The Halachos of Banging for Haman During the Megillah Reading
למודי משה | February 28, 2026
Print This Article
View Original PDF
The Halachos of Banging for Haman During the Megillah Reading
Children of all ages eagerly anticipate the moment on Purim when the ba’al koreh mentions Haman’s name. They bang on the floor and tables, shoot popguns, and indulge in all types of noise making activities.
What is the source for this custom? Does anyone say this should not be done? Is it for adults as well? All these questions and many others will be addressed below.
The Source
We have an obligation to “erase any semblance of Amalek” (Shemos 17:4). Furthermore, the pasuk (Mishlei 10:7) says, shem reshoim yirkav, “The name of the wicked should rot.” Based on this, the custom evolved that children draw images of Haman on stones, or write his name on them. Then they bang the two objects together in order to erase the name of Haman.
View The Full Article (PDF)