Purim

Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman's plot as told in the Book of Esther. It is the most festive and joyous Jewish holiday, with costume-wearing, theatrical readings of the Megillah (Esther scroll), sending gifts of food (mishloach manot), and charitable giving. In Israel, cities hold parades and street parties, and the celebration rivals Carnival in its exuberance.