Shushan Purim — שושן פורים
Observed mostly in Israel and particularly in Jerusalem.
Starts at sunset March 23, 2027 and ends at sunset March 24, 2027
Summary
Shushan Purim is the celebration of Purim on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Adar instead of the 14th. It is observed mainly in Jerusalem and in certain other cities that were surrounded by walls in ancient times.
The difference comes directly from Megillat Esther. In most of the Persian Empire, the Jews defended themselves on the 13th of Adar and rested and celebrated on the 14th. In the capital city of Shushan, however, the fighting continued for another day. The Jews of Shushan therefore celebrated on the 15th.
The rabbis established that cities surrounded by walls from the time of Yehoshua bin Nun would celebrate Purim on the 15th of Adar. Jerusalem is the most important city where this is practiced today.
The mitzvot of Shushan Purim are essentially the same as those of regular Purim. They include hearing Megillat Esther at night and during the day, giving Mishloach Manot, giving Matanot La’Evyonim to people in need, and having a festive Purim meal.
For Jews in Jerusalem, Shushan Purim is simply their Purim. For Jews in places such as Houston, New York, Tel Aviv, or most other cities, Purim is normally celebrated one day earlier on the 14th of Adar.
Why Is It Called Shushan Purim?
Shushan was the capital city of the Persian Empire in the Purim story.
The Hebrew name is:
שושן פורים
Shushan Purim.
The story in Megillat Esther explains that the Jews throughout most of the empire fought their enemies on the 13th of Adar.
They rested and celebrated on the 14th.
The Jews living in Shushan were given permission to continue defending themselves on the 14th.
They therefore rested and celebrated on the 15th.
That difference became part of Jewish law.
The Story in Megillat Esther
Megillat Esther tells us that Haman planned to destroy the Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire.
After Esther revealed Haman’s plan to King Achashverosh, the original decree could not simply be canceled under Persian law.
Instead, a new decree allowed the Jews to defend themselves.
The Jewish people successfully defended themselves on the 13th of Adar.
In most places, the fighting ended that day.
The Jews then celebrated on the 14th.
In Shushan, the king allowed another day of fighting.
The Jews there therefore celebrated on the 15th.
Why Jerusalem Celebrates on the 15th
The rabbis established a special rule for cities that had walls dating back to the time of Yehoshua bin Nun.
Those cities celebrate Purim on the 15th of Adar.
This rule intentionally gave honor to Eretz Yisrael and its ancient cities.
Jerusalem clearly qualifies.
For that reason, Jerusalem celebrates Purim one day later than most of the Jewish world.
The connection is especially meaningful because Jerusalem remains the spiritual center of the Jewish people.
Why the Standard Was the Time of Yehoshua
The rabbis could have simply used cities that were walled during the time of the Purim story.
Instead, they connected the rule to cities that had walls from the time of Yehoshua bin Nun.
One traditional explanation is that this was done to honor Eretz Yisrael.
At the time of the Purim story, the Land of Israel had suffered destruction and many cities were no longer in their former condition.
By using the earlier period of Yehoshua, the rabbis preserved the importance of ancient Jewish cities in Eretz Yisrael.
Jerusalem and Shushan Purim
In modern Jewish life, Jerusalem is the best known place where Shushan Purim is fully observed.
This means that someone living in Jerusalem hears Megillat Esther and performs the main Purim mitzvot on the 15th of Adar.
A person in Tel Aviv normally observes them on the 14th.
This creates an interesting situation in Israel.
Purim may end in one city while it is just beginning in Jerusalem.
Some people even travel between cities to experience both celebrations, although the halachic obligations of someone who travels between a 14th-day city and Jerusalem can become complicated.
The Four Main Mitzvot
Shushan Purim has the same central mitzvot as regular Purim.
They are hearing Megillat Esther, giving Mishloach Manot, giving Matanot La’Evyonim, and having the Purim Seudah.
The main difference is the date.
For someone who is obligated to observe Shushan Purim, these mitzvot are performed on the 15th of Adar.
Hearing Megillat Esther — מקרא מגילה
Megillat Esther is read once at night and again during the day.
The Hebrew term for this mitzvah is:
מקרא מגילה
Mikra Megillah.
In an Orthodox synagogue, the Megillah is normally read from a kosher handwritten scroll.
Those listening should make an effort to hear every word.
The reading tells the full story of Esther, Mordechai, Haman, and the rescue of the Jewish people.
The Blessings Before the Megillah
Before the Megillah is read, blessings are recited.
Blessing for Reading the Megillah
Hebrew:
ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על מקרא מגילה
Transliteration:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kideshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al mikra Megillah.
English:
Blessed are You, HaShem our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the reading of the Megillah.
Blessing for the Miracles
Hebrew:
ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם שעשה נסים לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה
Transliteration:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, she’asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.
English:
Blessed are You, HaShem our God, King of the universe, Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days, at this time.
Shehecheyanu
Hebrew:
ברוך אתה ה׳ אלהינו מלך העולם שהחיינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה
Transliteration:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu v’kiyemanu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.
English:
Blessed are You, HaShem our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this time.
Mishloach Manot — משלוח מנות
Mishloach Manot means sending portions of food to another person.
A common basic fulfillment of the mitzvah involves sending at least two different ready-to-eat foods or drinks to one person.
The mitzvah helps strengthen friendship and connection among Jews.
This is particularly appropriate for Purim because Haman described the Jewish people as scattered throughout the empire.
Purim responds by encouraging Jews to actively connect with one another.
Matanot La’Evyonim — מתנות לאביונים
Another major mitzvah is giving to people who are in need.
Matanot La’Evyonim means gifts to the poor.
The traditional obligation is to give to at least two people in need.
Many people give through a synagogue, rabbi, or trusted charity that distributes the money on Purim.
This mitzvah reminds us that Jewish celebration should include people who may not have the resources to celebrate on their own.
The Shushan Purim Seudah
A festive meal is held during the daytime.
This is called the Purim Seudah.
In Jerusalem, the meal is held on Shushan Purim rather than the previous day.
Families and friends gather for food, Torah discussion, songs, and celebration.
Wine may be served according to family and community practice.
The goal is joy connected with gratitude to HaShem for the survival of the Jewish people.
Al HaNissim — על הנסים
Al HaNissim is added to the Amidah and Birkat HaMazon on Shushan Purim for people observing Purim on the 15th.
The prayer describes Haman’s plan and thanks HaShem for overturning it.
It reminds us that although the Megillah never directly mentions HaShem’s name, Orthodox Jewish tradition understands His guidance as being present throughout the story.
The Torah Reading
During Shacharit, the Torah reading comes from the section describing Amalek.
The connection comes from the traditional identification of Haman with Amalek.
The reading reminds us that Purim is part of a larger Jewish struggle against those who seek to destroy Am Yisrael.
Shushan Purim in Jerusalem Today
Shushan Purim is very visible in Jerusalem.
People wear costumes.
Children may attend celebrations.
Synagogues hold Megillah readings.
Families exchange Mishloach Manot.
People give tzedakah and gather for festive meals.
Neighborhoods throughout Jerusalem may have their own community celebrations.
For someone living in Jerusalem, this is not viewed as a secondary version of Purim.
It is Purim.
The Day Before in Jerusalem
On the 14th of Adar, most of the Jewish world is celebrating Purim.
Jerusalem, however, is preparing for Shushan Purim.
It is common to see Purim activity beginning around the city even though the formal mitzvot are associated with the 15th.
Because Jerusalem and nearby cities are close together, the difference between the two dates becomes very noticeable.
Cities With Uncertain Status
Some ancient cities have uncertainty about whether they were surrounded by walls from the time of Yehoshua.
In such places, Jewish communities may observe some Purim practices on both the 14th and 15th.
The exact halachic practice depends upon the city and local rabbinic tradition.
Examples historically discussed include several ancient cities in Eretz Yisrael.
Jerusalem does not have this uncertainty.
Its observance on the 15th is well established.
Traveling Between Jerusalem and Other Cities
Travel can affect which day a person is obligated to observe Purim.
A person who normally lives in Jerusalem but travels to Tel Aviv may face a different halachic situation depending upon when they leave and where they intend to be.
The same applies to someone from outside Jerusalem who travels there during Purim.
The rules depend on location, timing, intention, and other details.
Someone planning to move between Jerusalem and another city during Purim should ask a knowledgeable rabbi about their specific situation.
What Is Purim Meshulash?
Occasionally, the 15th of Adar falls on Shabbat.
This creates a special situation in Jerusalem called:
פורים משולש
Purim Meshulash.
This means “Three-Part Purim.”
Because some Purim mitzvot cannot be performed on Shabbat in the normal way, the observances are divided across three days.
This occurs only in places that observe Purim on the 15th, especially Jerusalem.
Friday During Purim Meshulash
When Purim Meshulash occurs, the Megillah is read on Friday, the 14th of Adar.
Matanot La’Evyonim is also generally given on Friday.
The Megillah is not read on Shabbat because the rabbis were concerned that someone might carry the scroll in a public domain.
Shabbat During Purim Meshulash
On Shabbat, which is the actual 15th of Adar, the special Torah reading for Purim is read.
Al HaNissim is included in the prayers and Birkat HaMazon.
The day keeps its Purim identity, but some of the mitzvot have been moved to other days.
Sunday During Purim Meshulash
On Sunday, the Purim Seudah is held.
Mishloach Manot is also generally given.
This spreads the observance of Shushan Purim across Friday, Shabbat, and Sunday.
It creates a unique three-day Purim experience in Jerusalem.
Ashkenazi Shushan Purim Customs
Ashkenazi communities in Jerusalem generally follow Ashkenazi prayer traditions while observing the Purim mitzvot on the 15th.
Megillat Esther is read with Ashkenazi cantillation.
Costumes and groggers are common.
Hamantaschen may be served.
Mishloach Manot can range from simple food packages to elaborate baskets.
The main halachic obligations are the same as those observed by Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in Jerusalem.
Sephardic Shushan Purim Customs
Sephardic Jews in Jerusalem celebrate on the same date but may use different melodies and family traditions.
The Megillah may be read with Sephardic cantillation.
There may be less noise during Haman’s name in some communities.
Families may prepare traditional Sephardic foods and sweets.
Mishloach Manot may contain foods connected to family traditions from Morocco, Turkey, Greece, the Balkans, North Africa, or other Sephardic communities.
The mitzvah itself remains the same.
Mizrahi Shushan Purim Customs
Mizrahi Jews in Jerusalem also observe the 15th of Adar as Purim.
Iraqi, Persian, Syrian, Kurdish, Yemenite, and other communities may preserve their own Megillah melodies.
Family meals may include foods connected with the community’s place of origin.
Older piyutim and songs may also be used.
Many Mizrahi communities follow Sephardic halachic rulings while preserving distinctive melodies and family traditions.
Different Customs, One Jerusalem
Shushan Purim in Jerusalem provides a beautiful example of Jewish diversity.
An Ashkenazi synagogue may sound very different from a Sephardic synagogue.
A Yemenite Megillah reading may sound completely different from either one.
The food on the tables may come from Poland, Morocco, Iraq, Iran, or dozens of other Jewish traditions.
Yet everyone is celebrating the same rescue of Am Yisrael.
They are all reading the same Megillah.
They are all thanking HaShem.
They are all celebrating Purim in Jerusalem.
Is Work Permitted?
Shushan Purim is not a Yom Tov with the work restrictions of Shabbat, Pesach, or Sukkot.
Driving and ordinary weekday activities are generally permitted.
However, there is a traditional custom to avoid unnecessary work during the day when possible.
The goal is to give proper attention to the mitzvot and celebration.
In Jerusalem, schools and businesses may have special schedules because Purim is such a significant community event.
The Hidden Presence of HaShem
One of the most important themes of Shushan Purim is the same as Purim generally.
HaShem’s name does not appear explicitly in Megillat Esther.
Yet the entire story contains events that fit together in remarkable ways.
Esther becomes queen.
Mordechai discovers a plot.
The king cannot sleep.
Haman’s plan turns against him.
The Jewish people survive.
From an Orthodox perspective, Purim teaches us that HaShem can be present even when we cannot clearly see what He is doing.
V’Nahapoch Hu — ונהפוך הוא
The Megillah says:
ונהפוך הוא
V’nahapoch hu.
“It was turned around.”
This idea is at the heart of Purim.
A day meant for Jewish destruction became a day of Jewish celebration.
Haman intended to kill Mordechai, but Haman was ultimately executed on the structure he had prepared for Mordechai.
The Jews were supposed to become victims, but they were allowed to defend themselves.
Shushan Purim celebrates that complete reversal.
Shushan Purim and Jerusalem
For an Orthodox Jew, celebrating Shushan Purim in Jerusalem carries an additional meaning.
Jerusalem is not simply another city where Purim happens to fall on a different day.
It is the historic and spiritual center of Am Yisrael.
The city appears throughout Tanakh.
It was the location of the Beit HaMikdash.
Jews throughout the world face Jerusalem in prayer.
Shushan Purim adds another layer to the city’s unique Jewish calendar.
Shushan Purim for Someone New to Jewish Observance
Someone who is in Jerusalem for their first Shushan Purim does not need to know every detail before participating.
Attend a Megillah reading.
Listen to the story.
Give some money to people in need.
Prepare Mishloach Manot for another person.
Join a Purim meal.
Ask questions.
Enjoy seeing Jerusalem celebrate.
If you do not know the prayers or customs, tell someone.
Most people were taught these things by someone else at some point in their lives.
There is no reason to feel embarrassed about learning.
A Tevel Zion Lesson From Shushan Purim
Shushan Purim teaches us something especially meaningful about Jewish community.
Most Jews celebrate Purim on one day.
Jerusalem celebrates it on another.
Yet nobody believes Jerusalem is celebrating a different Jewish story.
The date is different, but the people remain connected.
Jewish life has always contained differences.
We have Ashkenazi customs.
We have Sephardic traditions.
We have Mizrahi communities.
We have Jews who are deeply observant and Jews who are still learning where they belong.
Unity does not require everyone to be identical.
Shushan Purim also reminds us that a situation can change.
Someone who feels completely disconnected from Jewish life today may become deeply involved tomorrow.
A person who feels nervous about walking into a synagogue may eventually be the person welcoming someone else.
A Jew who believes they are alone may discover an entire community waiting for them.
The Megillah teaches us not to assume that the situation we see today is the end of the story.
HaShem may be working in ways we do not yet understand.
Our responsibility is to do what we can.
Invite someone.
Give tzedakah.
Share food.
Teach what you know.
Ask what you do not know.
Celebrate together.
Shushan Purim reminds us that when Jews support one another and remember HaShem, even a day that began with fear can eventually become a day of joy.
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