Purim and Mardi Gras, what do they have in common? Absolutely nothing, yet some Jewish people who celebrate Purim claim that Purim is like Mardi Gras. They wear mask, have parades, paint their faces, eat frolic and dance the same way they do for Mardi Gras and Carnival.
Here is a quote from a Jewish site about Purim. “It’s possible these ancient rituals of celebrating before times of restriction could be adopted to form a more perfect union between all faiths.
A universal holiday celebrated for the pleasure and happiness of everyone in the entire world, with no importance on creed, race, or nationality. These days are beautiful now, but with the entire world in attendance it could be even more beautiful; donning masks, and beautiful attire, celebrating over good wine and drink; this is your month for that; so many holidays celebrating masquerade.
So happy Purim, Carnival or Mardi gras, whatever it is you’ll take part in this year. Or if none of the above, steal a mask and sneak into a crowd, remember no one knows you, and be someone you never thought you’d be”.
The belief of Mardi gras and carnival as we know have ancient origins of Babylon which was adopted and cultivated in Egypt, Greece and Roman.
When Christianity came forth and began to spread, Constantine Emperor of Rome instituted these pagan rituals with the Jewish feast so that his kingdom could be one without giving up their beliefs as he thought. All holidays of Rome began with the birth of the Sun god (Christmas) because in ancient times it represented the rise of the Sun god, which pointed to the end of winter and the beginning of spring but we know much wickedness was done during this time.
Passover-Easter, Day of Dedication- Hanukah-Christmas. These are big holidays celebrated by the so call Christians and Jews. Now some Jews want Purim and Mardi gras to be one in the same ritualistic celebration.
Easter as we know celebrates the spring equinox but in order to lure Christians in this belief they added the crucifixion of Christ to draw them to this pagan ritual. In ancient times, Easter provided them with another ritual that the pagans did by copulating on their fields would make it fertile with better crops and by doing this they would worship their goddess of fertility.
What is Purim and the true meaning so that we will know the true differences? Purim was the victory over the enemies of the Jews led by Haman who thought that they could destroy the very name of the Jews that was scattered throughout the kingdom of King Ahasuerus especially the people of Mordecai and Esther, Esther 3:6 Satan put fear in the mind of Esther by the king not calling her for 30 days, and she knew if anyone came before the king not summoned could be their death even her.
But as we know God always prevail and Esther and Mordecai prevailed against Haman and his evil plot. The Jews picked up their weapons and destroyed their enemies with the king’s permission. But this story did not end here because it refrains to our day. We and all of God’s children will get the victory over Satan our enemy. We will pick up our sword which is the word of God and we shall prevail. This will be a great victory over sin and death. Why should we dance in the streets hiding behind masks and painted faces as those Jews do who do not know the meaning of this feast day?
We will lift up our voices and sing praises unto the Lord for sparing our lives as he did in the days of Esther. Even though we are only a remnant of a great nation that was peeled and meted out and scattered to the four corners of the earth, God will make us victorious over all of our enemies. Amen.
Credits:
Created with images by WFranz - "venice carnival masks women" • Ellen26 - "party carnival happy" • OrnaW - "mask clown purim"