Purim: The Most Joyful – and Rowdy – Jewish Holiday

Jews often joke that the stories behind most of our holidays can be summed up as, "They tried to kill us, they failed, let's eat." While the Jewish holiday of Purim -- which, in the United States this year, begins on Wednesday at sundown and concludes on Thursday night -- is in the same vein, it is distinguished from the others by being, hands down, our most joyful celebration. Purim is downright rowdy. For the holiday, Jews dress up in costumes and make noise during the reading of the megillah, the scroll that contains the Book of Esther. The Talmud tells us to drink wine until we can't tell an enemy from a friend.In addition to partying, Purim is about generosity. As part of our observance of the holiday, Jews send sweet treats to friends and family and also give to the poor.