Holidays > Tu Bshevat & Purim

Tu B'Shevat is the New Year for the purpose of calculating the age of trees for tithing. One custom is to eat a new fruit on this day. Some people plant trees on this day.

Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination.The Purim holiday is preceded by a minor fast, the Fast of Esther, which commemorates Esther's three days of fasting in preparation for her meeting with the king.

Purim Customs: Masquerades and hamantashens. A time-honored Purim custom is for children to dress up and disguise themselves - an allusion to the fact that the miracle of Purim was disguised in natural garments. This is also the significance behind a traditional Purim food, the hamantash - a pastry whose filling is hidden within a three-cornered crust.

Brief Guide to Purim:Listen to the Megillah; give to the needy; send Mishloach Manot ( gift baskets)  to friends, teachers and others; special festive meal and special prayers.

Gift baskets usually contain  Kosher wine and pastries, sweets, chocolate, nuts, candy and/or other type of food stuff. You can depend on Israel's The Judaica Centre to bring you the best products at the best prices.