Ad-lo-yada or Purim Celebrations, Sede Boker (7th March, 2009)

Purim could be the most joyously and intensely celebrated festivals among Jews. Purim is to share the joy for having survived the wicked plot designed by Haman who attempted to destroy the whole Jewish race. According to Bible, Haman was the Prime Minister of Persian King Ahasuerus or Xerxes (486-465 BC), whose empire extended from Ethiopia to India and comprised of 127 provinces (Esther 8:9)! The story of Haman's plot to annihilate all the Jews in the empire and the role played by the Jewish Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai are described in the Book of Esther. Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Adar. Ironically, Haman was hanged on the same day (Adar 14) which he proposed for the annihilation of Jews by casting lots. The word Purim is thus derived from "Pur" which in Persian means "lot".

A day on which unusually great amount of drinking is permitted. Interestingly, in Judaism only on this one day, drinking is allowed by the religious law (Mitzvah). It was allowed for a person to get so drunk on Purim that he does not know the difference between 'cursed be Haman' and 'blessed be Mordecai". Thus the words "that he does not know" (Hebrew: ad lo yada) comprise one of the themes of the Purim celebrations. It is also customary for children and adults to wear colourful costumes, sing songs, and enact traditional themes with a modern outlook.

If you travel on Purim week, it is quite normal that you get a carnival atmosphere everywhere in Israel. In Sede Boker, Adloyada celebrations are held every year and organized by the high school kids of the campus. People from different parts of Israel arrive to watch them perform. The students prepared for weeks and had put tremendous efforts to design the banners and cut outs, completely made from recycled wastes. Here are a few snaps from the adloyada celebrations in Sede Boker.