Customs of Purim

From Halachipedia

Working on Purim

  1. The minhag in some places is not to work on Purim and in some places the minhag is to work, however, one will not see Bracha that one earns from that work. [1] s.v. Ein Osin </ref>
  2. From nightfall until one reads the megilla he should not do any work or take a nap. [2]

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Wearing Costumes on Purim

  1. There is a custom to wear costumes on Purim. [3] There are many explanations brought down for this minhag. [4]
  2. Many poskim are against crossdressing on Purim as a costume [5]
  3. There is a custom to wear Yom Tov clothing on Purim starting the night of Purim. [6]

Prayers

Al Hanissim

  1. The prayer of al hanissim is inserted into the shmoneh esrei in the beracha of modim and in the beracha of nodeh licha in birkat hamazon on Purim. [7]
  2. At night, before reading the megilla we say al hanissim. [8] This is true even if one recites arvit before nightfall. [9]

Hallel

  1. Hallel isn't recited on Purim. [10]

Tachanun

  1. We do not say Tachanun or Laminatzeach on Purim. [11]

Weddings on Purim

  1. Ashkenazim hold that one shouldn't have a wedding on the day on which one reads the Megillah (which is the 14th of Adar except for those observing Shushan Purim in which case its the 15th of Adar). [12]However, Sephardim hold that if there's a need one may have a wedding on Purim.[13]

Sources

  1. ↑ S”A 696:1
  2. ↑ Mishna Brurah 692:10,15
  3. ↑ Mahari Mintz Teshuva 15, 10 minute halacha on Purim Costumes by Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz
  4. ↑
    • Siach Yitzchok 380 explains that that we are trying to highlight the fact that Haman hid his hate for the Jewish people when approaching Achashverosh for permission to destroy the Jews. Hashem responded measure for measure by sending Eliyahu disguised as Charvonah to defend the Jewish people.
    • The Bnei Yissaschar (on Adar 9:1) cites a Maharam Chagiz who quotes the Gemara Megilla 12a. The Gemora explains that the Jewish people only did things “Lifnim” – hidden – So Hashem as well only did things “Lifnim” – hidden.
    • Eliya Rabba 696 says that since Mordechai was dressed up in the royal clothing, we dress up to commemorate that.
    • Torat Hamoadim pg. 267 quotes Rav Meir Mazuz that this custom almost certainly developed with non-Jewish origins and therefore tries to stop it
    • see The Connection Between Costumes and Drinking on Purim by Rabbi Eliakim Koenigsberg for an additional explanation
    • see 10 minute halacha on Purim Costumes by Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz for additional reasons
    • see also Costume Costum by Rabbi Richards Jacobs
  5. ↑ see Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz's 10 minute halacha on Purim Costumes
    • As a general rule, dressing up in clothing exclusive to the opposite gender is definitely a problem. The Torah expressly forbids such behavior: "A man's attire shall not be on a woman, nor may a man wear a woman's garment." Deuteronomy 22:5
    • Rama (696:8). The reason is that the issur of cross dressing is because it promotes "Znus" but since on Purim it is done just for "simcha be'alma" fun the issur does not apply
    • Mahari Mintz Teshuva 15: he saw many people dress as members of the opposite gender on Purim in the presence of leading Hachamim, and the Hachamim did not object. In the context of the Purim celebration it is deemed permissible.
    • Rama, records a custom to allow wearing on Purim clothes that contain Shaatnez on the level of Rabbinic enactment; these enactments were waived for the purpose of the special joy of Purim.
    • Rambam and Rabbi Eliezer of Metz (Sefer Yeraim 98): dressing as a member of the opposite gender is forbidden under all circumstances
    • Rav Chaim Kanievsky says in the name of the Chazon Ish that cross dressing on Purim is inappropriate even for children. Bayit Hayehudi Volume 4 page 285 agrees.
    • Rav Dovid Feinstein ruled that wearing a women's wig would constitute a simlas isha and would be prohibited.
    • Chacham Ovadyah Yosef (Chazon Ovadyah Purim pg 199, Yalkut Yosef pocket-size Moadim pg 494, Sh"t Yabia Omer YD 5:14 and Yechave Daat 5:50) forbids any costumes that involve cross-dressing on Purim. see also Halacha Yomit. Rav Menashe Klein (Sh"t Mishneh Halachot 11:563) agrees
  6. ↑ Torat HaMoadim (Purim 8:1), Ben Ish Chai Parashat Titzaveh Halacha 22, Mishna Brura 695:3
  7. ↑ S"A 693:2
  8. ↑ Rama 693:2.
  9. ↑ Mishna Brurah 693:4
  10. ↑ S"A 693:3, Mishna Brurah 693:7. The gemara megilla 14a gives three possible reasons: 1. It didn't occur in the land of Israel. 2. That the megilla serves as its replacement. 3. when the story is over, we were still servants to Achashverosh.
  11. ↑ Mishna Brurah 693:8
  12. ↑ Kitzur S"A 142:9
  13. ↑ S"A 696:8 writes that one may have a wedding on Purim. Kaf HaChaim 696:51 quotes some achronim who question this but concludes that if there's a need, one may have a wedding on Purim, but one should do the Seudat Purim before the Chupah.
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