Purim’s tale of good versus evil—and a heroic queen—teaches about politics and human initiative in a world in which miracles have ended.

Many of the "modern" adjustments in author Leah Koenig's new cookbook are subtle, but the results to classics like roasted chicken, schav and gefilte fish are revelatory.

The ubiquity of the tri-cornered Purim cookie hits you in the face when thumbing through a stack of kosher cookbooks (which I do on a

The story of Purim—with its fairy-tale rendering of a rebellious queen and the beautiful Jewish woman who takes her place, of a king who is

Each holiday has a sibling; according to the rabbis, Purim is matched with Yom Kippur—biblically known as Yom Ha-kippurim. Kippurim is taken to mean “like Purim,” and there

Card playing is not known to be a Purim pastime, but maybe along with Megilla reading and shalah manot it should be. Especially if we mandate using

Ages 5 and Up The Story of Esther: A Purim Tale retold by Eric A. Kimmel. Illustrated by Jill Weber. (Holiday House, 32 pp. $16.95)

Political activist Arthur Szyk interpreted the Book of Esther as one who was a witness to history and fighter for justice. Renowned artist and political