Purim

Purim פּוּרִים‎
An 18th century prayerbook on the miracles of Purim
Observed by	Jews
Type	Jewish religious, cultural
Significance	Celebration of Jewish deliverance as told in the Book of Esther (Megillah)
Celebrations	Listening to the Book of Esther in synagogue; sending food parcels and giving charity; dressing up in costume; eating a festive meal
Date	14th day of Adar (in Jerusalem and all ancient walled cities, 15th of Adar)
2016 date	Sunset, 23 March – nightfall, 24 March
2017 date	Sunset, 11 March – nightfall, 12 March
Related to	Hanukkah, as a rabbinically decreed Jewish holiday.

Purim (/ˈpʊərɪm/; Hebrew:  פּוּרִים‎  Pûrîm "lots", from the word פור‎ pur, related to Akkadian: pūru) is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, who was planning to kill all the Jews. This took place in the ancient Persian Empire. The story is recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (מגילת אסתר‎ Megillat Ester in Hebrew).