At sunset yesterday (February 23, 2013), Jews worldwide began observing one of Judaism’s most joyous and celebratory annual holidays (or “holy days”): Purim, or the Feast of Lots. Purim runs throughout the following day (today), before concluding at nightfall this evening (February 24).

I’ve written a special article all about Purim, featured elsewhere on Beliefnet (click here to read it), so repeating that material here would be redundant. However, I couldn’t let this day go by without at least acknowledging today’s Jewish holiday here on my Religion 101 blog (or without including a link to my feature article on Purim, which I encourage everyone to read).

I also can’t let today’s blog entry go by without wishing my Jewish friends and readers around the globe Chag Purim Sameach (Hebrew for “Happy Purim Holiday”) and Freilichin Purim (Yiddish for “Festive Purim”)!