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Wiping Out Amalek

Picture courtesy of
Artscroll Books

Why do we have to smear Haman so much? It comes from the mitzva to "wipe out Amalek", given to us in the Torah.
Over the centuries, Haman effigies have been burned, hung, crucified (yup!), beaten up, and dragged through the streets behind a horse. (Want to see other world customs from Purim?) Haman's name has been written on the bottom of shoes and stomped out, erased from pieces of paper, and written in wax and melted. Its mere mention, can send a bunch of otherwise dignified people into a frenzy.

What's with all the noise?!?

During the Megilla reading, every time Haman's name is mentioned, all heck breaks loose! People scream, honk their horns, and crow like chickens. Firecrackers go off, tamborines jingle, and "Taps" plays.