Russian Chief Rabbi calls to soften Purim celebration after Moscow attack

• Published date: 23 March 2024
• Author: MICHAEL STARR
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

In light of a day of mourning on Sunday announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, Lazar instructed that musical events for the Jewish festival of Purim be canceled on the holiday eve and day

Lazar said that the Russian Jewish community should increase their observance of other holiday obligations, including the reading of the megillah, and giving the traditional mishloach manot gifts -- especially to the needy, and including those in hospitals and prisons.

"The news about the disaster in Moscow causes us and all of our community great feelings of sorrow," Lazar said upon learning of the attack. "We share in the mourning of the victims' families and pray for the recovery of the injured.

Lazar said that the attack in the Russian capital took place on the eve of a holiday in which the Jewish people had faced the threat of destruction, but God saved the innocent and punished those responsible. He called for unity of the forces of good in the face of evil until they were completely defeated. Observance of the holiday's commandments would strengthen unity.

Response from the Russian Jewish Congress

The Russian...