Purim, which in 2026 falls on March 3-4, is a holiday celebrating the salvation of the Jews from their enemies in the days of the Persian king Achashverosh (Artaxerxes), the holiday of deliverance from the wicked Haman, who plotted to destroy the entire Jewish people.
The Story of the Holiday
In the year 355 BCE, Haman – the prime minister in the court of Achashverosh – persuaded the king to issue a decree calling for the complete annihilation of all Jews in the empire. Through the efforts of the Jewish spiritual leader Mordechai and his niece Esther, who kept her origins secret and became the king’s wife, Haman’s plans were foiled, and he himself was killed together with the other enemies of the Jews. The day that had been designated for the destruction of the Jews became a day of victory over their enemies and is celebrated as a most joyous holiday.
The Fast of Esther
The 13th of Adar (March 2, 2026), the day before Purim, is the Fast of Esther, commemorating the fast declared by Mordechai and Esther when King Achashverosh issued his decree. Like all fasts, the Fast of Esther is intended for us to examine our lives and repent for our misdeeds. For the Scroll of Esther tells us not only about the joy of the Jews at their unexpected salvation, but also about their fear and sorrow at a time of great danger. Since it is impossible to combine two opposite moods in one day, our Sages effectively divided Purim into two parts – the fourteenth of Adar, a day of merriment and feasting, and the thirteenth, a day of fasting and prayer.
The Days of Purim
The 14th and 15th of Adar are the two days of Purim. The Scroll of Esther states: “The Jews in Shushan made the fifteenth day a day of celebration. But the Jews of the villages established the fourteenth of Adar as a holiday.” In our times, “Shushan Purim,” i.e., the 15th of Adar, is celebrated, besides Shushan, in the most ancient cities of the Land of Israel (including Jerusalem); elsewhere, Purim is celebrated only on the 14th of Adar (March 3, 2026).
Celebrating Purim
The four primary mitzvos of Purim are:
Reading the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther).
Feasting and rejoicing.
Sending food portions (“mishloach manos,” “shalachmones”).
Gifts to the poor.
The Sages also instituted that on Purim we read the passage from the Book of Exodus beginning with the words “And Amalek came and fought with Israel in Refidim,” and that in all prayers of this day we insert a section containing words of thanksgiving for the miracles: “Al Hanissim.”
Here is the text of that insertion:
“We thank You for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the victories, and for the battles which You performed for our forefathers in those days, at this season. In the days of Mordechai and Esther, in Shushan the capital, when the wicked Haman rose up against them and sought to destroy, to slay, and to exterminate all the Jews, young and old, children and women, on the same day, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions. But You, in Your abundant mercy, nullified his counsel and frustrated his intention, and caused the evil he planned to recoil on his own head, and they hanged him and his sons on the gallows.”
It is advisable to refrain from mundane work on Purim, although it is technically permitted. The Sages said: “From work done on Purim, one will not see a blessing.”
Reading the Megillah
Everyone is obligated to hear the Megillah twice on Purim: once at night (March 2, 2026) and again the following day, during the day. This mitzvah applies equally to men and women. It is preferable to hear the Megillah reading in the synagogue with a large congregation, as this also constitutes “publicizing the miracle.”
Before the reading, the Megillah is unrolled and folded like a “letter,” because in verse 9:20 it is referred to not as a scroll but as a “letter about Purim.”
During the reading, special emphasis is placed on the verse “On that night, the king’s sleep was disturbed” (6:1), for this moment is the foundation of the miracle, and salvation began to unfold from this point. Also, the names of Haman’s ten sons (9:7-10) are read in one breath, to indicate that they all formed a single force and were all defeated and killed together.
At the words “And Mordechai sent letters to all the Jews” (9:29), the Megillah is slightly raised and shown to the congregation, for the Megillah itself is that very letter. It is customary to make noise by knocking, stamping feet, or other means whenever Haman’s name is mentioned, as it is said: “Erase the memory of Amalek.” Special noisemakers (graggers) are even made for Purim, which children use to drown out Haman’s name.
Feasting and Rejoicing
The main Purim feast is held during the day, after the morning Megillah reading, and should be abundant with food, wine, and joy. The festive meal on the previous night, after the evening Megillah reading, is also conducted with celebration, special clothing, and candle lighting. However, the daytime Purim feast is the primary mitzvah; it should begin shortly after noon and continue into the evening. The morning hours between the Megillah reading and the feast are used for sending portions and giving gifts to the poor, i.e., fulfilling the third and fourth mitzvos of Purim.
It is known that the miracles of Purim are connected with wine: at Achashverosh’s feast, Queen Vashti was deposed, and Esther took her place; Haman’s downfall occurred during the feast prepared by Esther. It is also known that through repentance and return to G-d, the Jews corrected the transgression they had committed by participating in Achashverosh’s feast. Therefore, our Sages, of blessed memory, ruled: “On Purim, one should drink until he can no longer distinguish between ‘cursed be Haman’ and ‘blessed be Mordechai’.”
While one should make their Purim feast as lavish and joyful as possible, it is even more important to use available means to better fulfill the mitzvah of “sending portions” and especially “gifts to the poor,” for there is no greater or more worthy joy for a Jew than to gladden the hearts of the poor, orphans, widows, and strangers.
The most popular Purim food is hamantaschen – triangular pastries filled with poppy seeds and honey.
Gifts to the Poor
The Scroll of Esther states: “That the Jews made these days days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” On Purim, everyone is obligated to give charity to at least two needy individuals.
This mitzvah is additional to the general mitzvah of charity commanded by the Torah. Gifts should be given during the daytime on Purim, ideally immediately after the morning Megillah reading, in order to help the poor person prepare their festive meal.
Sending Food Portions (“mishloach manos,” “shalachmones”)
To fulfill the mitzvah of “sending portions to one another,” each person is obligated to send a gift to at least one friend (man to man, woman to woman) consisting of at least two different types of food. In this context, “food” refers to items that can be eaten or drunk immediately, without further preparation. It is customary to send the portions via a messenger, not to deliver them personally, as the very name of the mitzvah implies “sending.” Like gifts to the poor, portions are sent during the day, not on the previous evening.
Purimshpiel
A traditional performance called a Purimshpiel is often held on Purim. Adults and children dress up in various costumes, wear masks, and sometimes participate in a large carnival procession.
The custom of dressing up has deep symbolic meaning: although the face of the Almighty is hidden, and He does not overtly show His governance of the world, this is merely an external facade; the Almighty is unchanging and remains the same as He revealed Himself to us when we left Egypt. Until the time of Esther, miracles were overt; from that time onward, they became hidden, but their essence remained unchanged.
