** Go to www.dailyhalacha.com and click on ‘Matanot La’evyonim’ to fulfill the misva of giving to the needy on Purim, and have Rabbi Eli Mansour distribute the funds for you. **
One of the obligations of Purim is the conduct a "Se'uda," a festive meal with bread, meat and wine. When during the festival of Purim is the most preferable time for eating the Se'uda?
The Terumat Ha'deshen (work of responsa by Rabbi Yisrael Isserlin, Germany, 1390-1460), in a famous responsum, records a custom to begin eating the Purim meal shortly before sundown on Purim day and extending the meal well into the night. This responsum addresses the question of whether such a practice is valid, given that the majority of the meal takes place after dark, once Purim has already ended. The Terumat Ha'deshen concludes by justifying the custom, writing that so long as one partakes of a Ke'zayit of bread as well as some meat and wine before sundown, he fulfills his obligation even if the meal extends well into the night. He adds that this practice likely developed due to people's busy schedules on the day of Purim, which included distributing Mishlohei Manot (food packages to friends) and gifts to the poor, and listening to the Megila. As these activities occupy most of the day of Purim, it is legitimate to begin the Se'uda late in the day, shortly before sundown.
The Rama (Rabbi Moshe Isserles, Poland, 1525-1572) presents a different view, namely, that the Se'uda should take place during the early afternoon hours on Purim, such that the majority of the meal is conducted before sundown. He adds that one should preferably recite Minha early in the afternoon (the time known as "Minha Gedola"), before beginning the Se'uda, in order to ensure that he prays Minha properly. The Sages commented that a prayer recited while under intoxication constitutes an "abomination," and one should therefore make a point to recite Minha before beginning the Purim meal, when he may become inebriated.
Yet a third view is that of the Kabbalistic tradition, which taught that the Purim Se'uda should be held specifically during the morning hours on Purim. It is in the morning when the spiritual "lights" of the holiday are at their strongest, and thus one should, according to this view, eat the Purim meal specifically during this period. The Gaon of Vilna (Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna, 1720-1797) held that on Purim morning one should eat and drink a bit more than he normally does in the morning, and have in mind to fulfill the obligation of the Purim meal with that eating. One thereby satisfies the view of the Kabbalists, and also ensures to fulfill his obligation in case he does not have the opportunity to eat a meal later in the day.
As for the final Halacha, all three customs are firmly based upon reliable sources, and are therefore all acceptable. In any event, one must ensure to fulfill this obligation and have a festive meal on Purim with his family. This meal should be accompanied by joy and celebration, but not frivolity and silliness. The verse in Tehillim (2:11) instructs, "Serve God with joy, and rejoice with trembling." Even as we celebrate joyous occasions, we must still retain a sense of "trembling," of awe and reverence towards the Almighty. Thus, although we must certainly rejoice and enjoy the Purim celebration, we must do so in atmosphere of Kedusha (sanctity), and not in one of frivolity and inappropriate behavior.
Summary: There is an obligation to eat a festive meal on Purim, and three different views exist as to when the meal should take place: right before sundown extending into the night; in the morning; in the early afternoon. All three customs are valid and acceptable.
**It should be noted, that when Purim falls out on Erev Shabbat, one must ensure not to interfere his Oneg Shabbat and leave himself ‘full’ as Shabbat begins. Therefore, it is customary on such a Friday to start the festive meal before Hatzot (mid-day), which this year, 2008/5768, mid-day in Brooklyn NY is at 1:03 PM. (For more on this topic see the Daily Halacha entitled "Meals on Erev Shabbat.")
