Some Jewish people honor Queen Esther's fasting and prayer period with a fast of their own during Purim. This year, those honoring the Purim fast (also called the Fast of Esther) will fast on ...

The Jewish carnival holiday of Purim, marking the story of the Book of Esther, carries special resonance this year. A look at the celebration in wartime Israel.

Purim is widely depicted as the most joyful of Jewish holidays — highlighted by celebrations that include costumes, skits and noisemakers. For many Jews, it will have extra significance this ...

For some, the story of Purim has come to embody the potential of the Jewish canon to uplift and embrace LGBT identities — and many communities are celebrating it as such.

Jewish ultra-Orthodox men and children, some wearing costumes, celebrate the festival of Purim at a synagogue in Bnei Brak, Israel, March 17, 2022.

A young Jewish girl called Esti dressed as a bunch of grapes in Stamford Hill during Purim, on February 26, 2021, in London, England. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images This year, Purim is March 6 and 7.

No small wonder that Jewish tradition and Purim celebrations ignore the wanton brutality perpetrated by Jews against the Persians at the end of this story.

It was Rabbi Marc Israel’s first Purim with the congregation, and the 250-member family synagogue was trying to attract new members. But people were already nervous.

The story of Purim, in short, is about a young Jewish girl named Esther who is chosen by a king to be his new queen. Esther hides her Jewish identity from the king and becomes queen. Meanwhile, a ...