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The Purim feast is unlike any other in the Jewish year.
The Purim seudah is a festive meal that is one of the central mitzvot (commandments) of Purim. It's a time for celebration, joy, and community, reflecting the themes of the Purim story where the Jewish people were saved from a decree of annihilation.
The Purim Seudah (feast) is held during the daytime. It is also customary to extend the meal until after dark. If Purim falls on Friday, the festive meal is held in the morning, so that the meal ends in plenty of time to finish preparations for Shabbat.
Making a Purim Seudah isn’t that much different than creating a Friday night dinner. You will need bread, wine, and whatever dinner food you plan on serving. (Click here for menu inspiration!). You can put on classic Purim hits and come in costume. The Purim seudah is a communal celebration, so many invite friends and family to their meal. After the meal, we add the Al-Hanissim prayer for Purim into Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals).Â
One is obligated to drink until he can no longer distinguish between Arur Haman and Baruch Mordechai. See more details about drinking on Purim. One should not become so drunk that he will be negligent in performing mitzvot – e.g. Netilat Yadayim (washing hands before bread), saying the blessings of "Hamotzee" and Grace After Meals.
