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Page Twenty PURIM CUSTOMS BY HARRY CUSHING (Copyright, 1956, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.) Traditionally, Jewish life has been sober and temperate. The Hebrew calendar abounds with many festive days, but history has given sobriety to the Jewish observances. The centuries of perse cution and the uncertainties of life in the ghettos of Europe put spiritual restraint upon the Jew. Even his happier holidays have been celebrated with rigid disciplines amid austere elements. But, there were times during the year when the Jew was gay and carefree. This was especially evident during the celebration of Purim. He may have been restrained all through the year, but on Purim he gave vent to his pent-up emo tions. Throughout the year the life of the Jew was serious and free from lighthearted moments, but on Purim he allowed himself a short period of escape, one day in the year when he felt free to permit himself the luxury of in dulging in the gayer side of life. Not unlike all other Jewish hol idays, Purim has given rise to various social customs. Foremost of these is found in the Book of Esther itself where is prescribed “the sending of portions one to another and gifts to the poor.” Here, too like the customs of many other holidays special foods became a prominent feature of the observance. The custom, de veloped in the course of centuries is to send delicacies, sweets and dainty foods to neighbors and friends and to make gifts to charity. Brotherhood Greetings VAUGHAN Radiator Shop REPAIRS OF RADIATORS AUTO BODIES and FENDERS ELECTRIC and ACETYLENE WELDING All Work Guaranteed COR. ALBANY and "G" ST. WAYCROSS, GEORGIA Brotherhood Greetings WILBUR JAMES SERVICE STATION GULF PRODUCTS SEIBEKUNG TIRES U. S. ROYAL TIRES AND BATTERIES OPEN 24 HOURS ROAD SERVICE “Anytime Anywhere" CALL 456 Recapping and Repairing A Specialty 101 HICKS STREET WILBUR JAMES, Owner WAYCROSS, GEORGIA BROTHERHOOD GREETINGS AUTO ELECTRIC and CARBURETOR CO. L. P. LANGFORD, JR. Authorized Sales and Service MAGNETO SERVICE PHONE 552 226 STATE STREET WAYCROSS, GEORGIA Best Wishes DIXIE MUSIC COMPANY Oprators of PHONOGRAPH AND COIN MACHINES N. J. GRIFFIS IPHONE 3935-R W. R. REGISTER, JR. PHONE 4331 608»/2 ALBANY AVENUE WAYCROSS, GA. PHONE 2015 Greetings and Best Wishes HINSON-MILES FUNERAL HONE JOHN L. MILES, Jr., Owner-Manager 510 Mary Street Phone 123 WAYCROSS, GEORGIA Way cross, Georgia The gifts to the poor usually consist of collections before the Megillah reading. It is customary, in the Synagogue, to have a plate or special collection box, “Ktippah,” into which the congre gants toss their contributions. These gifts are intended to rep resent the ancient “Machtzit Hashekel,” or half of the unit coin of the realm. Today, these collec tions in American synagogues are usually turned over to the Jewish National Fund for its manifold projects in Israel. Since Purim is a joyous holiday, it is celebrated with feasting. The special festive meal is known as “Se’ udat Purim,” the Purim feast. The Sudeah usually is held towards the evening of Purim day (Megillah 7B). In connection with the feasting, there has developed a unique type of pastry which has become symbolic of Purim’s his toric event. The name of this special delicacy differed in vari ous countries. In Germany it was known as “Hamantaschen” or “Hamanohren.” In Italy is was called “Orrechi d’Haman.” In He brew it is called “Aznai Haman.” Drinking Encouraged on This Occasion Alcoholism is a social problem seldom found among Jews. How- Greetings and Best Wishes . LEE'S BEAUTY SHOP 413 MARY STREET PHONE 32 WAYCROSS, GEORGIA Best Wishes DeSHAZO'S Art in Flowers & Gifts PHONE 2537 406 Tebeau Street WAYCROSS, GEORGIA THE SOUTHERN JEWISH WEEKLY ever, excessive drinking on Purim is actually encouraged by the Jewish authorities. The basis for this is the fact that the whole miracle of Purim was occasioned through wine: Vashti lost her crown because of a wine feast and Esther donned it in her stead; Haman set his downfall at the wine banquet arranged by Esther. Oddly enough, the Talmud (Megillah 7B) states on Purim “a man should mellow himself with wine until he knows not the difference between ‘Cursed is Haman’ or ‘Blessed is Mordecai’.” There is no better invitation to getting drunk than this peculiar statement. However, Rabbi Moses Isserles, who wrote the famous glosses to the “Schulchan Aruch,” points out that the rabbis did not insist that one must get drunk, but to merely imbibe enough be yond one’s usual capacity so that he will fall asleep, and because he is slumbering, not know the dif ference between “Cursed is Ha man” and “Blessed is Mordecai.” The Talmud relates an unusual narrative about Rabbah and Rabbi Zera who spent a Purim feast to gether. They became mellow, and Rabbah arose and cut Rabbi Zera’s throat (apparently without killing him). On the following day he prayed on his behalf and revived him. The following year, Rabbah said to Rabbi Zera, “will you come and we will have the Purim feast together?” He replied: “A miracle does not take place on every occasion.” It is to be remembered that in ages past, Jewish life did not draw the line between religious and secular activities. Thus, there are found sacred Hebrew hymns as wine songs for Purim. There are various humorous jingles which were sung in the synagogue on Purim. Because no severe lines were drawn between the sacred and the profane, on Purim, boister ousness played an important part in the Synagogue Megillah serv (Continued on Page 21) Best Wishes BEST BY TASTE •TEST Royal Crown Bottling Co. Bottlers of ROYAL CROWN COLA and ALL FRUIT FLAVORS 415 ALBANY AVENUE TELEPHONE 252 ' WAYCROSS, GEORGIA BROTHERHOOD GREETNGS A Good Place to Eat Hamburgers - Hot Dogs Fountain Service Steaks - Chops REGULAR MEALS FROM 6 A.M. to 12 P.M. MEET YOUR FRIENDS AND ENJOY YOUR FAVORITE MiALS WEST DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT "Call In Your Orders" Coll 993 U. S. 1, SOUTH Across from Palm Auto Cts. “The Railroad Center” BROTHERHOOD GREETINGS Kammerer Electric Company, Inc. HAROLD KAMMERER WIRING FIXTURES APPLIANCES Telephone 575 WAYCROSS, GEORGIA 626 Plant Avenue Greetings and Best Wishes FRIEDMAN'S JEWELERS SOUTH'S GREATEST CREDIT JEWELERS Stores Throughout Georgia and South Carolina 506 ELIZABETH WAYCROSS, GEORGIA Greetings and Best Wishes FRANK ELDRIDGE HARDWARE & SEED CO. COMPLETE LINE OF HARDWARE AND SEED 875 TEBEAU STREET IPHONE 1001 WAYCROSS, GEORGIA Greetings and Best Wishes DIXIE COTTAGES J. D. Bennett, Owner Private Baths Hot and Cold Water Well Heated JACKSONVILLE HIGHWAY S. PHONE 2067 WAYCROSS, GEORGIA BROTHERHOOD GREETINGS Rosedale Florist & Nursery 1804 Albany Ave. Phone 507 WAYCROSS, GEORGIA Brotherhood Means Selectivity by Individual Ability MAUREEN'S DANCE STUDIO Classes in Tap, Ballet and Acrobatic 823 Harrell Street WAYCROSS, GA. IPhone 871 Greetings and Best Wished ALLEN SHOE STORE 410 Elizabeth Street Waycross, Georgia BROTHERHOOD GREETINGS J. C. PENNEY CO., INC. 514 ELIZABETH PHONE 138 WAYCROSS, GEORGIA BROTHERHOOD GREETINGS "MAIL-ME-MONiDAY" of Waycross R. M. Nabers & Associates, Inc. "Nationally accepted recordkeeping and tax service lor independent businesses." 506 Isabella Street BOX 75 Phone 2741 WAYCROSS. GEORGIA Preserve That Spirit of Brotherhood So Essential to Prograss Waycross Journal-Herald 402 ISABELLA PHONE 86 WAYCROSS, GEORGIA BrotherhoodMean^GoodTwiirYow^ni^rMen^^ HIRES PLANING MILL CO. Wholesale and Retail Dealers in ROUGH AND DRESSED LUMBER, MOULDINGS AND TURNED WORK 721 ALBANY PHONE 568 WAYCROSS. GEORGIA Preserve That Spirit of Brotherhood So Essential to Prograss BUHH-STUBBS MOTORS. IRC. Oldsmobile Rocket Hydra-Matic 140 Lee Avenue Phone 1983 WAYCROSS, GEORGIA Friday, February 17, 1956