The laws of Purim-Summary-Part 1-General laws

1. The month of Adar:

• Marbim Besimcha: One is to increase in joy throughout the month of Adar, starting from the first day of Rosh Chodesh Adar.
  • One is to rejoice himself, his wife and children during this month similarly to that which is done on Yom Tov.
  • Included in this Mitzvah is increasing in all matters that give one joy.
  • Foremost one is to add in spiritual matters of joy, which is increasing in learning Torah, especially the inner dimension of Torah, and the scrupulous fulfillment of Mitzvos.
  • One is to add in Simcha on every day of the month of Adar. This includes even the days after Purim, in which one is to increase his joy from one day to the next.
• Court Case: One is to endeavor to have a court case involving a non-Jew arranged for the month of Adar.
• Zayin Adar: Moshe Rabbeinu was born and passed away on this day.
  • One is to increase in joy on this day.
  • Some are accustomed to fast. This is not the Chabad custom.
  • However, one should increase in charity on this day in exchange for the fast.
  • Some do not say Tachanun on this day.
• The four extra Parshiyos: 1. Shekalim 2. Zachor 3. Para 4. Hachodesh.
• Parshas Shekalim is read on Shabbos Mevarchim Adar or, when applicable, on Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Adar.
• Parshas Zachor is a Biblical obligation and is read on the Shabbos before Purim.
  • One must have in mind to fulfill the Biblical Mitzvah with the hearing of the reading.
  • One reads first Zeicher and then Zecher.
  • Many women have the custom to come to Shul for Parshas Zachor.
• Some say Parshas Para is a Biblical obligation.
  • Women are not obligated to hear it.
• Parshas Hachodesh is always read the Shabbos following Parshas Para.

2. The Purim attire:

• Shabbos clothing: One should wear Shabbos clothing throughout the day of Purim [starting from the previous night].
• Costumes: It is accustomed to wear costumes on Purim.
• Crowns: Children are accustomed to wear crowns on Purim and those who do so are blessed.
• Cross dressing: It is accustomed on Purim to allow males to wear the clothing of females and vice versa. However, many Poskim challenge this custom and thus practically one is not to do so.
  • Some write it is to be avoided even by children.
  • If it is recognizable that the person is a man or woman, and he or she merely wears a single clothing of the opposite gender, there is room to be lenient.
• Shatnez: Many Purim costumes contain Biblically forbidden Shatnez and according to all may not be worn.

3. Al Hanissim:

• One is to recite Al Hanissim both by night and day.
• When: It is recited within Birchas Hamazon during the Birchas Haaretz and within Shemoneh Esrei by Birchas Modim.
• Forgot to recite in Shemoneh Esrei: If one did not recite Al Hanissim in Shemoneh Esrei he has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation and is not required to repeat the prayer.
  • If he remembered before reciting Hashem’s name in the blessing of “Hatov Shimcha” then he is to return and recite Al Hanissim. This applies even if he already said Baruch Ata but did not yet say Hashem’s name.
  • If, however, one has already recited Hashem’s name then he may not go back. In such a case there are opinions who say that if one has not yet concluded his prayer, he is to recite it prior to the last Yehyu Leratzon said prior to taking three steps back.
• Forgot to recite in Birchas Hamazon: If one did not recite Al Hanissim in Birchas Hamazon he has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation.
  • 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.
• Began eating a meal during the day of Erev Purim and ended the meal at night: If one began eating a meal during the day of Erev Purim and ended the meal at night, after Purim has begun, then if he ate a Kezayis of bread after nightfall he is to recite Al Hanissim in Birchas Hamazon.
• Began eating a meal during the day of Purim and ended the meal at night: If the Purim meal extended into the night of Motzei Purim one is to nevertheless recite Al Hanissim in his Bentching.
  • If one Davened Maariv prior to Bentching he no longer says Al Hanissim in Bentching.
• Shushan Purim: Al Hanissim is not recited on the 15^th which is Shushan Purim [in areas that celebrated on the 14^th].
  • Nevertheless, if one accidently recited it on the 15^th, he is not required to repeat the prayer.
• Jerusalem residents: The inhabitants of Jerusalem which celebrate Purim on the 15^th are to recite Al Hanissim only on the 15^th and not on the 14^th.
• Residents of doubtful cities: The inhabitants of a city which celebrates Purim on both the 14^th and 15^th due to doubt are to say Al Hanissim on both days.

4. Purim Night:

• Maariv on Purim night: In Maariv Shemoneh Esrei we add Al Hanissim.
  • We do not announce Al Hanissim prior to Shemoneh Esrei and rather, upon the Chazan reaching Al Hanissim, he is to recite the first words aloud.
• After the Amidah, a complete Kaddish with Tiskabel is recited.
• The Megillah reading is begun after Kaddish.
  • It is not our custom for the Baal Korei to wear a Tallis at night, although some are accustomed to do so.
• After the Megillah reading, Ata Kadosh is recited, followed by a complete Kaddish without Tiskabel.
• Eating prior to Megillah Reading: It is forbidden to eat prior to hearing the Megillah at night.
  • This applies even if it is difficult for one to continue fasting Taanis Esther until the end of the Megillah reading.
  • However, in a time of great need [such as one who feels very weak due to the fast or one who is sick] one may eat a small snack prior to hearing the Megillah.
  • The definition of a snack is up to 55 grams of bread or 55 grams worth of an alcoholic drink prior to hearing the Megillah.
• Purim festivities after Maariv and Megillah: Upon returning from Shul, one is to be greeted at home with a lit and set table.
  • One is to celebrate with a festive meal, in ones Shabbos clothing.
  • However, being this is not the main meal of Purim, one should save the more festive delicacies for the main meal the next day.
  • Many Poskim rule one is to eat the accustomed Zaronim [grains and legumes] specifically on the night of Purim, after the fast.
  • The Mitzvah of drinking wine on Purim is to be fulfilled during the day, by the Purim meal. However, some sources imply that one is to fulfill the Mitzvah of “Lebesumei” also by the night of Purim.
• Tachanun in Kerias Shema Sheal Hamita: Tachanun is omitted from Kerias Shema Sheal Hamita. This applies for both the nights of the 14^th and 15^th.
• Marital relations is permitted at night.

5. Purim day:

• Waking early: One is to wake up early on Purim morning to go to Shul.
• Asking Hashem for all one needs: It is stated in the name of the Baal Shem Tov that on Purim one is to awaken early and bequest Hashem with prayer and supplication on all matters that pertain to his life, family, and livelihood. This is similar to Yom Kippur which is a day of prayer and so too Purim is a day of auspiciousness for one’s prayer to be accepted.
• Eating prior to Shacharis: It is forbidden to eat [not drink] prior to hearing the Megillah day reading just like it is forbidden to eat prior to the night reading.
  • It is an act of piety to completely fast until after one hears the Megillah reading, just like it is an act of piety to fast prior to hearing the Shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah and shaking the Lulav on Sukkos.
  • In a time of great need [such as one who feels very weak or one who is sick] one may eat a small snack prior to hearing the Megillah.
  • The definition of a snack is up to 55 grams of bread or 55 grams worth of a drink prior to hearing the Megillah.
  • Nursing or pregnant women may eat a regular meal prior to the Megillah reading. This especially applies if she is waiting on her husband to come home in order to read the Megillah for her.
• Shacharis: Shacharis follows a normal weekday Davening until Shemoneh Esrei.
• In Shemoneh Esrei one adds al Hanissim in the Amidah.
• Tachanun is omitted.
• After the chazzan’s repetition of the Amidah, half Kaddish is recited followed by the Torah reading of the portion of Amaleik from Parshas Beshalach.
  • One reads first Zecher and then Zeicher in the Torah reading.
  • If one did not hear Parshas Zachor he should have in mind by the current reading to fulfill this Biblical Mitzvah.
• After the Torah reading, half Kaddish is recited which is followed by Hagba and Gelila.
• The Torah scroll remains held until after the Megillah reading and Ashrei/Uva Letziyon/Kaddish Tiskabel.
• Megillah reading: The Megillah is read immediately following the reading of the Torah and the recital of the half Kaddish.
  • One is not to remove his Tefillin until after Megillah reading. This applies even if one already finished Davening and is hearing the Megillah after Davening.
  • The Megillah is read while still wearing the Rashi Tefillin.
  • One who has not yet given Machatzis Hashekel is to do so prior to the Megillah reading.
  • Upon reciting the blessing of Shehechiyanu by the day reading it is proper to have in mind to include also the mitzvah of the festive meal and Mishloach Manos, and according to some also Matanos Laevyonim.
• After the Megillah reading the prayer proceeds with Ashrei, Uva Letziyon, complete Kaddish, Beis Yaakov, Shir Shel Yom etc.
• Mincha: Mincha is to be Davened early on Purim day.
• The Purim meal is eaten after Mincha.
• Beginning the review of the laws of Pesach: One is to begin reviewing the laws of Pesach on Purim, the 14^th of Adar.
• Working On Purim: The accepted custom is to refrain from working on Purim.
  • One who does work on Purim will not see blessing from that work.
  • The definition of work is any action which takes a lot of one’s attention.
  • Thus, those matters which can be done without much concentration are permitted to be done.
  • One may buy and sell on Purim being that this is considered a joyous activity.
  • All Mitzvah related activities may be done. Thus, one may write Halachic rulings.
  • One may do any action or work, even if it takes much of one’s attention, if it is needed to be done for Purim.
  • One may not cut his nails on Purim.
  • It is disputed whether one may cut his hair.
  • It is forbidden to do laundry on Purim.
  • It is permitted to do work on Purim in order to prevent a loss.