It often seems that Purim is the longest holiday of the year. It lasts from Chanukah to Pesach — from the first hamentasch that appears in the stores right after the doughnuts finally leave to the last gumdrop left from mishloach manos surreptitiously swallowed before burning the chometz.

Inevitably the longer the holiday the more fascinating the customs relating to it. Beyond the requisite Purim mitzvos that all communities share a wide range of original Purim minhagim abound originating from all points of the globe.

The sources of many of these practices remain shrouded in mystery the origins lost over the passing of time. Perhaps some of these traditions evolved due to the spirit of the day. Though evidence is not clear as to why we keep every individual custom each community proudly and persistently preserves their individual minhagim as a genuine part of what characterizes Purim.

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