Holiday spirit

 So every year on the 17th of March we celebrate Ireland’s patron saint.  I’m sure you’re familiar with Patrick.  The son of Roman gentry living in 5th Century Britain, he was kidnapped and enslaved by Irish raiders.  Later he became a Christian missionary to Ireland.  He is credited with teaching the Irish about the Trinity by using a shamrock.  He is also credited with chasing all the snakes out of Ireland.

The day is celebrated with feasting and drinking, with parades, with merriment.  It’s said that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.

Here’s a song by the Irish Rovers in celebration of the day.

But we are also celebrating another holiday today.  Today is the Jewish holiday of Purim. Jewish holidays are determined by the lunar calendar.  The last time Purim and St. Patrick’s Day coincided was 1984, I think.

Definition of a Jewish holiday:  they tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat.

In this case, the “they” was Haman, the villain in the Biblical story of Queen Esther.  When Esther was chosen to be queen of Persia, she hid her Jewish identity.  When Haman  decided to kill the Jews of Persia, Esther was called upon to rescue her people. She bravely approached her husband the king and begged for the lives of her people.  

The day is celebrated by feasting and drinking, by dressing up in costume.  Some synagogues have carnivals or plays for the children.  

Here’s something from the Maccabeats.

  

Happy holidays! Enjoy your corned beef and cabbage, and maybe have some hamantaschen for dessert.