https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/holidays-rabbinic-festivals-purim.xml/articles/holidays-rabbinic-festivals-purimxmlarticlePurimThe festival of Esther — the joyful deliverance of Persian Jewry, observed with the Megillah, gifts to the poor, mishloach manot, and the seudat Purim.The New Jew/index.xmlSacred Time/sections/sacred-time.xmlPurim/articles/holidays-rabbinic-festivals-purim.xml
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holidays-rabbinic-festivals-purimPurimThe festival of Esther — the joyful deliverance of Persian Jewry, observed with the Megillah, gifts to the poor, mishloach manot, and the seudat Purim.Summary. Purim, the 14th of Adar (the 15th in walled cities such as Jerusalem — "Shushan Purim"), commemorates the deliverance of Persian Jewry from Haman's genocidal plot, as recounted in Megillat Esther. The four mitzvot of Purim are: hearing the Megillah read twice (night and morning); mishloach manot (sending gift baskets to friends); matanot l'evyonim (gifts to the poor); and the seudat Purim (the festive meal). The day is one of the most joyful in the Jewish calendar; costumes, alcohol, and theatrical play characterize the celebration.essentialholidayspurimesthermegillah2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z6343sacred-timeSacred Timesummary
Summary. [Purim](/glossary.xml#letter-P), the 14th of [Adar](/glossary.xml#letter-A) (the 15th in walled cities such as Jerusalem — "[Shushan Purim](/glossary.xml#letter-S)"), commemorates the deliverance of Persian Jewry from Haman's genocidal plot, as recounted in [Megillat Esther](https://www.sefaria.org/Esther). The four [mitzvot](/glossary.xml#letter-M) of Purim are: hearing the [Megillah](/glossary.xml#letter-M) read twice (night and morning); [mishloach manot](/glossary.xml#letter-M) (sending gift baskets to friends); [matanot l'evyonim](/glossary.xml#letter-M) (gifts to the poor); and the [seudat Purim](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (the festive meal). The day is one of the most joyful in the Jewish calendar; costumes, alcohol, and theatrical play characterize the celebration.
Summary. Purim, the 14th of Adar (the 15th in walled cities such as Jerusalem — "Shushan Purim"), commemorates the deliverance of Persian Jewry from Haman's genocidal plot, as recounted in Megillat Esther. The four mitzvot of Purim are: hearing the Megillah read twice (night and morning); mishloach manot (sending gift baskets to friends); matanot l'evyonim (gifts to the poor); and the seudat Purim (the festive meal). The day is one of the most joyful in the Jewish calendar; costumes, alcohol, and theatrical play characterize the celebration.heading
The Megillah
The Megillahparagraph
[Megillat Esther](/glossary.xml#letter-M) is read twice — on the evening of Purim and on the morning. The reading is from a [kosher](/glossary.xml#letter-K) [klaf](/glossary.xml#letter-K) (parchment scroll, hand-written by a [sofer](/glossary.xml#letter-S)). The mitzvah is to hear every word; the congregation makes noise (with [groggers](/glossary.xml#letter-G), by stamping feet, by booing) at every mention of Haman's name to blot out his memory ([zecher Amalek](/glossary.xml#letter-Z)). A competent reader is essential. The Megillah's chanting tradition is distinctive — joyful, with several special verses chanted in the mournful [Eichah](/glossary.xml#letter-E) [trope](/glossary.xml#letter-T) for dramatic contrast.
Megillat Esther is read twice — on the evening of Purim and on the morning. The reading is from a kosher klaf (parchment scroll, hand-written by a sofer). The mitzvah is to hear every word; the congregation makes noise (with groggers, by stamping feet, by booing) at every mention of Haman's name to blot out his memory (zecher Amalek). A competent reader is essential. The Megillah's chanting tradition is distinctive — joyful, with several special verses chanted in the mournful Eichah trope for dramatic contrast.heading
Mishloach Manot
Mishloach Manotparagraph
The [Megillah](/glossary.xml#letter-M) ([Esther 9:22](https://www.sefaria.org/Esther.9.22)) describes the sending of "portions one to another" on Purim, and the sages established this as one of the four rabbinic [mitzvot](/glossary.xml#letter-M) of the day. The minimum obligation: send two food items to at least one friend. Many people send to dozens — small baskets of pastries, candy, fruit, or savories. The contemporary mishloach manot economy in [Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-O) communities is significant; Purim morning is spent delivering them. [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R) and Conservative practice has substantially recovered the custom.
The Megillah (Esther 9:22) describes the sending of "portions one to another" on Purim, and the sages established this as one of the four rabbinic mitzvot of the day. The minimum obligation: send two food items to at least one friend. Many people send to dozens — small baskets of pastries, candy, fruit, or savories. The contemporary mishloach manot economy in Orthodox communities is significant; Purim morning is spent delivering them. Reform and Conservative practice has substantially recovered the custom.heading
Matanot L'Evyonim
Matanot L'Evyonimparagraph
Gifts to the poor — the minimum is two presents (typically money) to two different needy persons. The mitzvah is to ensure that the destitute can also have a festive Purim meal. [The Rambam (Hilchot Megillah 2:17)](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Scroll_of_Esther_and_Hanukkah.2.17) writes that this mitzvah is paramount: "There is no greater or more glorious joy than to gladden the hearts of the poor, the orphan, the widow, and the convert." Many give to a Purim collection at [shul](/glossary.xml#letter-S); many give directly through [Chabad](/glossary.xml#letter-C), the OU, or a local [tzedakah](/glossary.xml#letter-T) organization.
Gifts to the poor — the minimum is two presents (typically money) to two different needy persons. The mitzvah is to ensure that the destitute can also have a festive Purim meal. The Rambam (Hilchot Megillah 2:17) writes that this mitzvah is paramount: "There is no greater or more glorious joy than to gladden the hearts of the poor, the orphan, the widow, and the convert." Many give to a Purim collection at shul; many give directly through Chabad, the OU, or a local tzedakah organization.heading
The Seudat Purim
The Seudat Purimparagraph
The festive meal is held in the afternoon of Purim. The atmosphere is bawdy and theatrical; [the Talmud (Megillah 7b)](https://www.sefaria.org/Megillah.7b) famously rules that one is obligated to drink on Purim until one cannot distinguish between "cursed is Haman" and "blessed is Mordechai" — a saying interpreted variously over the centuries (most contemporary Orthodox authorities counsel moderate drinking and not actual drunkenness). Purim [shpiels](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (theatrical performances mocking the Megillah, the shul leadership, current events) are a traditional part of the afternoon. Many communities hold a Purim [seudah](/glossary.xml#letter-S) at the shul.
The festive meal is held in the afternoon of Purim. The atmosphere is bawdy and theatrical; the Talmud (Megillah 7b) famously rules that one is obligated to drink on Purim until one cannot distinguish between "cursed is Haman" and "blessed is Mordechai" — a saying interpreted variously over the centuries (most contemporary Orthodox authorities counsel moderate drinking and not actual drunkenness). Purim shpiels (theatrical performances mocking the Megillah, the shul leadership, current events) are a traditional part of the afternoon. Many communities hold a Purim seudah at the shul.heading
Fast of Esther
Fast of Estherparagraph
The 13th of Adar (the day before Purim) is the [Fast of Esther](/glossary.xml#letter-T), a daylight fast commemorating Esther's fast before approaching the king ([Esther 4:16](https://www.sefaria.org/Esther.4.16)). The fast precedes the joy. Where Purim falls on Sunday, the fast is moved to the previous Thursday (the 11th of Adar).
The 13th of Adar (the day before Purim) is the Fast of Esther, a daylight fast commemorating Esther's fast before approaching the king (Esther 4:16). The fast precedes the joy. Where Purim falls on Sunday, the fast is moved to the previous Thursday (the 11th of Adar).heading
Where Denominations Diverge
Where Denominations Divergeparagraph
Universal observance. Reform observance has substantially recovered Purim as a major community day. Megillah reading from a kosher klaf is universal in Orthodox; many Reform and Conservative congregations use a kosher klaf as well, though some Reform read from a printed text. The [Purim shpiel](/glossary.xml#letter-P) is universal. The alcohol custom is most active in Orthodox communities. Egalitarian observance allows women to read the Megillah for the congregation; Orthodox practice in most communities reserves it for men.
Universal observance. Reform observance has substantially recovered Purim as a major community day. Megillah reading from a kosher klaf is universal in Orthodox; many Reform and Conservative congregations use a kosher klaf as well, though some Reform read from a printed text. The Purim shpiel is universal. The alcohol custom is most active in Orthodox communities. Egalitarian observance allows women to read the Megillah for the congregation; Orthodox practice in most communities reserves it for men.heading
Sources
Sourcesparagraph
Megillat Esther.
Megillat Esther.paragraph
[Mishnah and Talmud Bavli, Megillah](https://www.sefaria.org/Megillah).
Mishnah and Talmud Bavli, Megillah.paragraph
[Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Megillah](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Scroll_of_Esther_and_Hanukkah).
Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Megillah.paragraph
[Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 686–697](https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Orach_Chayim.686-697).
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 686–697.paragraph
[Purim and its Mitzvot](https://www.ou.org/holidays/purim_mitzvot/) — OU.
Purim and its Mitzvot — OU.paragraph
[Shushan Purim](https://aish.com/48971026/) — Aish.
Shushan Purim — Aish.paragraph
[Fast of Esther - What, Why and How](https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/644314/jewish/Fast-of-Esther.htm) — Chabad.org.
Fast of Esther - What, Why and How — Chabad.org.paragraph
[Mishloach Manot: Sending Food Gifts on Purim](https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1498/jewish/Mishloach-Manot-Sending-Food-Gifts-on-Purim.htm) — Chabad.org.
Mishloach Manot: Sending Food Gifts on Purim — Chabad.org.heading
Further Reading
Further Readingparagraph
[Yitz Greenberg](/glossary.xml#letter-R), The Jewish Way — Purim chapter.
Yitz Greenberg, The Jewish Way — Purim chapter.paragraph
Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg, Bewilderments — Purim chapters.
Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg, Bewilderments — Purim chapters.paragraph
Adele Berlin, Esther (JPS Bible Commentary).
Adele Berlin, Esther (JPS Bible Commentary).holidays-yamim-noraim-rosh-hashanahRosh Hashanah/articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-rosh-hashanah.xmlholidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippurYom Kippur/articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippur.xmlholidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkotSukkot/articles/holidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkot.xmlholidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torahShemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah/articles/holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah.xmlcalendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-dayDaf Yomi: A Page a Daydeeper/articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.xmlholidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fastsThe Four Minor Fastsdeeper/articles/holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts.xmlAdarאֲדָרThe twelfth month of the Jewish year, falling in late winter, in which Purim is celebrated. The Talmud teaches that when Adar arrives, joy increases.Chabadחב״דChabad-Lubavitch is a Hasidic movement, historically headquartered in the Russian town of Lubavitch, known today for its worldwide network of Chabad Houses that offer hospitality, classes, and holiday services to Jews of every background, often in places with no other organized Jewish community.community-finding-a-shulEichahאֵיכָהThe book of Lamentations — the Bible's poetry of grief over Jerusalem's destruction, chanted by candlelight on Tisha B'Av. Its name is its first word: 'How…'Megillat Estherמְגִלַּת אֶסְתֵּרThe scroll of Esther — the biblical book read aloud on Purim night and morning, telling of the deliverance of Persia's Jews from Haman's plot.going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillotOrthodox JudaismOrthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations.how-to-use-this-field-guidePurimפּוּרִיםThe joyous festival celebrating the rescue of Persian Jewry recounted in the book of Esther, observed with the Megillah reading, gifts of food, gifts to the poor, and a festive meal.holidays-rabbinic-festivals-purimPurim ShpielA comic theatrical performance staged on Purim afternoon, traditionally mocking the Megillah's story, the local shul leadership, or current events -- the holiday's tradition of sanctioned, joyful irreverence.holidays-rabbinic-festivals-purimRabbi Yitz GreenbergRabbi Irving 'Yitz' Greenberg (b. 1933), a Modern Orthodox rabbi and Holocaust theologian known for the principle that no Jewish theological statement should be made that would not be credible in the presence of burning children; author of The Jewish Way.holidays-modern-observances-yom-hashoahReform JudaismReform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis.how-to-use-this-field-guideShushan Purimשושן פוריםThe day after Purim (15 Adar), when the holiday is celebrated in cities that were walled in the days of Joshua — most famously Jerusalem — recalling the extra day the Jews of Shushan fought.holidays-rabbinic-festivals-purimTa'anit Estherתענית אסתרThe Fast of Esther, observed from dawn to nightfall on the day before Purim, recalling the fasting of Esther and the Jews of Persia before she approached the king.holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fastsgroggerגראַגערThe Purim noisemaker (a Yiddish word) twirled to drown out every mention of Haman's name during the Megillah reading.klafקְלָףParchment prepared from animal hide to exacting standards, on which a scribe writes Torah scrolls, tefillin, mezuzot, and megillot.kosherכָּשֵׁרFit or proper according to Jewish law — said mostly of food, but equally of a Torah scroll, a sukkah, or anything else that meets halachic requirements.essentials-essential-facts-kashrut-the-basicsmatanot l'evyonimמַתָּנוֹת לָאֶבְיוֹנִים"Gifts to the poor" — one of the four mitzvot of Purim: giving to at least two people in need on the day itself.megillahמְגִלָּהA scroll — most famously the Megillah, the scroll of Esther read aloud on Purim; the Five Megillot are the biblical scrolls read across the holiday cycle.going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillotmishloach manotמִשְׁלוֹחַ מָנוֹתThe Purim practice of sending gifts of ready-to-eat food to friends — one of the four mitzvot of the day.holidays-rabbinic-festivals-purimmitzvahמִצְוָהA commandment — one of the Torah's 613 divine instructions, and by extension any religious duty or good deed. The plural is mitzvot.essentials-essential-facts-the-613-mitzvotseudahסְעוּדָהA festive meal — especially one of the three meals of Shabbat or the celebratory meal of a holiday or life-cycle event.seudat Purimסְעוּדַת פּוּרִיםThe festive Purim meal held on the afternoon of the holiday — one of Purim's four mitzvot.holidays-rabbinic-festivals-purimshpielשפילA comic play or skit (Yiddish), especially the Purim shpiel — the irreverent theatrical performance that has been part of Purim celebrations for centuries.shulשולThe Yiddish word for synagogue, used warmly across the Jewish world for the house of prayer, study, and community.community-finding-a-shulsoferסופרA scribe trained to write Torah scrolls, tefillin, mezuzot, and megillot by hand on parchment, following exacting halachic rules.te'amimטעמיםThe cantillation marks (called 'trope' in Yiddish-derived usage) printed with the text of the Tanakh, indicating both the melody for chanting each word and the verse's phrasing.hebrew-cantillation-teamim-tropetzedakahצדקהCharitable giving — from the root tzedek, 'justice': in Jewish thought, giving to those in need is not optional generosity but an obligation of justice.zecher Amalekזכר עמלק'The memory of Amalek' — the Torah's command to remember, and blot out, the memory of the nation that attacked Israel's weakest in the wilderness; it is recalled on the Shabbat before Purim, since Haman is counted among Amalek's line.parentSacred Time/sections/sacred-time.xmlrelatedRosh Hashanah/articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-rosh-hashanah.xmlrelatedYom Kippur/articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippur.xmlrelatedSukkot/articles/holidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkot.xmlrelatedShemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah/articles/holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah.xmlrelatedDaf Yomi: A Page a Day/articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.xmlrelatedThe Four Minor Fasts/articles/holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts.xml