One of the Misvot of Purim is Seudat Purim, the festive Purim feast. The proper time for the Seudah is during the day of Purim, as the Pasuk in the Megila emphasizes, "Y’meh Mishteh"-days of feasting. If one conducted the Seudah on Purim eve, he has not fulfilled his obligation. One should also insure that the majority of the meal is completed before sunset. It is interesting to note that Rabenu HaRashash (Rav Shalom Sharabi, Master Kabbalist, 1720-1777, Yemen) held that the Seudah should be held in the morning Purim. This is, in fact, how Hacham Ovadia conducted himself. Nevertheless, the overwhelming custom is to have the Seudah in the afternoon.
There is no absolute requirement to have bread at the Seudah, in accordance with the opinion of the Magen Avraham (Rabbi Abraham Gombiner, Poland, 1637-1682) and the Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1807) . Nevertheless, it is praiseworthy to do so. It is a Misva to serve meat. The Rama cites a custom to eat "Zironim"-seeds, on Purim. This was Esther’s and Daniel’s diet while in the non-Jewish royal court, and commemorates their perseverance to eat only Kosher food. Hacham Ovadia held that this custom is observed on Purim eve.
DRINKING WINE
There is a misva to drink more than one’s accustomed quantity of wine at the Seudah. The Rambam formulates this misva as drinking enough wine to become drowsy and fall asleep. All poskim agree that one should not drink a quantity of wine that will cause him to become lax in Avodat Hashem. Hacham Ben Sion (Ohr Lesion Vol. 4) qualified that which the Shulhan Aruch rules to become drunk until one cannot differentiate between "Baruch Mordehai" and "Arur Haman," as reserved only for people on a high spiritual level. Not everyone can assume that mantle. While women are obligated in Seudat Purim, they should not partake in the drinking.
AL HANISIM
In the Birkat Hamazon, "Al Hanisim" is inserted. If one forgot to say "Al Hanisim," he does not go back and repeat the Birkat Hamazon. One should be sure to remember this addition, because there is the minority opinion of the Rashal (Rav Shlomo Luria, 1510-1573, Europe) that if one forgot "Al Hanisim" at the Seudah, he must go back and repeat the Birkat Hamzaon.
Maran in Shulhan Aruch brings two opinions as to whether one adds "Al Hanisim" if the Seudah continued into the night. The Halacha is in accordance with the "Stam," unattributed opinion that one does say Al Hanisim. Hacham Ben Sion adds one caveat; this only applies if one ate a Kezayit of bread before sunset. However, if one prayed Arbit in the middle of the Seudah, Hacham Ovadia ruIed that this constitutes a declaration that the day of Purim has already passed, and, therefore, it would be inconsistent to then say "Al Hanisim in the Birkat Hamazon." The best practice is to wait until after the Seudah to pray Arbit.
The entire family should treat the holiday of Purim with the dignity accorded to Shabbat. Everyone should wear Shabbat clothes, both at night and during the day, and the table should be set in a festive manner.
While it is always praiseworthy to say Divre Torah during the meal, on Purim it is even more important to do so. The Pasuk says "LaYehudim Hayta Orah V’Simcha." The Rabbis explain that "Orah," refers to Torah, and "Simcha" refers to the Purim rejoicing. There should be the light of Torah during the Purim festivities.
