Purim Preparation

Remember: Before Purim comes Shabbat Zachor, the Shabbat of Remembrance, when we read in the Torah a section that recounts how the people of Amalek attacked the Jewish people, motivated by unfounded hatred. The Torah commands us not to forget this evil and to "eradicate the memory of Amalek." Since Haman was a descendant of Amalek, we read about this before Purim. It is an annual obligation to fulfill this Shabbat by attending synagogue and listening to the reading!.

Fasting: To save her people from extermination, Esther risked her life by appearing before the king without permission. But first, she asked the Jewish people to fast with her for three days. Then, when the Jews fought their enemies on Purim, they also fasted and prayed.

That is why we fast the day before Purim and call it the "Fast of Esther." If Purim falls on a Sunday, we fast on the preceding Thursday.

Half Shekel: On the afternoon of the Fast of Esther or on Purim, before reading the Megillah, we give three coins whose denomination is "half" (half a dollar or half a shekel). These represent the half shekel that every Jew was required to give annually to the Temple.

In many synagogues, three half-dollar coins are placed in the offering box to buy them and then give them back to the synagogue. tzedakah. Many people have the custom of giving three half-coins for each member of the family.