PURIM

Concepts of Purim

For the concise overview of the megillah story go to: www.aish.com/holidays/purim/60_second_megillah_overview.asp

The Month of Adar

The Talmud (Ta'anit 29a) tells us that "Just as from when the month of Av enters, we minimize our happiness, so too from when the month of Adar enters, we increase our happiness." In Adar, the nation of Israel was saved from annihilation. The evil Haman sought to destroy our entire nation solely because he hated one of us, Mordechai. Since the entire Jewish population in the world at that time lived only in the empire of Achashverosh the future of the Jewish people and Judaism was threatened. After Mordechai tells Esther that she must go to the king and plead for her people, Esther teaches us a timeless lesson. That there is no prayer and request like that of the community. With the Jewish people praying to him, united and together, Hashem gave us the miracle of Purim. Haman was killed, Mordechai was made the king's minister and the Jews were saved. There was celebration everywhere. A day of joy and happiness (The festival of Purim) was established forever more. It was a time of overwhelming happiness. We raised our commitment to Hashem and the Torah to new levels. It is for this spiritual redemption that we celebrate throughout the entire month of Adar.

The Fast of Esther is the day before Purim on the 13th of Adar. The fast is observed in memory of the Fast observed by Mordechai and Esther and all of Israel. It was on that same day that the enemies of the Jews had planned to destroy them. The fast is called by Esther's name because she was the one to request the observance of a fast to Mordechai as it says, "Go and gather all the Jews who are found in Shushan and fast over me, and do not eat and do not drink three days, night and day; and I and my maidens will also fast thus." (Esther 4:16). We fast on the 13th of Adar in memory of the day of the mobilization for war against our enemies, the supporters of Haman.

On the 13th of Adar during Mincha (before the Megillah reading) it is customary to give three halves of the coin which is the basis of the local currency. This money goes to the poor. The reason for the half-shekel is in memory of the half-shekel that was given when the Temple still stood and whose collection was announced on the first of Adar. In Israel, people generally use three 1/2 shekel coins while in America; people generally use three half-dollars. After performing the mitzvah, one gives the three half-shekels to the gabbaim so that others may also be able to observe the custom properly. What does one do for other members of the family, such as his wife and children? One gives the half-shekel for each of the members of the household including, in the case of a pregnant woman, for the unborn child. The reason we use three half-shekels is that the term terumah (contribution) is mentioned three times in the Torah portion of Ki-Tissa, in the account of the mitzvah of the half-shekel.

The Days of Purim

Purim can either fall on the 14th of Adar or the 15th of Adar, depending upon where you live. The reason for this is because the Jews of Shushan originally observed the festival on a different day than the Jews who lived elsewhere. In the other provinces the Jews waged war on the 13th and observed the 14th as a day of festivity and rejoicing. The Jews of Shushan waged war during the 13th and 14th of the month and observed the 15th as a day of festivity and rejoicing.

Therefore, Purim celebrated on the 14th of Adar is called Purim of the Open Cities while Purim on the 15th of Adar is called Purim of the Walled Cities. In our days, the only city that has the status of Shushan and therefore celebrates Purim on the 15th is Jerusalem. In a number of other places, the scroll of Esther is also read on the 15th of Adar because of a doubt. In those communities, the essential observance of Purim is fixed for the 14th of Adar (since this is when everyone reads the Megillah) and though the reading of the Megillah is repeated on the 15th, the bracha which precedes the Megillah reading is not recited.  

Mitzvot of Purim

Reading of the Megillah: Because Haman's decree threatened the entire Jewish people at the time, every Jewish person is responsible to rejoice and participate fully on Purim. Therefore both men and women are obligated in the mitzva to hear the Megillah read on the night and the day of Purim

Seudah: It is a mitzvah to have a sumptuous meal on Purim, including meat dishes and wine. This feast must be held during the day. Come on down to our Shul's seuda on Tuesday afternoon and enjoy a great communal simcha!

Matanot La'evyonim: One is required to give at least one gift to two poor people on Purim. Even a poor person who subsists on charity is required to perform this mitzvah. This obligation can be fulfilled through food although today we give money. The gift should be of sufficient amount to buy bread plus other foods for Purim. The gifts to the poor are given during the day, usually after the reading of the Megillah.

 
Mishloach Manot: One must give a gift that consists of two portions to another person. Men and women are included in this mitzvah. The food must consist of something edible or drinkable without further cooking or preparation. One may send meat, fish. cooked pastry, wine and other beverages. These gifts should be sent to as many people as one chooses but they should be sufficient to convey regard for the recipient. If at all possible, these gifts should be sent by messengers, rather than delivered personally because the Megillah uses the word mishloach (sending).