1) Purim Checklist 2) Summary of laws relating to Seudas Purim

Purim Checklist:

• Wear Shabbos clothes.
• Recite Al Hanissim
• No eating before Megillah at night and by morning
• Have small festive meal after Megillah at night.
• Omit Tachanun in Kerias Shema Al Hamita
• Wake up early.
• Have in mind by Shehechiyanu of Megillah the Mitzvos of the day.
• Do not perform work.
• Review Pesach laws.
• Give Mishloach Manos to one person.
• Make sure wife and kids give Mishloach Manos.
• Give charity to two paupers on Purim day.
• Make sure wife and kids give Matanos Laevyonim to two paupers.
• Learn Torah before Purim meal.
• Eat majority of the Purim Seuda before sunset.
• Wash on bread and have meat during the meal.
• Eat legumes during the meal.
• Drink wine before sunset.
• Recite Al Hanissim in Birchas Hamazon if one did not yet Daven Maariv.

Checklist of Megillah reading:

• Join the reading of the local Shul.
• Fold the Megillah into three parts prior to commencing the blessings. Roll the Megillah back up only after the after blessing is recited.
• Recite all three blessings before the reading of both night and day.
• Upon saying/hearing the blessings have in mind to fulfill the obligation.
• The reader is to stand when reading the Megillah.
• Strike Haman in those areas that the name Haman is written together with a description, such as Haggagi or Hara.
• The congregation recites these four versus aloud: Ish Yehudi; Umordechai Yatza; Layehudim Haysa Ora; Ki Mordechai Hayehudi.
• Repeat Leharog Uliabeid, Vilahrog Uliabeid
• Repeat Bifneiyhem; Lifneiyhem.
• Raise the voice by Balayla Hahu.
• Read the ten sons of Haman in a single breath. The congregation is to first read the ten sons to themselves and then have the Chazan repeat it.
• The Megillah is rustled at the mention of the words “Ha’igeres hazos” [9:26] and again at “Igeres haPurim hazos hasheinis” [ 9:29].
• One must elongate the pronunciation of the Vav of Vayzasa.

Important reminders:

• By a reading in which only women are fulfilling their obligation, the wording recited is Lishmoa Megillah.
• If one already heard the Megillah reading, and is reading the Megillah on behalf of others, the listener is to say the blessings himself or herself.
• When reading the Megillah for only women listeners, each woman is to say the blessing to herself prior to the reading, or have one woman say it aloud for everyone to hear and fulfill their obligation.
• If a Minyan is not present the after blessing of Harav Es Riveinu is omitted.
• If one did not hear even one word, or even one letter, of the Megillah reading he has not fulfilled his obligation. If one missed a word from the Chazan he must verbally read that missed word. He must continue reading the missed word until he catches up to the Chazan’s reading, in which case he is to stop verbalizing the words and listen to the reading.
• The Megillah is to be read straight from beginning to end without interval. One is not to delay more than one breath between each verse. However, one is to delay slightly between each chapter.

For the full article with sources and footnotes, please see our website

Purim Seuda:

• It is a Mitzvah to eat a lavish and festive meal on Purim.
  • This Mitzvah is a Biblical command, as rejoicing on Purim is from the words of Scripture which has the same power as the words of Torah.
  • One fulfills his obligation through eating even a single meal on Purim day.
• When? It is an obligation to eat one festive meal on Purim during daytime.
  • One does not fulfill his obligation with a meal eaten the previous night, and certainly not with a meal eaten on Motzei Purim.
  • Customarily, it is eaten after an early Mincha.
  • One is to beware to eat most of the meal while it is still day.
• Learning Torah prior to the meal: Prior to commencing the meal, one should learn words of Torah, as this protects him from any damage occurring to him during the meal.
  • It is proper to learn Mishnayos from Tractate Shekalim before the meal, and Tractate Megillah after the meal.
• The menu: It is a Mitzvah to have delicacies and festive foods eaten during this meal.
  • It is best to wash on bread for this meal.
  • It is a proper custom to bake bread on Erev Purim so one has fresh bread available, just like is the custom on Erev Shabbos.
  • It is disputed whether it is an obligation for one to eat [animal] meat during the Purim meal however according to all it is a Mitzvah to do so.
  • One is to eat grains and legumes, in commemoration of the Zaronim which Daniel ate in Bavel.
  • It is customary to eat a triangular shaped pastry filling called Haman-Tashen.
  • One is to gather his family and friends for the Purim Seuda as it is not possible to rejoice alone.
• Getting drunk: Men are obligated to get drunk [on wine] on Purim to the point they cannot differ between “blessed is Mordechai and cursed is Haman.”
  • Some rule there is no need to drink alcohol to this point, and it rather suffices to drink slightly more than the norm and then sleep.
  • Whichever opinion one decides to follow, whether he drinks more or drinks less, his intentions are to be for the sake of heaven.
  • In some Sichos the Rebbe applied the decree to Purim as well. In other Sichos the Rebbe said the decree does not apply to Purim. After a thorough analysis of each source, it seems the Rebbe’s opinion leans to apply the decree to Purim as well. [Practically, each person is to seek advice with his Asei Lecha Rav, and whichever one does he should do so for the sake of heaven.]
  • The Mitzvah of drinking wine is to be fulfilled during the day, by the Purim meal.
  • Seemingly, one is to reach this state prior to sunset, as is the time frame of fulfillment for all of the Mitzvos on Purim.
  • One fulfills his obligation with any form of alcohol. Nevertheless, it is best to get drunk on wine, as the main miracles of Purim took place through wine.
• Birchas Hamazon: In the grace after meals, one adds Al Hanissim.
  • If the meal extended into the night one is to nevertheless recite Al Hanisim in his Bentching.
  • If one Davened Maariv prior to Bentching he no longer says Al Hanissim in Bentching. [Thus, one is to avoid Davening Maariv prior to Bentching in order so he be able to say Al Hanissim.]
  • If one forgot to say Al Hanissim and has finished Bentching he has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation and does not need to repeat Birchas Hamazon. If he remembered before reciting Hashem’s name in the blessing of “Al Haaretz Veal Hamazon” then he is to go back to Al Hanissim.
  • If, however, one has already recited Hashem’s name, then if one has not yet concluded Birchas Hamazon, he is to recite “Harachaman Hu Yaaseh Lanu Nissim Viniflaos Kemo Sheasa Laavoseinu Bayamim Haheim Bezman…Bimeiy Mordechai”, in the orders of Harachmans which are recited.
• May one Daven Maariv or Bentch if he is drunk? One may say all blessings even if he is very drunk to the point he cannot speak before a king.
  • Initially one is to recite Birchas Hamazon prior to becoming drunk to the point one cannot speak before a King.
  • If one did not do so, then [if he became satiated from the meal] he is to bentch even in a very drunk state.
  • It is only forbidden to Daven under the influence of alcohol if: One drank to the point he cannot walk straight or feels extremely under the influence.
  • If one consumed more than a Revius and feels slightly tipsy then he must Daven within a Siddur.