal is eaten on Purim afternoon. Bread is broken, and the Grace after Meals contains a special paragraph, Al HaNissim, commemorating Purim. Many traditional foods are enjoyed at the feast, including turkey, kreplach, and the ubiquitous hamantashen.
To conclude, Feast of Purim is the epitome of integrating the physical and the spiritual towards realizing that the Almighty loves his children.
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