Editing Purim (section)

==Observances==
[[File:Gan-Shmuel (997008137081605171.jpg|thumb|alt=People dressed up for Purim. Gan Shmuel  Kibbutz, 1952|People dressed up for Purim. [[Gan Shmuel]] [[Kibbutz]], 1952]]
Purim has more of a national than a religious character, and its status as a holiday is on a different level from those days ordained holy by the [[Torah]]. Hallel is not recited.<ref>Flug, Joshua. [http://www.yutorah.org/togo/purim/articles/Purim_To-Go_-_5771_Rabbi_Flug.pdf Why Don't We Recite Hallel on Purim?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122125411/http://www.yutorah.org/togo/purim/articles/Purim_To-Go_-_5771_Rabbi_Flug.pdf |date=22 January 2018 }}</ref> As such, according to some authorities, business transactions and even manual labor are allowed on Purim under certain circumstances.<ref>Yehuda Shurpin, [https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/648695/jewish/Why-Is-Work-Permitted-on-Purim.htm Why Is Work Permitted on Purim?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220003147/https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/648695/jewish/Why-Is-Work-Permitted-on-Purim.htm |date=20 February 2019 }} Chabad.org</ref> A special prayer ({{transliteration|he|[[Al HaNissim|Al ha-Nissim]]}} – "For the Miracles") is inserted into the [[Amidah]] prayers during evening, morning and afternoon prayer services, and is also included in the {{transliteration|he|[[Birkat Hamazon]]}} ("Grace after Meals").

The four main [[Mitzvah|mitzvot]] (obligations) of the day are:<ref name="Archived copy">{{cite web |url=http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1362/jewish/Purim-How-To-Guide.htm |title=Purim How-To Guide – Your Purim 2019 guide contains the story of Purim, and all you need to know about the 4 mitzvahs of Purim and the other observances of the day |access-date=21 February 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815064525/http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1362/jewish/Purim-How-To-Guide.htm |archive-date=15 August 2017 }}</ref>
# Listening to the public reading, usually in synagogue, of the [[Book of Esther]] in the evening and again in the following morning ({{transliteration|he|k'riat megillah}}).
# Sending food gifts to friends ({{transliteration|he|[[mishloach manot]]}}).
# Giving [[Tzedakah|charity]] to the poor ({{transliteration|he|matanot la'evyonim}}).
# Eating a festive meal ({{transliteration|he|[[Seudat mitzvah#Seudat Purim|se'udat mitzvah]]}}).

The three latter obligations apply only during the daytime hours of Purim.<ref name="Archived copy"/>
===Reading of the Megillah===
[[File:Jerusalem Purim street scene.jpg|thumb|Children during Purim in the streets of [[Jerusalem]] (2006)]]
[[File:Purim Street Party in Tel aviv (16141244204).jpg|thumb|Purim Street Party in [[Tel Aviv]] (2015)]]
The first religious ceremony which is ordained for the celebration of Purim is the reading of the Book of Esther (the "Megillah") in the synagogue, a regulation which is ascribed in the Talmud (Megillah 2a) to the Sages of the [[Great Assembly]], of which [[Mordecai]] is reported to have been a member. Originally this regulation was only supposed to be observed on the 14th of Adar; later, however, Rabbi [[Joshua ben Levi]] (3rd century CE) prescribed that the Megillah should also be read on the eve of Purim. Further, he obliged women to attend the reading of the Megillah, because women were also part of the miracle. The commentaries offer two reasons as to why women played a major role in the miracle. The first reason is that it was through a lady, Queen [[Esther]], that the miraculous deliverance of the Jews was accomplished ([[Rashbam]]). The second reason is that women were also threatened by the genocidal decree and were therefore equal beneficiaries of the miracle ([[Tosafot]]).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Pesachim.108b?lang=bi |title=Pesachim 108b |access-date=24 March 2024 |archive-date=24 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324054630/https://www.sefaria.org/Pesachim.108b?lang=bi |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Talmud prescribed three benedictions before the reading and one benediction after the reading. The Talmud added other provisions. For example, the reader is to pronounce the names of the ten sons of [[Haman (Bible)|Haman]]<ref>{{Bibleverse|Esther|9:7–10|HE}}</ref> in one breath, to indicate their simultaneous death. An additional custom that probably began in medieval times is that the congregation recites aloud with the reader the verses Esther 2:5, Esther 8:15–16, and Esther 10:3, which relate the origin of Mordecai and his triumph.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://schechter.edu/reciting-verses-aloud-in-honor-of-esther-during-the-megillah-reading-responsa-in-a-moment-volume-2-issue-no-6-march-2008-orah-hayyim-69017/ |title=Reciting Verses Aloud in Honor of Esther During the Megillah Reading Responsa in a Moment: Volume 2, Issue No. 6, March 2008 Orah Hayyim 690:17 |date=11 March 2008 |access-date=24 March 2024 |archive-date=24 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324055130/https://schechter.edu/reciting-verses-aloud-in-honor-of-esther-during-the-megillah-reading-responsa-in-a-moment-volume-2-issue-no-6-march-2008-orah-hayyim-69017/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Megillah is read with a [[Hebrew cantillation|cantillation]] (a traditional chant) which is different from that which is used in the customary reading of the Torah. Besides the traditional cantillation, there are several verses or short phrases in the Megillah that are chanted in a different chant, the chant that is traditionally used during the reading of the [[book of Lamentations]]. These verses are particularly sad, or they refer to Jews being in exile. When the Megillah reader jumps to the melody of the book of Lamentations for these phrases, it heightens the feeling of sadness in the listener.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://rabbibenherman.com/2018/03/06/megilla-magic-unique-motifs-in-the-book-of-esther/ |title=Megilla Magic: Unique Motifs in the Book of Esther |date=6 March 2018 |access-date=24 March 2024 |archive-date=24 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324054630/https://rabbibenherman.com/2018/03/06/megilla-magic-unique-motifs-in-the-book-of-esther/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In some communities, the Megillah is not chanted, but is read like a letter, because of the name {{transliteration|he|iggeret}} ("epistle"), which is applied<ref>{{Bibleverse|Esther|9:26, 29|HE}}</ref> to the Book of Esther. It has been also customary since the time of the early medieval era of the [[Geonim]] to unroll the whole Megillah before reading it, to give it the appearance of an epistle. According to [[halakha]] (Jewish law), the Megillah may be read in any language intelligible to the audience.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Megillah.17a.9?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en |title=Megillah 17a |access-date=24 March 2024 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404231047/https://www.sefaria.org/Megillah.17a.9?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to the Mishnah ([[Megillah (Talmud)|Megillah]] [https://www.sefaria.org/Megillah.30b.10?lang=bi 30b]), the story of the attack on the Jews by [[Amalek]],<ref>{{Bibleverse|Exodus|17:8–16|HE}}</ref> the progenitor of Haman, is also to be read.

====Blessings before Megillah reading====
Before the reading of the Megillah on Purim, both at night and again in the morning, the reader of the Megillah recites the following three blessings and at the end of each blessing the congregation then responds by answering "Amen" after each of the blessings.<ref name="The Torah">{{cite book|last=Scherman|first=Nosson|title=The Torah: Haftoras and Five Megillos|date=July 1993|publisher=Mesorah Publications, Ltd|location=Brooklyn, New York|isbn=978-0-89906-014-9|pages=1252, 1262}}</ref> At the morning reading of the Megillah the congregation should have in mind that the third blessing applies to the other observances of the day as well as to the reading of the Megillah:<ref name="The Torah" />

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Hebrew!!English
|-
|<div style="text-align:right">{{lang|he|ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על מקרא מגלה|rtl=yes}}</div>
|Blessed are You, My {{LORD}}, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us regarding the reading of the Megillah.
|-
|<div style="text-align:right">{{lang|he|ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם שעשה נסים לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה|rtl=yes}}</div>
|Blessed are You, My {{LORD}}, our God, King of the universe, Who has wrought miracles for our forefathers, in those days at this season.
|-
|<div style="text-align:right">{{lang|he|ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה|rtl=yes}}</div>
|Blessed are You, My {{LORD}}, our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this season.
|-
|}

====Blessing and recitations after Megillah reading====
After the Megillah reading, each member of the congregation who has heard the reading recites the following blessing.<ref name="The Torah" /> This blessing is not recited unless a {{transliteration|he|[[minyan]]}} was present for the Megillah reading:<ref name="The Torah" />

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Hebrew!!English
|-
|<div style="text-align:right">{{lang|he|ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם האל הרב את ריבנו והדן את דיננו והנוקם את נקמתינו והמשלם גמול לכל איבי נפשנו והנפרע לנו מצרינו ברוך אתה יי הנפרע לעמו ישראל מכל צריהם האל המושיע|rtl=yes}}</div>
|Blessed are You, My {{LORD}}, our God, King of the Universe, (the God) Who takes up our grievance, judges our claim, avenges our wrong; Who brings just retribution upon all enemies of our soul and exacts vengeance for us from our foes. Blessed are You My {{LORD}}, Who exacts vengeance for His people Israel from all their foes, the God Who brings salvation.
|-
|}

After the nighttime Megillah reading the following two paragraphs are recited:<ref name="The Torah" />

The first one is an acrostic poem that starts with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, starting with "Who balked ({{lang|he|... אשר הניא}}) the counsel of the nations and annulled the counsel of the cunning. When a wicked man stood up against us ({{lang|he|... בקום עלינו}}), a wantonly evil branch of Amalek's offspring ..." and ending with "The rose of Jacob ({{lang|he|ששנת יעקב}}) was cheerful and glad, when they jointly saw Mordechai robed in royal blue. You have been their eternal salvation ({{lang|he|תשועתם הייתה לנצח}}), and their hope throughout generations."

The second is recited at night, but after the morning Megillah reading only this is recited:

<blockquote>The rose of Jacob was cheerful and glad, when they jointly saw Mordechai robed in royal blue. You have been their eternal salvation, and their hope throughout generations.</blockquote>

At night and in the morning:

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Hebrew!!English
|-
|<div style="text-align:right">{{lang|he|שושנת יעקב צהלה ושמחה בראותם יחד תכלת מרדכי. תשועתם היית לנצח ותקותם בכל דור ודור. להודיע שכל קויך לא יבשו ולא יכלמו לנצח כל החוסים בך. ארור המן אשר בקש לאבדי ברוך מרדכי היהודי. ארורה זרש אשת מפחידי ברוכה אסתר בעדי וגם חרבונה זכור לטוב}}</div>
|To make known that all who hope in You will not be shamed ({{lang|he|להודיע שכל קויך לא יבשו}}); nor ever be humiliated, those taking refuge in You. Accursed be Haman who sought to destroy me, blessed be Mordechai the Yehudi. Accursed be Zeresh the wife of my terrorizer, blessed be Esther who sacrificed for me—and Charvonah, too, be remembered for good ({{lang|he|וגם חרבונה זכור לטוב}}) [for suggesting to the King that Haman be hanged on the gallows.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Esther|7:9|HE}}</ref>]
|-
|}

====Women and Megillah reading====
[[File:Megillat Esther (1).jpg|thumb|Megillat Esther with Torah pointer]]
Women have an obligation to hear the Megillah because "they also were involved in that miracle."<ref>Babylonian Talmud Megillah 4a</ref> Orthodox communities, including most Modern Orthodox ones, however, generally do not allow women to lead the Megillah reading. Rabbinic authorities who hold that women should not read the Megillah for themselves, because of an uncertainty as to which blessing they should recite upon the reading, nonetheless agree that they have an obligation to hear it read. According to these authorities if women, or men for that matter, cannot attend the services in the synagogue, the Megillah should be read for them in private by any male over the age of thirteen.<ref>Chaim Rapoport, [http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/3268526/ Can Women Read the Megillah? An in-depth exploration of how the mitzvah of Megillah applies to women].</ref> Often in Orthodox communities there is a special public reading only for women, conducted either in a private home or in a synagogue, but the Megillah is read by a man.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nishmat.net/Uploads/files/R_Henkin_Women_Megilla_Reading.pdf|title=Women's Issues : Women and Megillah Reading|author=Rabbi Yehuda Henkin|website=Nishmat.net|access-date=5 March 2022}}</ref>

Some Modern Orthodox leaders have held that women can serve as public Megillah readers. Women's megillah readings have become increasingly common in more liberal [[Modern Orthodox Judaism]], though women may only read for other women, according to Ashkenazi authorities.<ref>[[Aryeh Frimer|Frimer, Aryeh A.]] "[https://www.daat.ac.il/daat/english/tfila/frimer2.htm Women's Megilla Reading] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321121753/https://www.daat.ac.il/daat/english/tfila/frimer2.htm |date=2008-03-21 }}" published in Wiskind Elper, Ora, ed. ''Traditions and Celebrations for the Bat Mitzvah'' (Jerusalem: Urim Publications, 2003), pp. 281–304.</ref>

====Blotting out Haman's name{{anchor|grager}}====
{{main|Grager}}
[[File:Purim gragger.jpg|thumb|A wooden Purim gragger ({{transliteration|he|Ra'ashan}})]]
When Haman's name is read out loud during the public chanting of the Megillah in the synagogue, which occurs 54 times, the congregation engages in noise-making to blot out his name. The practice can be traced back to the [[Tosafists]] (the leading French and German rabbis of the 13th century). In accordance with a passage in the [[Midrash]], where the verse "Thou shalt blot out the remembrance of [[Amalek]]"<ref>{{Bibleverse|Deuteronomy|25:19|HE}}</ref> is explained to mean "even from wood and stones." A custom developed of writing the name of Haman, the offspring of Amalek, on two smooth stones, and knocking them together until the name was blotted out. Some wrote the name of Haman on the soles of their shoes, and at the mention of the name stamped with their feet as a sign of contempt. Another method was to use a noisy [[Ratchet (instrument)|ratchet]], called a {{transliteration|he|ra'ashan}} (from the Hebrew {{transliteration|he|ra-ash}}, meaning "noise") and in [[Yiddish language|Yiddish]] a {{transliteration|yi|grager}}. Some of the rabbis protested against these uproarious excesses, considering them a disturbance of public worship, but the custom of using a ratchet in the synagogue on Purim is now almost universal, with the exception of [[Spanish and Portuguese Jews]] and other Sephardic Jews, who consider them an improper interruption of the reading.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.isaacsacca.com/noticias/comunicado-la-actitud-los-festejos-purim/|title = Comunicado sobre la actitud en los festejos de Purim|date = 22 February 2018|access-date = 9 March 2022|archive-date = 22 February 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230222015837/https://www.isaacsacca.com/noticias/comunicado-la-actitud-los-festejos-purim/|url-status = live}}</ref> The great Ashkenazi halachic authority, Rabbi [[Moses Isserles|Moshe Isserles]], affirmed and validated this custom in his notes on the [[Shulchan Aruch]]:<blockquote>It is also written that the young children are accustomed to draw pictures of Haman on trees or stones or to write the name of Haman on themselves and to strike one against the other in order to blot out his name according to "The name of Amalek shall surely be erased" (Devarim 25:19) and "But the fame of the wicked rots". (Proverbs 10:7). From this is derived the custom that we strike Haman wen we read the Megillah in the synagogue. We must not nullify any custom nor should we ridicule [any custom] because it was not for nothing that it was determined.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 690:17 |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Orach_Chayim.690.17?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=www.sefaria.org}}</ref></blockquote>

===Food gifts and charity===
{{main|Mishloach manot}}
[[File:2 Mishloach Manot.jpg|right|thumb|Gaily wrapped baskets of sweets, snacks and other foodstuffs given as {{transliteration|he|mishloach manot}} on Purim day]]
The Book of Esther prescribes "the sending of portions one man to another, and gifts to the poor".<ref>{{Bibleverse|Esther|9:22|HE}}</ref> According to [[halakha]], each adult must give at least two different foods to one person, and at least two charitable donations to two poor people.<ref name="Barclay">Barclay, Rabbi Elozor and Jaeger, Rabbi Yitzchok (2001). ''Guidelines: Over two hundred and fifty of the most commonly asked questions about Purim''. Southfield, MI: Targum Press.</ref> The food parcels are called {{transliteration|he|[[mishloach manot]]}} ("sending of portions"), and in some circles the custom has evolved into a major gift-giving event.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What is Purim? A Time For Joy and Giving|date=2 March 2017|url=https://blog.giftbasketsoverseas.com/blogs/purim-time-joy-giving#:~:text=The%20most%20popular%20gifts%20during,la%2Devyonim%E2%80%9D%20in%20Hebrew.|access-date=21 March 2023|archive-date=10 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710164339/https://blog.giftbasketsoverseas.com/blogs/purim-time-joy-giving#:~:text=The%20most%20popular%20gifts%20during,la%2Devyonim%E2%80%9D%20in%20Hebrew.|url-status=live}}{{Retrieved|access-date=2023-03-21}}</ref>

To fulfill the mitzvah of giving charity to two poor people, one can give either food or money equivalent to the amount of food that is eaten at a regular meal. It is better to spend more on charity than on the giving of {{transliteration|he|mishloach manot}}.<ref name="Barclay" /> In the synagogue, regular collections of charity are made on the festival and the money is distributed among the needy. No distinction is made among the poor; anyone who is willing to accept charity is allowed to participate. It is obligatory for the poorest Jew, even one who is himself dependent on charity, to give to other poor people.<ref name="Barclay" /><ref>Maya Balakirsky Katz, ''Gifts of Food, Gifts of Identity: The Ritual Significance of Purim Baskets'', Journal Jewish Social Studies</ref>

===Purim meal {{transliteration|he|(se'udah)}} and festive drinking===
{{Main|Seudat mitzvah#Seudat Purim}}
[[File:PikiWiki Israel 28013 Purim at Bnei Brak.jpg|thumb|Orthodox Jewish men drinking at a Purim [[Tish (Hasidic celebration)|tish]] in [[Bnei Brak]] (2012)]]

On Purim day, a festive meal called the {{transliteration|he|Se'udat Purim}} is held.

There is a longstanding custom of drinking wine at the feast. The Talmud (b. [[Megillah (Talmud)|Megillah]] 7b) records that "[[Rava (amora)|Rava]] said: A person is obligated to become intoxicated on Purim, until they cannot distinguish between 'Blessed be Mordecai' and 'Cursed be Haman'". Several interpretations arose among the [[Rishonim|late medieval authorities]], although in general the classical sources are unanimous in rejecting intoxicated excess; only beginning with the [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic masters]] was drunkenness occasionally endorsed.<ref>[https://chabadinfo.com/crown_heights/rabbonim-pen-strong-letter-on-excessive-purim-drinking/ “Rabbonim Pen Strong Letter on Excessive Purim Drinking - 8th Adar, 5783 - 2023“ (chabadinfo.com Official Chabad Lubavitch)]</ref> [[Maimonides]] writes that one must "drink wine until drunk, and pass out from drink"; according to one view, he is interpreting the Talmud this way (a sleeping person cannot distinguish), but according to another, he is intentionally contradicting it. [[Joseph Karo]] writes that one must "never become drunk, as this is totally forbidden and leads to terrible sins. Rather, one must drink slightly more than usual", while [[Moses Isserles]] writes that one may drink more or less, so long as the intent is pure. [[Yechiel Michel Epstein]] suggests that "until" should be read exclusively, so that one is obligated to become drunk but not so drunk that they cannot distinguish Mordecai and Haman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 695:3 |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Arukh_HaShulchan,_Orach_Chaim.695.3 |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=www.sefaria.org |archive-date=10 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710164413/https://www.sefaria.org/Arukh_HaShulchan,_Orach_Chaim.695.3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Fasts===
{{Main|Fast of Esther}}
The [[Fast of Esther]], observed before Purim, on the 13th of Adar, is an original part of the Purim celebration, referred to in [[Esther 9]]:31–32. The first who mentions the Fast of Esther is [[Ahai of Shabha|Aḥai of Shabḥa]] (8th century CE) in ''[[She'iltot]]'' 4; the reason there given for its institution is based on an interpretation of [[Esther 9:18]], Esther 9:31 and [[Megillah (Talmud)|Talmud Megillah]] 2a: "The 13th was the time of gathering", which gathering is explained to have had also the purpose of public prayer and fasting. Some, however, used to fast three days in commemoration of the fasting of Esther; but as fasting was prohibited during the month of Nisan, the first and second Mondays and the Thursday following Purim were chosen. The fast of the 13th is still commonly observed; but when that date falls on [[Shabbat]], the fast is pushed back to the preceding Thursday, Friday being needed to prepare for Sabbath and the following Purim festival.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jewish Holidays: The Fast of Esther |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-fast-of-esther |website=Jewish Virtual Library |access-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-date=9 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209144507/https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-fast-of-esther |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Simmons |first1=Rabbi Shraga |title=Fast of Esther |url=https://aish.com/48971661/ |website=Aish |date=9 May 2009 |access-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224005920/https://aish.com/48971661/ |url-status=live }}</ref>