The birkat ha mazon is recited everyday, but on Shabbat it is done with upbeat music. .

             Shabbat is observed differently by each Jew. Many Jews spend the day deep in prayer at the synagogues. Some use the Shabbat as a day to gather with friends and family. Family and friends often meet for big meals on Shabbat. At these meals members of the household recite Kiddish over a cup of wine. This is to recount the story of creation. Hamotzi or the breaking of the bread also takes place at these meals. Others attend Friday night services and light candles. Hadlakot Nerot is the lighting of the candles. The Jews light the candles and bless them. "They are placed on a Shabbat table as a source of warmth and illumination" (Jewish.org pg.2). All of these ways symbolize Shabbat as a special day from all the other days of the week.

             Purim is the most festive of the Jewish holidays. "Purim, or the Feast of Lots, celebrates the survival of Jews among other cultures." (Comptons pg.1) The story of Purim is told in the book of Esther. During the reign of King Ahasuerus in the 5th century BC. The king chose Esther to be his wife unknowing she was a Jew. Everything was fine until the king's chief advisor Haman ordered all subjects to bow to him. Mordecai, Esther's uncle refused for religious reasons. Haman then convinced the king to let him kill all the Jews. Esther heard of Haman's plan and arranged a meeting with her husband. She told him she was a Jew and revealed Haman's plan. The king punished Haman by killing him and his sons instead of the Jews. After this the Jews celebrated a great victory over an enemy. .

             Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, which usually falls sometime in March. 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. Dramatizations of the Purim story are often performed.