This is a Purim box from the Netherlands thought to be from the 1700s. Although its purpose is not known, it may have been used for mishloach manot (Purim food gifts) or for collecting matanot l’evyonim (gifts for the poor), both of which are Purim mitzvot. The square, wooden box has a lid which is attached with a hinge. The box is painted and decorated in yellow, red, blue, brown, green, and pink. The image on the lid is of a man riding a horse. He appears to be dressed as a soldier or king’s messenger, and he is carrying a scroll. The side of the box is decorated with a large Magen David (Star of David) with a drawing of what appears to be a tzedakah box in the middle. The top section of the box has a flower patterned border.
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Purim - Purim is celebrated on the 14 Adar as the day the Jewish people were saved from destruction during the fourth century BCE. The heroine of the Purim story, Queen Esther, worked together with her uncle, Mordechai, to reverse the decree of genocide issued against the Jewish people by Haman, the vizier of Persia. It is the tradition on Purim to dress up in costumes, distribute small food packages known as mishloach manot, give charity, and listen to the reading of the Megilla – the Book of Esther.
Purim Mitzvot – Four special mitzvot (commandments) are associated with Purim. The central mitzvah is listening to the reading of Megillat Esther (Book of Esther) which tells the Purim story of Haman’s attempt to annihilate the Jews of Persia and their salvation with the help of Queen Esther and Mordechai. The mitzvot of giving mishloach manot (Purim food gifts), which often include pastries, sweets, and wine, holding a seudah (festive meal), and distributing matanot l’evyonim (gifts for the poor) are all performed during the day of Purim.
The Jewish Community of the Netherlands – Jews have been living in the Netherlands since the Roman era, but the most reliable records referring to Jews living in Nijmegen, Doesburg, and Arnhem date back to the 1100s. The spread of the Black Death during the Middle Ages led to much anti-Semitism, blood libels, expulsions, and massacres in the Netherlands, as in other European countries. Documentation describes that Jews provided services, mainly financial, and paid taxes and in return received some protection from the kings and nobles. In the late fifteenth century, Jews were expelled or forced to convert to Christianity in Spain and Portugal. The atmosphere in the Netherlands, however, was more tolerant and favourable for the Jews, and many Spanish and Portuguese Jews arrived in the country, where they could practise their religion freely. Many of these Spanish and Portuguese Jews settled in Amsterdam and established successful trading businesses. Famous Jews of this time included the rabbi Menasseh Ben Israel and the philosopher Baruch Spinoza. German Jews were also attracted to the tolerant Dutch cities and began to immigrate to the country. They were generally poorer than the Sephardi Jews who had already settled in the Netherlands and were less welcome. Many were turned away and ended up settling in rural areas and establishing Jewish communities throughout the Dutch provinces. Over time, these Jews also prospered, and many were responsible for founding the Dutch diamond business. The eighteenth century brought the Dutch Jews emancipation and further prosperity. By the outbreak of World War II around 140,000 Jews lived in the Netherlands, among them approximately 25,000 German Jewish refugees. Germany occupied the country in 1940, and only 35,000 Dutch Jews survived the Holocaust. The Dutch Jewish community underwent many changes after the war, and many of the survivors immigrated to Israel and other countries. In the 1980s the community was boosted by an influx of Israeli and Russian Jews, and currently around 45,000 Jews live in the Netherlands, mostly in Amsterdam.
