Printed from chabad.org

Chabad Locator

Tools

+ More Sites

Purim is preceded by two special Torah readings and a fast day. Find out their significance and associated traditions.

Pre-Purim Observances

E-mail

	Shekalim The Torah reading of the Shabbat that falls on or before Adar is supplemented with G‑d's commandment to Moses regarding the giving of the half-shekel.
	Zachor When the Israelites left Egypt, no nation dared pick a fight with them. Only Amalek, driven by profound hatred which defied logic, came to wage battle.
	Fast of Esther The day the Jews battled their enemy was a day of fasting and prayer. And fasting also preceded Esther’s approaching Ahasuerus. We commemorate these fasts . . . 8 Comments
	Prep Up to Purim The Shabbat before Purim is Shabbat Zachor. The day before Purim (in most years) is the Fast of Esther. Learn about the significance of these days and their associated observances. 3 Comments

Days of Ahasueres in Moving Pictures (7:35)
Animated Highlights of the Megillah
Purim: Gifts for the Poor (40:00)
The Purim Lottery (29:16)
Purim and the Letter "Mem" (33:45)
The Purim Slideshow
Purim: How Jewish Are You? (11:40)
A Purim Overview (58:05)

FEATURED ON CHABAD.ORG

Chabad.org is a division of the Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center · Under the auspices of the Lubavitch World Headquarters
In everlasting memory of our founder, Rabbi Yosef Y. Kazen, pioneer of Torah, Judaism and Jewish information on the web
© 1993-2013 Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center