Q. Dear Rabbi we so appreciate your questions and answers, because of the anonymity and openness provided. If it wasn’t there many, specially women, would be concerned and afraid to ask question.
We had an unusual situation in our family last Friday, Shushan Purim.
It was an occasion of great need of work, no only to cleanup after Purim, but also to prepare for Shabbos. Yet one of our daughters that learns in Bais Yaakov, insisted that women are not supposed to do work on Shushan Purim. Is there some truth to such an Halacha?
A. Surprisingly in Shulchan Aruch, Darchei Moshe (O.H. 696: 2), Beer Heitev (3) quotes Maharil and Avudraham that there is a source for this prohibition. Nitei Gavriel (p. 180) also quotes opinions that women abstain from melochos on Shushan Purim, including Yalkut Meam Loez on Esther (p. 248: 2) that mentions it is a great sin.
However as Horav Pam Shlit’a pointed out, all work that is permitted on Yom Tov and done for Shabbos needs, is certainly not included.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a