Purim Laws and Customs
The FAST of ESTHER
Monday, March 2
The Fast of Esther is on March 2, 2025.
The Fast of Esther starts at dawn on Monday, March 2, at 5:03 AM and lasts until nightfall, 6:16 PM. Nursing and pregnant women need not fast at all.
If one wishes to wake up early and eat before the fast begins, one should have that in mind before going to sleep. Otherwise, going to sleep constitutes, by default, an acceptance of the fast and even if one wakes up before dawn, one may not eat.
The Torah is read at Shacharit and at Mincha. In addition, there is a special Haftorah read at Minchah.
It is also customary to give three half-Shekels (half-dollar coins) to Tzedakah at Minchah on the day of the fast. Chabad will have coins available at Minchah for the half-Shekel.
The FOUR MITZVOT OF PURIM
Monday, March 2 & Tuesday, March 3
1. Hear the Megillah twice - both at night (3/2) and during the day (3/3).
Note: one does not fulfill the obligation to hear the Megillah on Zoom.
2. Mishloach Manot; send at least two food gifts to at least one friend on 3/3.
3. Mattanot LaEvyonim; give money for tzedakah to at least two needy people on 3/3 You can give Mattanot LaEvyonim at www.chabadwestside.org/purimfund and Chabad will make sure that your tzedakah is distributed to needy families on Purim day. It is preferable that more money be spent on Mattanot LaEvyonim than on Mishloach Manot.
4. Eat the festive Purim meal on 3/3. Preferably, this should be a meat meal.
