Belief in brief: The scenes of Purim

COLUMBIA — Purim, considered by some Americans to be the “Jewish Mardi Gras,” is a celebration of the story of Esther and her deliverance of the Jews in Persia 2300 years ago. Purim is celebrated in the Hebrew month of Adar II, which usually falls between February and March on the lunar calendar, and is marked by the reading of the Megillah — the story of the deliverance of the Jews in Persia in the Book of Esther — masquerading, feasting and charity.