The Gemara in Megillah (7b) explicitly states that it is incumbent upon all to drink on Purim until he cannot differentiate between Arur Haman and Baruch Mordechai. This sugya analyzes this unique mitzvah and its parameters.

Among the questions discussed:

• ·         Is drinking a way of enhancing the Purim seudah, or is it an independent obligation?
• ·         If the obligation pertains only to drinking during the seudah, is drinking outside of the seudah condoned?
• ·         Is drinking on Purim night included (assuming there’s no chiyuv seudah by night)?
• ·         Is there a real Mitzvah of Simcha on Purim – as on other Yomim Tovim where drinking wine and eating meat, is clearly part of the Mitzvah of Simcha?
• ·         Must one wash for a seudah on Purim?
• ·         On Shabbos and Yomtov the main chiyuv seudah is during the day ; however, there is also a minor chiyuv seudah at night.  Does the same apply to Purim?
• ·         How do we understand this unique shiur regarding when to stop drinking – is it a gauge of when to stop, or is it a specific inyan to reach that state of mind (i.e. not being able to differentiate between Arur Haman and Baruch Mordechai)?
• ·         Does one Bentch again if Al Hanissim was omitted?
• ·         Why is there no Halachic problem to get married on Purim (while it is not permitted on other Yomim Tovim and Chol Hamoed)?  Why doesn’t the regular precept of Ein Me’arvin Simcha B’simcha apply?