Purim

Purim History

Purim (Hebrew: פּוּרִים) commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from the threat of extermination in the ancient Persian Empire as recorded in the Book of Esther. The observance is marked with customs such as reading the Megillah (Book of Esther), sending food gifts to friends (mishloach manot), giving to the poor (matanot l'evyonim), and holding a festive feast (seudah). The holiday is also characterized by buoyant festivity; it encourages dressing up in costumes and the use of masks, which differentiates it from other Jewish holidays.

In relation to South Africa's historical context, which is marred with the struggle against apartheid, Purim's account of liberation from oppression resonates deeply. The narrative of Queen Esther, who braved coming out to the Persian king about her Jewish identity and pleading for her people's safety, sends a powerful message about the courage it takes to contest injustice. South African Jews, many of whose forebears escaped harsh conditions in Lithuania and other parts of Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, can certainly relate to the story of survival and freedom that Purim celebrates.

In South Africa, families and synagogues come together for joyful Purim festivities, mirroring the global Jewish practice. Apart from the traditional rituals such as hearing the Megillah read, sending food parcels, and indulging in festive meals, carnivals and costume parties are also commonplace. Most of these activities take place at sundown, following the Jewish lunar calendar, making it different from the Gregorian calendar typically used in South Africa. Purim generally falls in the month of March or early April, but specific dates can vary year to year. Date shown reflects the main observance day. This observance begins at sundown on the day before.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 Purim in South Africa

• Local celebrations in South Africa frequently transform traditional synagogues into festive hubs, with major communal events such as Purim Fest and Wild about Purim carnivals often hosted by the King David schools in Johannesburg.
• The triangular-shaped pastry known as hamantaschen is a central culinary feature, and recent South African trends have seen creative local variations like the milk and cereal variety, which uses colorful, sugary cereals to modernize the traditional poppy seed or jam fillings.
• In the weeks leading up to the holiday, South African costume shops like Kiddie Majigs and Razzmatazz experience a significant surge in demand for outfits inspired by popular creative works, including Moana 2, Harry Potter, and various Disney Princess themes.
• A core religious obligation involves the public reading of the Megillah, also known as the Book of Esther, where congregants use noisemakers called groggers to drown out the name of the villain, Haman, whenever it is mentioned.
• The observance emphasizes social responsibility through matanot l'evyonim, a practice where individuals are required to give charity to at least two people in need to ensure the entire community can participate in the festivities.
• Many South African families participate in the tradition of mishloach manot, which involves preparing and delivering gift baskets containing at least two different types of ready-to-eat foods to friends and neighbors.
• The Chief Rabbi of South Africa has highlighted that the holiday's deeper meaning centers on finding faith in the "hidden presence" of the divine, a theme reflected in the custom of wearing masks and costumes to represent how reality is often concealed.
• Festive meals known as the se'udah are held on the afternoon of the holiday, often featuring lively music, dancing, and a "topsy-turvy" atmosphere where social norms are playfully relaxed in the spirit of a "Jewish Mardi Gras."

In the News and Trending in South Africa for Purim

Top things to do in South Africa for Purim

• Make a Mishloach Manot (also known as mishloach manos or shalach manos). This is a gift of at least two kinds of food that are ready to eat. Give them out to neighbors, friends and associates.
• Make Hamantaschen cookies. These are pocket triangle shaped cookies that are often made with fruit, poppy seed or cheese filling.
• Visit the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre (JHGC): While not exclusive to Purim, the JHGC often has themed events and exhibitions during Jewish holidays and this is an opportunity to further understand Jewish history.
• Read a book to learn more about Purim in South Africa:
  The Jewish Holidays: A Guide and Commentary - by Michael Strassfeld
  Jewish Holidays - by Michael Hilton