Shabbos 250
PURIM

Purim. Hidden miracles, four mitzvos.

Hear the megillah twice, give matanos l'evyonim and mishloach manos, and enjoy a festive Purim seudah.

PRINTABLE PACKET

Print your Purim packet.

PDF — cover, the five essentials, step-by-step, the blessings, your shopping list, and a one-page FAQ. Personalized with your local times when you set your ZIP.

Without a ZIP we still print the full guide; just no candle-lighting time.
FIVE ESSENTIALS

What you really need to know.

01
Hear Megillas Esther twice
Once at night, once during the day. Hear every word. If you missed a word, ask someone to repeat it for you.
02
Matanos L'Evyonim
Give to at least 2 poor people on Purim day. Even small amounts count.
03
Mishloach Manos
Send at least 2 types of food to at least 1 friend on Purim day. Through a third party.
04
Purim seudah
A festive meal during the daylight hours of Purim. Drink wine — the tradition is to drink until you can't tell the difference between cursing Haman and blessing Mordechai (with care for safety).
05
Al HaNissim added
In every Amidah and Birkas Hamazon for the day.
STEP-BY-STEP

Purim, one step at a time.

  1. DAY BEFORE

    Ta'anis Esther.

    A daytime fast on the day before Purim, commemorating Esther's fast before approaching Achashverosh. Begins at dawn, ends at nightfall.

  2. NIGHT

    Megillah reading — night.

    After Maariv. Make noise at every Haman.

  3. DAY MORNING

    Matanos L'Evyonim + Mishloach Manos.

    Give tzedakah to at least 2 poor people, send food packages to at least 1 friend.

  4. DAY MORNING

    Megillah reading — day.

    Repeated reading at the morning service.

  5. DAY AFTERNOON

    Purim seudah.

    Festive meal during the day. Wine. Singing. Joy.

BLESSINGS

What to say, and when.

Before each megillah reading

Al Mikra Megillah

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל מִקְרָא מְגִלָּה

Baruch atah Adonai… al mikra megillah.

…who has commanded us concerning the reading of the megillah.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Shopping & prep list.

  • ·Mishloach manos: at least 2 foods per friend, ideally pretty packaging
  • ·Cash or checks for Matanos L'Evyonim
  • ·Wine for the seudah
  • ·Costumes (a custom — purim is the day of v'nahafoch hu, "the reversal")
  • ·Groggers (noisemakers) for the megillah reading
  • ·Festive seudah ingredients
TEFILLAH NOTES
  • Al HaNissim in every Amidah + Birkas Hamazon.
  • No Tachanun on Purim.
FAQ

Common questions.

What if I miss one of the megillah readings?

Try to find another reading nearby — many shuls hold multiple. If truly unable, there's halachic discussion about whether reading on your own counts; ask a rabbi.

Do I have to drink wine?

The tradition is to drink, but health and safety come first. Many drink a small amount and rely on the principle of joy through wine rather than literal intoxication.

When is Shushan Purim?

In walled cities (Yerushalayim, primarily), Purim is observed on 15 Adar instead of 14 Adar.

See Purim on your calendar.

100 years of local candle lighting and Havdalah times — including every Purim between now and 2126.

Open the calendar
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