Did you know that there's this great Jewish Holiday called Purim where people get really excited and dress up and run around town in costumes drinking?!
I have never experienced a Purim like this year in Jerusalem. (sorry Rabbi Herring- your Purim carnival was great, but Jerusalem is way better).
First let me start with the month of Adar. In the Jewish calendar, Adar is the happiest month- we are actually commmanded to be happy this month. We start singing fun songs even before Adar starts in preparation- I led services the Shabbat before Adar, and you better believe we sang some Adar/Purim songs!
Beginning in Adar, the general attitude in Jerusalem gets a major facelift. "happy purim" signs show up in storefronts, the delicious smells of hamantaschen come from the bakeries, and people slowly start wearing costumes in the streets.
There is so much to say about the wonderful-ness that is Purim in Jerusalem, but here are my highlights!
1. peeking into an Ultra Orthodox school in the most Haredi neighborhood in Jerusalem, Meah Shearim, to see an Adar dance party
2. butterscotch filled oznei haman (hamantaschen) for a shekel a piece
3. hearing "chag sameach" on the streets- that one never gets old
4. walking around Jerusalem dressed up as Eipho Ephi (where's waldo)
5. that there are more than a dozen people that even know what Purim is
and here's a picture for your enjoyment. It's me and my friend Todd dressed as a character from Arrested Development
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