How to celebrate purim

How to celebrate purim
Welcome to Beit Chabad’s Purim website
chabad-purim.org.il

Purim commemorates the miracle where the people of Israel were saved from the evil Haman who wanted to destroy all Jews at the times of the Persian empire.

At Beit Chabad’s Purim website, you will learn the day’s mitzvahs and customs as well as everything you need to know about Purim.

In addition, you can observe the mitzvahs of Matanot La’Evyonim and the Machatzit HaShekel through Beit Chabad using Bit or credit card.

Donations on the website are tax deductible in accordance with Section 46.
The donation is secured and performed through credit card or paypal
The payment is made by the Beit Chabad Foundation, Sderot, under Tzeirei Agudat Chabad Bn No. 580134229

Why do we celebrate Purim?

Purim is celebrated due to the miracle that occurred to Am Israel in the times of the Persian empire.

According to tradition, the story of Purim took place in the years ג’ת”ד-ג’ת”ה (3404–3405) (355–356 BC according to the Gregorian calendar)

A summary of the story: The evil Haman, who was, at that time, a prominent minister for the king, planned and decreed to destroy all the Jews. Miraculously, a few years earlier, the king was upset with his wife and killed her, and instead took Esther as his queen. This fact resulted in Esther going on to influence the king, thus saving the Jews from Haman’s decree.

Read the story of Purim in detail.

What are the 4 mitzvahs of Purim?

Our Sages set to celebrate the Purim miracle with four special mitzvahs. All four mitzvahs start with the Hebrew letter Mem, just as the word Mitzvah itself. This is a good trick to remember the names of the four Purim mitzvahs and they are known among Jews as the Four Mems.

Matanot La’Evyonim – Giving support to the needy

It is a mitzvah to support the poor on Purim, the minimal amount required to fulfill the mitzvah is to give a gift to two poor people.

Unlike mitzvah of tzdaka all year round, on Purim there is a rule “Give to everyone who asks”.

To learn the relevant Halakha in detail and for observing the mitzvah online through Beit Chabad, enter Matanot Le’Evyonim.

Mikra’ Megillah – Reading the Megillah

Our Sages decided to read the Megillah of Esther twice, on Purim eve and on the next day.

To read the relevant Halakha and customs, go to Mikra’ Megillah .

Mishte’ VeSimcha – Feasting and merriment

It is a mitzvah to celebrate and hold a feast on Purim, drinking more wine than usual, as is described in the Talmu “Chayn Inish L’vesumey” – A person is obligated to mellow oneself [get drunk] until they do not know the difference between ‘cursed is Haman‘ and ‘Blessed is Mordechai.

To understand the meaning of the decree and to read the relevant Halakha and customs of the Purim feast, see Mishte’ VeSimcha .

Mishlo’ach Manot – Sending gifts

It is a mitzvah to give gifts to friends and acquaintances, at least to one friend – Mishlo’ach Manot – A Purim basket.

The basket should include at the very least 2 kinds of food (two different brachot) or of food and drink.

For more details, see the mitzvah of Mishlo’ach Manot .

Machatzit HaShekel – The Half of Shekel mitzvah

There is a special mitzvah, which while not directly related to Purim, is a mitzvah appearing in the Torah (Ki Tisa portion), telling us to donate half a shekel for participation in the Beit HaMikdash expenses.

The mitzvah still exists today and is meant to be a donation for Torah-related activities, prayer and charity, in memory of the mitzvah that existed back at the times of Beit Ha’Mikdash

The mitzvah is observed in the month of Adar and the preferable time for it is on the day of the Fast of Esther around the mincha prayer.

How to celebrate purim