About Purim
Purim commemorates the events recounted in the Book of Esther: the foiled plot of Haman, vizier to King Ahasuerus of Persia, to destroy the Jews of his empire — and the courage of Queen Esther, who revealed her own Jewish identity at the right moment to save her people. The name comes from pur, 'lot', the dice Haman cast to choose the date of the planned massacre. The story's reversal of fortune is celebrated with deliberate excess.
For a deeper historical treatment, see Purim — Wikipedia.
The Megillah (the scroll of Esther) is read in synagogue twice — once on the eve and once in the morning — with congregants drowning out Haman's name with rattles (graggers) at every mention. The day's four obligations are the reading itself, mishloach manot (gifts of food sent to friends), matanot la'evyonim (gifts to the poor), and a festive meal. Children dress in costume; adults are commanded to drink until they cannot tell the difference between 'cursed Haman' and 'blessed Mordechai'.
Traditional greetings
The phrases below are the ones most often used to mark Purim in person, by phone, and on cards. The native-script column shows the greeting as a recipient would read it; the transliteration is for those who would like to say it aloud; the English column is a literal rather than a poetic translation.
| Language | Greeting | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hebrew | חג פורים שמח | Chag Purim Sameach | Happy Purim holiday |
| Hebrew | פורים שמח | Purim Sameach | Happy Purim |
| Yiddish | אַ פֿריילעכן פּורים | A freilichen Purim | A joyful Purim |
Design tips for printable Purim cards
Hand-printed cards for Purim reward restraint and specific reference. The notes below distil what the most thoughtful cards in the tradition tend to do — and what the most commercial ones tend to get wrong.
- Hamantaschen — the triangular three-cornered cookie filled with poppy seed, prune or apricot — make a beautiful repeating pattern.
- A single illustrated mask references the costume tradition without literalism.
- Use bright, slightly Persian-inflected colours: jewel green, deep magenta, royal blue, gold.
- A folded inner pocket for mishloach manot delivery is a delightful, traditional touch.
- Inside, lean into the festival's playfulness — Purim cards are allowed to be funny.
A starting palette:
Five verses for Purim cards
Each verse below is short enough to copy onto a folded card by hand. They progress from formal to intimate; pick the one that best fits the relationship and the year you are writing into.
- Chag Purim Sameach. May the year be reversed in your favour, and may every Haman in it be out-Esther'd.
- Hamantaschen on the table, mishloach manot at the door, graggers in the children's hands — a full and joyful Purim.
- May this Purim be loud, generous, slightly tipsy, and long-remembered.
- From Shushan to your kitchen, the same brave queen, the same defeated villain, the same warm cookie in the same warm hand. Purim Sameach.
- May the lots be cast in your favour this year — and may every gift you send out come back doubled.
In the CardVerse directory
The full directory entry for Purim — including its calendar dates, source attribution, and any additional verses — is on the occasion page.
Related cultural holidays
Other holidays observed in the Jewish Diaspora family of traditions: