Judaism 101
March 21, 2008
Purim Mitzvot
Maayan Jaffe
Staff Reporter
Today is Purim. There’s still plenty of time to do the Purim mitzvot (at least most of them). They are mentioned in Megillat Esther, the Scroll of Esther, chapter 9, verses 20-23.
What are the mitzvot?
• Hear Megillat Esther: This is commanded of both men and women, at sunset after Purim begins and in the morning.
• Shalach Manot: Send out gifts to friends. Many Ashkenazic Jews bake hamantaschen, triangular cookies to include in these goodie bags. It is customary to provide to at least two people, to include foods requiring at least two different brachot (for example, an apple and a cookie), and to provide foods that are already prepared and readily eaten.
• Matanot L’evyonim: Give charity. It is customary to give to charity at least two people, amounting to at least the amount spent on your Purim feast or enough for the person to buy bread weighing at least three eggs. If a beggar approaches you on Purim, you cannot turn him down.
Matanot l’evyonim and shalach manot should be given by day. It is customary to perform these mitzvot immediately after the morning megillah reading. It is also a mitzvah to attend a Purim feast, eat, drink and be merry.