On Purim we celebrate simcha which is Hebrew for unabashed joy. Some families attend a Purim carnival, complete with costumes, and others get together with friends. Either way, a traditional Purim celebration includes a delicious meal and fun family activities like singing, dancing, and games.
Did you know that there’s a special name for the meal eaten on Purim? In fact, se’udat Purim, enjoying a banquet, is one of the four mitzvot of Purim.
But why are we supposed to eat this big, fun, meal on Purim? What makes it different from a seder or a regular meal?
In the book of Esther, there’s a passage that specifically calls out that the Jews of Shushan (where the Purim story happened) “rested on the fourteenth day and made it a day of feasting and merrymaking.” (Esther 9:17). In the story of Esther, banquets and meals play a central role as well, so it’s natural that one would become part of ritual over the years: there’s a party when Esther becomes queen; Ahashverosh and Haman meet over lunch to discuss Haman’s nefarious plot; Queen Esther hosts several banquets; an, as noted above, the story ends with widespread feasting.
Technically, any festive meal with bread, in which motzi and birkat hamazon are said, is a seudah. We have three of them each Shabbat and two of them each holiday (Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, etc.). The Purim seudah is just like any other in that respect--but what's different is the total fun factor because it's Purim.
In terms of its differences with a seder, the Purim seudah is more of a party-meal in that there is no set order and the meal is eaten during daylight hours. The goal is really to celebrate and party (and that looks very different for various people).* There are no symbolic foods to eat or special blessings made for this meal. Instead, the event is all about conversation, games, the Purim story, and celebrating!
Some families make Persian food to celebrate where the Purim story happened. Some families like to prepare their favorite foods. And some families like to make special new dishes for the holiday.
PJ Library subscribers shared with us that their families do the following:
- “We’re Persian and we eat halva!”
- “Our family makes a LOT of meats.”
- “Our JCC has a carnival and we have all sorts of fair food including hot dogs.”
- “Hamantaschen, hamantaschen, hamantaschen!”
What would you like to prepare for a fun Purim feast in your family? What foods would make it feel like a real celebration for you?
*Note for the grownups: There are other traditions meant for adults observed by some during the se’udat Purim – this is meant to be a child-friendly and quick overview.
More
Learning the Four Mitzvot of Purim
Family-Friendly Podcasts and Videos to Share the Purim Story With All Ages
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