Maariv
It is customary to wear Shabbos clothing on Purim (for married men—a [silk] kapote).
Say Ve’al Hanissim during Maariv. (See below, “Hosafos,” for the laws that apply if you forgot to say Ve’al Hanissim.)
Shemoneh Esrei is followed by Kaddish Shalem and the reading of the megillah (see below). If the minyan did not yet recite kiddush levanah, they should do so before reading the megillah. (This year, tonight is the last night to recite kiddush levanah.) The megillah reading is followed by Ve’atah kadosh, Kaddish Shalem (omitting the stanza of Tiskabel), and Aleinu.
Although the main Purim meal will take place tomorrow, a meal should be eaten tonight as well. If the meal includes bread, say Ve’al Hanissim when bentching. (See below, “Hosafos,” for the laws that apply if you forgot to say Ve’al Hanissim.)
If possible, refrain from eating before the megillah reading.
The Megillah Reading
If one reads the megillah as a story that took place long ago and does not apply to their life today, one does not fulfill their obligation. (Torah of the Baal Shem Tov, quoted in Likkutei Sichos, vol. 6, p. 189)
The megillah should be folded into three sections.
When listening to the berachos and kriah, have in mind to be yotzei your obligation.
Even failing to hear a single word or possuk may prevent you from being yotzei. If this happens, say the missing word(s) from your megillah or Chumash until you catch up to the baal korei.
We make noise when Haman’s name is mentioned with an appellation, such as ha’agagi or hara.
The listeners read the following pesukim out loud (followed by the baal korei): Ish yehudi (2:1), U’Mordechai yatza (8:15), Layehudim (8:16), and Ki Mordechai hayehudi (10:3).
Additionally, when reaching the words chamesh meios ish (9:6), say from chamesh meios ish until (and including) the word aseres in one breath. This is followed by the baal korei.
Rustle the megillah when saying ha’igeres hazos (9:26) and igeres hapurim hazos hashenis (9:29).
After completing the megillah, the baal korei recites the berachah of Harov es riveinu. Do not speak until he completes the berachah.
Next, say Shoshanas Yaakov and roll up your megillah.
See below, “Hosafos,” for additional halachos and minhagim that apply when reading or listening to the megillah.
The simchah of Purim is much greater than the simchah of Yom Tov.
If possible, refrain from eating before the megillah reading.
Shacharis and the Megillah Reading
We don’t say Tachanun.
Say Ve’al Hanissim during Shemoneh Esrei. (See below, “Hosafos,” for the laws that apply if you forgot to say Ve’al Hanissim.)
Shemoneh Esrei is followed by Chatzi Kaddish and krias hatorah. The parshah of Vayavo Amalek is read. (The baal korei reads zecher zeicher Amalek, first zecher and then zeicher.)
This is followed by Chatzi Kaddish, hagbah, and gelilah.
If you did not hear Parshas Zachor on Shabbos, you can be yotzei by listening to the kriah of Vayavo Amalek.
Krias hatorah is followed by the reading of the megillah. (See above and below, “Hosafos,” for the relevant halachos and minhagim.)
When listening to the berachah of Shehecheyanu, have in mind that it also applies to the mitzvos of mishloach manos, matanos la’evyonim, and the Purim feast.
After the megillah reading, say Ashrei and Uva Letzion. Kaddish Shalem is recited, and the Sefer Torah is returned to the aron kodesh. Continue with Beis Yaakov and complete davening as usual.
Mishloach Manos and Matanos La’evyonim
The minimal obligation of mishloach manos is to send two portions of food or drink (or one food and one drink) to one friend. The portions must be edible in their present state.
The minimal obligation of matanos la’evyonim is to give two presents to two poor people, one to each.
It is ideal to send additional mishloach manos and give added matanos la’evyonim, beyond the minimum requirement. It is better to add in matanos la’evyonim than to add in mishloach manos and the Purim feast.
See below, “Hosafos,” for more on mishloach manos and matanos la’evyonim.
The Purim Seudah
Because it is erev Shabbos, the Purim seudah should ideally be held in the morning—before chatzos, for the honor of Shabbos. (See below, “Hosafos,” for the laws that apply if you did not have your meal before chatzos).
It is proper to study Torah for at least a few minutes before beginning the Purim seudah.
It is customary to eat kreplach during the meal.
On Purim one must drink wine beyond his habit. However, it is better to refrain from doing so if this will result in inappropriate behavior or lack of proper respect for a mitzvah. It should be noted that the gezeirah of not drinking more than four shots of mashkeh seems to apply to Purim as well.
Say Ve’al Hanissim when bentching. (See below, “Hosafos,” for the laws that apply if you forgot to say Ve’al Hanissim.)
Purim Customs
It is customary to eat hamantashen on Purim.
It is customary for children to wear costumes on Purim. Care should be taken to ensure that all costumes reflect the proper Yiddishe and chassidishe spirit.
In many places it is customary for children to act out the Purim story. Parents should emphasize to their children that it is inappropriate for a Jew to behave like a rasha such as Haman, even for a short while. The child acting out Haman’s part should be aware that he/she is only doing so because someone must fill that position, not because they are comfortable with it and enjoy it.
Thirty Days Before Pesach
Purim marks the beginning of the 30-day preparation period preceding Pesach.
Begin studying the halachos of Pesach.
Start giving maos chitim, providing Pesach provisions to those in need.
Refrain from eating matzah.
When handling chametz, make sure it does not get stuck somewhere in a way that will make it difficult to remove before Pesach.
Minchah
Say Ve’al Hanissim during Minchah. (See below, “Hosafos,” for the laws that apply if you forgot to say Ve’al Hanissim).
