When Purim Falls Out On Friday

• Normally, we try not to cut nails and hair on Purim. This year, because it’s also Erev Shabbos, nails may be cut.
  • Haircuts should not be taken. If truly necessary, it can be done by a goy.
  • Shaving should be done on Taanis Esther, lechavod Purim.
• There is a mitzva to go into Shabbos feeling hungry. Therefore, one should not have a large meal on Erev Shabbos.
• A Seudas Mitzvah may be eaten on Erev Shabbos.
• Preferably, bread should be eaten, but in a case of difficulty it is not required.
• Preferably, meat should be eaten, but chicken is also acceptable. Dairy is not recommended but it’s acceptable.
• In all situations, regardless of when the meal started, one has to stop eating and drinking at sunset. One may resume eating after kiddush.
• There are three options regarding when to have the Seuda:
• The best option is to wash before midday. Midday will be approximately 1:05 pm in N.Y.
• The next best option is to wash before nine hours into the day. In NY, this time is at 4:02 or 4:43, depending on the opinion.
• If necessary, one may wash until sunset, but should not eat too much bread.
• In all of the above options, if one is in the middle of the meal and the sun sets (Shabbos comes in), and they would like to continue eating, they should:
  1) Cover over the bread that’s on the table.
  2) Pour new cup of wine.
  3) Recite kiddush for Friday night without the Bracha of Borei Pri Hagafen (unless one hasn’t had wine at the meal).
  4) Eat an eggs-worth of bread.
  • After following these steps, one may continue his meal.
  • If no bread was eaten after a half-hour after sunset, Ritzei should not be said, only Al Hanisim.
  • If bread was eaten after a half-hour after sunset, Ritzei should be said10. In this case, Al Hanisim should be recited at the end of the Horachamans, and not in its proper place
• Kabolas Shabbos may be said whenever one wants.
  • One should not forget to daven maariv. This process explained above is called פורס מפה ומקדש which means, covering the bread and making kiddush in middle of a meal.
• In all of the above scenarios, if one davened Maariv in middle of the meal, Al Hanisim can no longer be said.

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