Purim plays are the oldest evidence of Ashkenazic theatrical performances. The story of the biblical Book of Esther has been performed as a play during the Purim feast since at least the 16th century. Some decades earlier, parodies on sermons and prayers like the most famous "Shpil fun taub Yeklein" (Play of the deaf Yeklein) emerged. Purim plays are still performed today by Jewish children to entertain during the holidays.

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Purim plays are the oldest evidence of Ashkenazic theatrical performances. Similar to non-Jewish carnival performances, they mark the transit…