Purim Laws and Customs
The FAST of ESTHER
Thursday, March 21
The Fast of Esther 2024 is held on March 21, 2024, and Purim is celebrated Saturday evening March 23 and the following day, March 24. While the fast is generally celebrated on the day before Purim, when Purim is on Sunday, the fast is moved from Shabbat to the preceding Thursday.
Click here for basic fast-day information.
The Fast of Esther starts at dawn on Thursday, March 21, at 5:30 AM and lasts until nightfall, 7:38 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
Saturday, March 23 & Sunday, March 24
1. Hear the Megillah at night (3/23) and during the day (3/24).
This year, since Purim begins on Motzaei Shabbat, Megillah should not be read before Shabbat ends at 7:53 PM.
At Chabad we will have a delayed Maariv, beginning at 8:15 PM and have our first Megillah reading at 8:30 PM. One may end Shabbat at home (after 7:53 PM) by saying the verbal Havdallah "Baruch Hamavdil bein Kodesh Lechol - Blessed is He Who separates between the holy and the profane." One may then drive to Shul, put on a costume or do any other non-Shabbat work (melachah) even though Ma'ariv has not yet been recited. Havdallah on a cup of wine will be done in Shul after the Megillah reading.
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 3/24.
3. Mattanot LaEvyonim; give money for tzedakah to at least two needy people on 3/24 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 3/24. Preferably, this should be a meat meal.
