221 Lessons
The Laws of Purim 5. Purim Ha-meshulash
Chapter 17: Walled and Unwalled Cities
When the fifteenth falls out on Shabbat, Purim in that year is called Purim Ha-meshulash (“Triple Purim”), because its mitzvot are divided over three days.
The Laws of Purim 4. Traveling between Walled and Unwalled Cities
Chapter 17: Walled and Unwalled Cities
Since Purim is celebrated in unwalled cities on the fourteenth and in walled cities on the fifteenth, many questions arise regarding one who travels from an unwalled city to Jerusalem, or vice versa.
The Laws of Purim 3. Uncertain Places
Chapter 17: Walled and Unwalled Cities
Most uncertain places today rely on the lenient opinion and celebrate Purim exclusively on the fourteenth. Only in places where the likelihood that it was truly a walled city is greater, like in Tiberias and Hebron, do many people customarily read the Megilla on the fifteenth as well.
The Laws of Purim 1. What Is a Walled City?
Chapter 17: Walled and Unwalled Cities
Most places celebrate on the fourteenth of Adar, whereas Shushan, along with cities that were surrounded by walls at the time of Yehoshua bin Nun, celebrate on the fifteenth of Adar.
The Laws of Purim 2. Jerusalem and Its Environs
Chapter 17: Walled and Unwalled Cities
The Sages said: “A walled city and all that adjoins it and all that is visible with it are reckoned as a walled city” Therefore, not only do the residents of the Old City of Jerusalem celebrate Purim on the fifteenth of Adar, but so do the residents of all the neighborhoods adjacent to the Old City.
The Laws of Purim 16. Costumes and the Prohibition of Lo Yilbash
Chapter 16: The Mitzvot of Joy and Kindness
Many people customarily wear masks and costumes on Purim. Even though there is no source for this in the writings of the Sages, and the Aĥaronim did not write that one must wear costumes, various reasons have been given for the custom.
The Laws of Purim 15. Scheduling the Se’uda when Purim is on Friday
Chapter 16: The Mitzvot of Joy and Kindness
When Purim falls out on Friday, it is customary, le-khatĥila, to begin the meal before the afternoon, in honor of Shabbat. Alternatively, there is a custom to combine the Purim meal with the first Shabbat meal on Friday night.
The Laws of Purim 14. Can a Drunk or Tipsy Person Recite Berakhot and Pray Ma’ariv?
Chapter 16: The Mitzvot of Joy and Kindness
On Purim, a drunk person may recite all Birkhot Ha-nehenin, Birkat Ha-mazon, and Asher Yatzar. One who is tipsy or drunk after finishing the meal must wait to pray Ma’ariv until he is sober and able to pray with a clear mind.
The Laws of Purim 13. When to Eat the Festive Meal
Chapter 16: The Mitzvot of Joy and Kindness
Most Jews begin the Purim meal in the afternoon, after praying Minĥa. Some people start the meal very late, just before shki’a, eating most of the meal after dark. Many authorities question this practice, as the mitzva is to eat the meal on Purim.
The Laws of Purim 12. The Meaning of the Mitzva of Drinking
Chapter 16: The Mitzvot of Joy and Kindness
Both in Tanakh and in rabbinic literature, it is made clear that drunkenness is disgraceful and liable to bring one to sin. Why, then, are we commanded to get drunk on Purim?
The Laws of Purim 11. Laws of Drinking
Chapter 16: The Mitzvot of Joy and Kindness
One fulfills his obligation to drink on Purim with any intoxicating beverage. However, it is preferable to drink wine, because the miracle came about through wine. It is a mitzva even for women to drink a lot of wine that brings joy on Purim. However, they must be careful not to get drunk. If one knows that when he gets drunk he goes wild and hurts others, or he ends up wallowing in his own vomit and degrading himself in public, he should not get drunk.
The Laws of Purim 9. The Mitzva to Rejoice and Eat a Se’uda
Chapter 16: The Mitzvot of Joy and Kindness
We are commanded to observe Purim as a day of feasting and joy. Even though the mitzva of rejoicing continues throughout the night and day of Purim, it reaches its climax at the se’uda, the festive meal.
The Laws of Purim 10. The Mitzva to Drink
Chapter 16: The Mitzvot of Joy and Kindness
On Purim, there is an explicit mitzva to drink a lot. Therefore, the Sages said, “A person is obligated to get drunk on Purim until he does not know the difference between ‘Cursed is Haman’ and ‘Blessed is Mordechai’”.