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How does a Purim which falls on Friday differ from the average Purim?

by Mrs. Dinka Kumer

  

Library » Holidays » Purim » About | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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The four 'M's that we do every Purim are done this year as well:
Megillah (hearing the Scroll of Esther)
Mishloach Manot (Food gifts to friends)
Matanot L'evyonim (gifts to the poor)
Mishteh (festive meal).

The one major difference is regarding the festive meal which, as always, commences with breaking bread and ends a good while later with a very full belly and Grace After Meals. Usually we begin this Purim meal late in the afternoon, but when Purim is on Friday it is preferable to start before midday1. However, if midday has passed, one can still start the Purim meal any time in the afternoon, and finish sometime before Shabbat.

Or you may continue through into Shabbat, making pauses for lighting Shabbat candles, Kiddush, etc. (Note: this second option has a number of detailed specifications, so you should contact a rabbi how to go about this properly.)

When Purim is on Friday, Shushan Purim is on Shabbat. For those fortunate to be in Jerusalem or other cities which commemorate the miracle and observe the Mitzvahs of Purim on Shushan Purim, instructions are as follows:

Thursday night: hear the Megillah
Friday: Megillah 2nd round and gifts to the poor
Shabbat: special Purim Torah reading and Al Hanissim in prayers
Sunday: festive meal and Mishloach Manot

A real three day holiday!

Has Purim panic mode set in along with all your Shabbat prep?

Double up on the cooking, so the food is for both Purim and Shabbat, and, if you’re expecting loads of mishloach manot, don’t bother with dessert, since you’ll have lots of nosh around anyway. Simplify your Mishloach Manot this year by giving a bottle of wine and a store bought pastry (which will also serve to complement your recipient’s Shabbat menu), and pay someone to deliver. No time to track down two needy souls? Mail checks, or donate on line via credit card to an organization that supports the poor; or pass money on to your Rabbi to distribute as part of his Purim fund.

Footnotes

  • 1. Midday varies depending on the season and usually doesn’t concur with noon on our clocks. According to Jewish law, midday is exactly halfway between sunset and sunrise. Go to www.chabad.org/calendar for the exact time of midday for any location.

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RELATED CATEGORIES

Holidays » Purim » The Laws
Shabbat
(pl: Shabbatot). Hebrew word meaning "rest." It is a Biblical commandment to sanctify and rest on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. This commemorates the fact that after creating the world in six days, G-d rested on the seventh.
Torah
Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.
Purim
A one-day holiday celebrated in late winter commemorating the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from a decree of annihilation issued by Persian King Ahasuerus in the year 356 BCE.
Grace After Meals
Biblically mandated prayer, consisting of four blessings, recited after eating more than an ounce of bread.
Kiddush
Prayer recited at the beginning of the Sabbath or Holiday meal--both the evening and afternoon meals. This prayer, acknowledging the sanctity of the day, is recited over a cup of wine or grape juice.
Megillah
A scroll. Usually a reference to the Book of Esther, one of the books of the "Written Torah", which is read--from a scroll--on the holiday of Purim.
Esther
1. Jewish wife of Persian King Ahasuerus in the 4th century BCE. Foiled the plot of Haman, the prime minister, to exterminate all the Jews. The holiday of Purim commemorates this miraculous salvation. 2. One of the 24 Books of the Bible, which chronicles the abovementioned story.
Mishloach Manot
Gifts of food which every Jew is required to give to an acquaintance on the holiday of Purim.
Jerusalem
Established by King David to be the eternal capital of Israel. Both Temples were built there, and the third Temple will be situated there when the Messiah comes.