During the Israel-Hamas war, Jews will soon celebrate Purim — one of their most joyous holidays
Purim is widely depicted as the most thoroughly joyful of Jewish holidays — highlighted by celebrations that include costumes, skits, noisemakers and varying degrees of rowdiness.
It celebrates the biblical story of how a plot to exterminate in Persia was thwarted, and thus is embraced as an affirmation of Jewish survival throughout history. For many Jews, it will have extra significance this year during a war in Gaza triggered by the Oct. 7 attacks on in which killed 1,200 people and
