Purim next begins at sundown on Monday, March 22, 2027. Here is what it means and how it is observed, drawn from classic Jewish sources.
When is Purim?
Purim begins at sundown on the dates below (the Jewish day starts in the evening).
| Year | Purim begins (at sundown) |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Monday, March 22, 2027 (next) |
| 2028 | Saturday, March 11, 2028 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, February 28, 2029 |
| 2030 | Monday, March 18, 2030 |
What is Purim?
What it commemorates:
Purim celebrates the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman’s plot to annihilate them in the ancient Persian Empire. The Book of Esther tells how Haman, a royal minister, convinced King Ahasuerus to decree the destruction of all Jews. Through the courage of Queen Esther and the wisdom of her uncle Mordechai, the plot was uncovered, Haman was executed, and the king instead granted the Jews the right to defend themselves. They defeated their enemies on the 14th of Adar, and the day became a festival of celebration .
How it’s observed:
The holiday centers on four main mitzvot:
1. Reading the Megillah (Book of Esther) — recited publicly on the evening and morning of Purim
2. Sending gifts of food to friends (mishloach manot)
3. Giving gifts to the poor — the essential act of charity
4. A festive meal — celebrated on the 14th of Adar (or 15th in walled cities), with eating, drinking, and joy
The spirit of the day:
Purim is marked by profound joy and reversal of fortune. There’s a tradition of becoming intoxicated enough that one “does not know the difference between ‘accursed is Haman’ and ‘blessed is Mordechai'” — though practices vary on how literally this is taken.
What makes Purim unique: the Sages taught that even in the messianic age, when other biblical books may no longer be publicly recited, the Book of Esther will endure . It celebrates divine providence working through hidden means — God’s name never appears in Esther, yet deliverance comes unmistakably.
How Purim is observed
Yes, exactly right. The four central mitzvot of Purim are:
1. Reading the Megillah — reciting the Book of Esther, both in the evening and during the day
2. Mishloach manot — sending gifts of food to friends (at least two different foods to one person)
3. Matanot la’evyonim — gifts to the poor (at least two gifts to two different poor people)
4. Seudah — a festive meal
Each of these commemorates and relives the Purim story and its deliverance. The meal is central—it’s a time to eat, drink, and rejoice , and unlike many other Jewish holidays, Purim emphasizes joy and feasting as the primary religious expression.
A few additional notes:
- The meal itself should be substantial and joyful, ideally shared with family and friends
- There’s a famous obligation mentioned in the Gemara to drink wine on Purim, though the precise extent of this is debated among the Rishonim
- All four mitzvot ideally take place during the day of the 14th of Adar (or the 15th in walled cities like Jerusalem), though some can be observed on the evening before as well
The beauty of Purim is that these four acts—reading, remembering, giving, and celebrating together—weave the entire community into the story of salvation.
Sources
- Mishnah Berurah 685
- Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 695
- Mishneh Torah, Scroll of Esther and Hanukkah 2
- Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 693
- Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 142
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