When Purim is on Friday (as it is this year, 5785, outside of Yerushalaim) there are some considerations to keep in mind as to when to have the Seudas Purim.
On a regular week, in order to come into Shabbos with a healthy appetite, we refrain from eating any meals on Erev Shabbos after the ninth halachic hour of the day (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 249:2 and Mishna Berura there. See also Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 72:10).
When there is an obligatory meal to be eaten on Erev Shabbos (such as a bris, Pidyon Haben and the like) M’Ikar Hadin it is allowed, but if possible to eat it before Chatzos, that is ideal. (ibid. Some Poskim apply this rule to the Purim Seudah as well, and thus allow it the entire day)
The Rama (Siman 695:2) rules that when Purim is on Erev Shabbos, the meal should be eaten in the morning. (See also Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 142:5)
The Mishna Berura (S”K 10) says that morning means it is L’chatchila to eat the Seudah any time before Chatzos. (Chatzos in the NY/NJ area this Purim is approximately 1pm. See also Aruch Hashulchan Siman 249:7 and Shu”t Ohr L’Tzion Vol. 4 Siman 60)
If that is not possible or practical, it is best to eat the meal before the end of the ninth halachic hour of the day. (See Shu”t Maharil Siman 56:8, quoted in the comments of the Yad Efraim to the Rama above. In the NY/NJ area, the end of the ninth hour this Purim is approximately 4pm. If doing this, it is recommended to daven Mincha first, and then begin the Seudah soon thereafter.)
Another option, which many Poskim allow (Some allow this L’chatchilah, while other maintain it’s B’Dieved), is referred to in Halacha as “Pores Mapah U’Mekadesh”, which means we combine the Purim Seudah and the Friday night Shabbos Seudah.
Here are the guidelines for “Pores Mapah U’Mekadesh”:
The Purim Seudah is started a while before Shkia. Then approximately half hour before Shkiah, the Shabbos candles should be lit, Shabbos should be accepted, the Chalos on the table should be covered, and Kiddush should be recited. If Hagafen was already recited on wine during the Purim Seudah, that bracha is omitted from the text of the Kiddush. (See Mishna Berura Siman 695 S”K 21)
Two Chalos (Lechem Mishneh) are then cut (No new Bracha of Hamotzi is recited, as Hamotzi was already recited at the onset of the Purim meal. See Mishna Berura Siman 271 S”K 18) and a K’Beitzah of bread is eaten for the Shabbos meal. (Some say a new washing of the hands is required, without a bracha of Netilas Yadayim. See Da’as Torah Siman 271:4. Also, it is good for each individual to have his own Lechem Mishneh, as it is questionable if one person can exempt others with Lechem Mishneh where no Hamotzi is being recited. See Halichos Even Yisroel, Moadim Vol. 2 page 449 and Shu”t Minchas Shlomo, Mahadura Tinyana, Siman 14:2)
In Birchas Hamazon, Retzei is added, as it is Shabbos. Al Hanisim is not recited (See Mishna Berura Siman 695 S”K 15)
Some suggest that the “Harachaman Hu Ya’aseh Lanu Nisim...” for Purim can be recited in the Harachamans. Others say that the “Shoshanas Yaakov” and other Purim songs that were sung at the Purim portion of the Seudah suffice for pirsumei Nisa in this case. (See Sefer Purim Meshulash Perek 1 Ha’arah 20)
According to many Poskim, Maariv for Shabbos is davened after the Seudah. (See Mishna Berura Siman 271 S”K 11. See also Shulchan Aruch Harav Siman 271:11 and Aruch Hashulchan Siman 271:12)
According to the Arizal, Maariv should be davened before the Seudah. (See Kaf Hachaim Siman 271:22. See also Ma’aseh Rav from the Gr”a Siman 117)
Every individual should discuss with their Rav, as to when to start their Seudah in their situation.
Also, if by starting too early it will cause some of the participants to miss all or part of it, or otherwise lead to tension or stress, it should be done at a later time, as the main thing is to have a pleasant Seudah filled with Simcha, Menuchas Hanefesh and no Machlokes or issues with Shalom Bayis Chas v’Shalom (Ruling of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Zatzal – and also common sense!)
The concluding words of the Rama in Hilchos Purim, and indeed the very last words in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim are the words of the Posuk (Mishlei 15:15) וְטוֹב לֵב מִשְתֶּה תָמִיד, as Rashi explains "Tov Lev", one who is satisfied with his lot in life, "Mishteh Tamid", will live all his life as if he is at a joyous celebration, i.e. Sameach B'Chelko!
May we be zoche very soon to the day when we will all be residents of a rebuilt Yerushalayim with a rebuilt Bais Hamikdash and live an existence of true Simcha of "Mishteh Tamid" with "Korbanos Tamid" on the Mizbayach with the "Aish Tamid"!
