Purim 2027

Purim 2027 Dates

Purim 5787 (2027) begins on Monday evening, March 22, 2027, at sunset, marking the beginning of 14 Adar. The holiday ends on Tuesday evening, March 23, 2027, after nightfall.

In Jerusalem and other cities that were surrounded by walls in the time of Joshua, Purim is celebrated one day later, on Shushan Purim.

Purim in Jerusalem begins on Tuesday evening, March 23, 2027, at sunset (15 Adar), and continues until nightfall on Wednesday, March 24, 2027.

The Fast of Esther (Ta’anit Esther)

The 13th of Adar, the day before Purim, is known as the Fast of Esther.

On this day, Jews fast from dawn until nightfall, recite special Selichot prayers, and devote time to prayer and spiritual reflection.

The fast commemorates the fasting and prayers of the Jewish people during the time of Mordechai and Esther, as they prepared to confront their enemies.

It is also customary to give charity on this day as a remembrance of the Machatzit HaShekel, the half-shekel contribution.

In 2027 (5787), the Fast of Esther falls on Monday, March 22, 2027.

📖 Click here to learn more about the Fast of Esther, including when the fast begins and ends.

Megillah Reading on Purim

During Purim, Jews read Megillat Esther (the Book of Esther), which tells the story of the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people from the wicked Haman.

In Purim 5787, the first Megillah reading takes place on Monday evening, March 22, 2027, after nightfall. The Megillah is read again the following day, Tuesday, March 23, 2027.

In Jerusalem and other cities that were surrounded by walls in the time of Joshua, the Megillah is read one day later, on Shushan Purim: Tuesday evening, March 23, and Wednesday, March 24, 2027.

❓ Click here for everything you need to know about the Megillah reading in 2027.

📜 Click here to read Megillat Esther online.

What Happened on Purim?

Purim commemorates the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people during the Persian Empire, under the rule of King Ahasuerus (Achashverosh).

The word “Purim” comes from the Persian word “Pur,” meaning “lot.”

The wicked Haman cast lots to determine the date on which the Jewish people would be destroyed. The date selected was the 13th of Adar.

Through extraordinary Divine Providence, a great miracle occurred: the decree was overturned, and the Jewish people were saved through the actions of Queen Esther and Mordechai the Jew.

This miracle unfolded through a series of seemingly natural events. In Chassidic teachings, it is described as a “miracle concealed within nature.”

Click here to read the complete Purim story, as recorded in Megillat Esther.

The 4 Mitzvahs of Purim

Our Sages established four central mitzvahs through which we celebrate Purim:

• Matanot LaEvyonim (Gifts to the Poor): Give charitable gifts to at least two needy people on Purim day.

• Mishloach Manot (Food Gifts): Give a package containing at least two different ready-to-eat foods or drinks to another person. Men give to men, and women give to women.

• Mishteh V’Simcha (Festive Meal and Celebration): Celebrate Purim with a festive daytime meal and drink more wine than one normally would throughout the year.

• Mikra Megillah (Reading the Megillah): Hear the reading of Megillat Esther on Purim night and once again during the following day.

Purim Costumes

It is a widespread Jewish custom to dress up in costumes and wear masks on Purim.

This tradition is connected to the concept of V’nahafoch Hu (“and it was reversed”), symbolizing the dramatic transformation from mourning and sorrow to joy and salvation.

Similarly, Mordechai, who wore mourning clothes during Haman’s decree, later exchanged them for royal garments after the decree was overturned, emphasizing the extraordinary reversal of events.

❕ Click here to learn more about the reasons and deeper meaning behind the custom of wearing costumes on Purim.

Special Purim Customs

Eating Hamantaschen (Oznei Haman)

A traditional Jewish custom on Purim is to eat Hamantaschen, also known in Hebrew as Oznei Haman.

These are triangular pastries made from dough and filled with sweet fillings.

Learn more about the meaning and reasons behind the custom of eating Hamantaschen on Purim.

Purim Graggers (Noisemakers)

During the Megillah reading, when the name of the wicked Haman is mentioned, children—and sometimes adults—traditionally make noise using graggers (noisemakers), symbolically blotting out his name.

According to Chabad custom, noise is made only when Haman’s name is mentioned together with a descriptive title, such as “Haman the Wicked” or “Haman the Agagite,” rather than at every mention of his name during the Megillah reading.

Wearing Shabbat Clothes on Purim

It is customary to wear festive clothing on Purim as a sign of respect for the holiday and to express the joy of the occasion.

Working on Purim

It is customary to refrain from ordinary work on Purim.

Jewish law also teaches that a person who performs ordinary work on Purim will not see blessing from the money earned that day.

However, work necessary for the needs of the holiday is permitted, and there are additional circumstances in which work may be allowed.

For practical questions, it is recommended to consult a qualified rabbi.

Purim Prayers

During the three daily prayers and in Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals), the special V’Al Hanissim prayer is added to thank Hashem for the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people on Purim.

Tefillin are worn on Purim, unlike Shabbat and major Jewish festivals (Yom Tov), when tefillin are not worn.