Ahashverosh
King of Persia (modern-day Iran) and a main character in the Purim story. When his queen, Vashti, refuses to entertain guests at the king’s feast, he banishes her.
Vashti
Former queen of Persia (modern-day Iran) and a main character in the Purim story. Vashti refuses to entertain guests at King Ahashverosh’s feast, and is banished.
chol hamo-eid
"Secular part of the occasion;" during Passover and Sukkot, the intermediate days of the festival.
etrog
"Citron." Lemon-like fruit used in Sukkot rituals.
grogger
"Noisemaker" (Hebrew); used to drown out Haman's name during the M'gillah reading on Purim.
hakafah
"encircle, round off, circle around, orbit;" procession of worshippers carrying Torah scrolls that circles the sanctuary; plural hakafot.
hamantaschen
Triangle-shaped pastries commonly filled with apricot jam or poppyseed spread (or other fillings) and eaten on Purim; the shape represents Haman's hat or ears
lulav
A date palm frond with myrtle and willow sprigs attached; used in Sukkot rituals.
m'gillah
"Scroll;" One of the five m'gillot (plural) in the Bible: Esther, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentation and Ecclesiastes.
mishloach manot
"Sending of portions" (Hebrew). Baskets of sweets and other foods exchanged among friends on Purim.