9. The fifteenth of Adar is called Shushan Purim (1). [On this day,] the "Tachanun" prayers and the passages "E-l erech apayim" and "Lam'natzeach" should not be recited. It is also forbidden to recite eulogies ("hesped") or to fast on this day, and it is customary to engage in a certain amount of feasting ("mishteh") and rejoicing ("simcha"). One does not, however, insert the "Al Hanissim" into the prayers and blessings.

One is permitted to hold a wedding [on the fifteenth], since we do not read the Megillah on that day. However, on the day we read the Megillah (that is, the fourteenth), which is the day on which the essential dimension of the Purim celebration ("ikkar ha'simcha") takes place, weddings should not be held because it is improper to mix one celebration with another ("eyn me'arvin simcha be'simcha") (2).

FOOTNOTES:

(1) The Jews of the City of Shushan achieved final victory against their enemies on the fifteenth of Adar, and thus held their celebrations on that day, one day later than the Jews throughout the rest of the Persian empire. Shushan (along with any city which had a wall at the time that Joshua conquered the Land of Israel in 1272 BCE), read the Megillah on the 15th.

(2) See Mishna Berura 696:28.

Paragraph 8

Table of Contents

Paragraph 10

Halacha-Yomi, Copyright © 2004 Torah.org