Rabbi Sacks on Purim
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 2025? The fast of Esther (Ta'anit Esther) falls on Wednesday 21 March, and the festival of Purim will be celebrated from nightfall on Thursday evening 13 March 2025, until sunset on Friday 14 March 2025.
Shushan Purim runs from nightfall on Sunday 16 March until sunset on Monday 17 March 2025.
Discover Purim through the thought of Rabbi Sacks, by browsing articles, videos, shiurim, quotes, and teaching resources.
Purim: The Family Edition
A resource from our Ceremony & Celebration Family Edition series, for intergenerational learning about the chag.
Lessons From the Story of Purim
A transcript of the speech given by Rabbi Sacks in 2008 during a solidarity visit to Israel.
Purim's Link to the Holocaust
Originally published in the London Jewish News and the Jewish Telegraph in 1999.
Even You Can Change the World
Purim inspiration: A recording of the shiur given to the Bnei Akiva Schools of Toronto.
On Antisemitism
A short JInsider video where Rabbi Sacks links the origins of antisemitism to Haman.
A Prayer for Iranian Jewish Prisoners
This tefillah was shared by Rabbi Sacks in April 2000, at an emergency Prayer Meeting held in Bevis Marks.
Remember the Past to Build the Future
Rabbi Sacks answers one on the great questions of history: how do you live with the past without being held captive by it?
Purim Spiel with Ashley Blaker
Just for fun, Rabbi Sacks and TV writer and comedian Ashley Blaker made this Purim spoof video together.