Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 256, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1917 — Meaning of “Purim.” [ARTICLE]

Meaning of “Purim.”

The word “purim,” the name of the great annual festival of the Jews, means “lots.” This feast commemorates the preservation of the Jews in Persia from the massacre with which they were threatened by Haman (Esther 9). They gave the name purim or “lots” to coTnmemorate the festival because he had thrown lots to ascertain what day would be auspMous for the massacre.