Esther Go Bragh

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t really a gentile holiday that Jews really care much about one way or the other.  Growing up, I just knew that there was one day a year that we didn’t wear green.  Pretty much all beer and Irish whiskey is kosher, so there are no strong feelings of envy from being excluded, and as far as Wikipedia tells me, St. Patty himself wasn’t particularly anti-Semitic (though he was a member of the Catholic Church in the 5^th century, so one can’t be so sure).  St. Patrick’s Day isn’t even usually incorporated into mid-March’s sitcom plots. Click this too.

But St. Patrick’s Day this year is particularly relevant, as I just learned that during every Jewish leap year (like this one), Purim falls during the same week (like this one).  So therein lies my segue.  Both are celebrated by drinking adloyada.  There used to be a bunch of Jews in Ireland and there still are a few.  Fleeing pogroms and such, immigrants from Lithuania found refuge there.  Famous Irish Jews include Daniel Day-Lewis, Daniel Radcliff (kind of), and Bono (just kidding).  And then there are the Israelis who celebrate the day in "Irish" pubs that are more Disney than Dublin.

So this Purim, in honor of our Irish brethren, fill your mishloach manot baskets with soda bread, potatoes, nips of Jameson, and other lucky charms.

I would be remiss if I didn't include The Maccabeats' adorable Purim video.  They just make my inner Stern girl squeal and cry.