Celebrating Purim In Jerusalem, Israel

Ultra-Orthodox children wear costumes to celebrate Purim in Jerusalem, Israel. Purim is a festival that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people living throughout the ancient Persian Empire from a plot by Haman the Agagite to annihilate them, as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). According to the story, Haman cast lots to determine the day upon which to exterminate the Jews.