“The joy of Purim, the merrymaking, the food, the drink, the whole carnival atmosphere, are there to allow us to live with the risks of being a Jew – in the past, and tragically in the present also – without being terrified, traumatised or intimidated.” — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
The festival of Purim is known as the Jewish carnival of happiness, commemorating the rescue of the Jewish people during the ancient Persian Empire from Haman, the man who planned to “destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews… in a single day”. The word “purim” means “lots” in ancient Persian and became the name of the festival because Haman drew lots to randomly determine when he would carry out his plot.
When is Purim 2026
14
Adar II
5786
Begins: Sundown on Monday 2 March 2026
Ends: Nightfall on Tuesday 3 March 2026
Videos on Purim
Purim Inspiration: Even You Can Change The World
This shiur was recorded at the Bnei Akiva Schools of Toronto on 16th March 2016. Transcript K’vod HaRav, Rabbi Grauer, talmidim vetalmidot, beloved friends, it's an enormous privilege to be able to daven with you, to be in this wonderful...
Purim Spiel with Ashley Blaker
Rabbi Sacks and comedian Ashley Blaker in conversation for Purim 2018.
JInsider Videos
Rabbi Sacks on Antisemitism
What is antisemitism?
The short answer is this...
Read about Purim
ARTICLES
The Therapeutic Joy of Purim
Listen to an audio recording of Rabbi Sacks, created in 2020, or read the full article from 2015 (below): There...
From The Archives
Essays and writings from Rabbi Sacks' extensive body of work
ARTICLES
The Unique Joy of Purim
This Purim message from Rabbi Sacks was originally shared on his social posts in March 2020...
ARTICLES
Remember the Past to Build the Future
If you’re driving through a Jewish area this Saturday night or Sunday, don’t be surprised if you see lots of...
ARTICLES, REFLECTIONS, SHIURIM
God's Hidden Call
Chazal, our Sages, asked a strange question in the Gemara of Chullin (139b): Esther min haTorah minayin? “Where do we...
SHIURIM, SPEECHES
Haman: The First Antisemite
This shiur was originally delivered at Yeshiva University on 2nd February 2014. Transcript Thank you, President Joel for those lovely...
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY, BROADCASTS
Remember the past, put it behind you, and build a better future
If you’re driving through a Jewish area this Saturday night or Sunday...
ARTICLES, SPEECHES
What Lessons Can We Learn from the Story of Purim?
This 2008 Purim message from Rabbi Sacks was aimed at the community of Sderot, following an intensified wave of terror...
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY, BROADCASTS
Purim and the Longest Hatred
In a few days’ time we’ll be celebrating the Jewish festival of Purim. It’s a joyous day. We have a...
SPEECHES
A Prayer for the Thirteen Imprisoned Iranian Jews
In April 2000 Rabbi Sacks delivered an address at an emergency Prayer Meeting, held in Bevis Marks while news of...
ARTICLES
Purim’s Link to Holocaust
Reviewing a book of mine in The Spectator two years ago, Bruce Anderson began with the sentence, “The Chief Rabbi...
