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Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Purim is preceded by the Fast of Esther, which begins at dawn on the 13th of Adar and continues until nightfall. This year it falls out on Thursday March 25th. It is forbidden to eat and drink on this day (contrary to Yom Kippur one may, however, shower, and wear leather shoes). A woman that is within 24 months of giving birth or breastfeeding is not obligated in this specific fast.

Saturday night February 28th, 2010
For those that live outside of Jerusalem the Megillah reading will take place on Saturday night and Sunday morning.In Jerusalem the reading will take place this year on Sunday night and Monday morning.MEN, WOMEN and CHILDREN (that will not interfere with the reading) are obligated to attend, since this is a miracle that transpired to the Nation of Israel as a whole. Since one must hear the reading from a Megilah that is halachikly kosher, it is important to follow along with the Chazzan,however one must make sure that they are not reading out-loud -only listen. If one were to read from a book or a scroll that is not kosher,they have not fulfilled their requirement.It is very important to be there on time!

Sunday morning, February 29th, 2010
1. You should go back to the synagogue in the morning for Shacharit to hear the Megilah once again
2. It’s a holiday! Festive moment for the Jewish People – celebrate the special occasion make it family time !
3. You can drive your car, turn on lights and so on…this is not Shabbat or Yom-Tov.
4. Mishloach Manot – You must buy two kinds of foods for one of you friends and give it to them (it is suggested to send it to someone that you need to “amend” your relationship with). For example, give a little chocolate and cookie or fruit to one of your friends. Men give to men, women to women
5. Matanot LaEvyonim – Men and Women must give a minimum of 5$ tzedaka (ask the Rabbi on Saturday night about the exact amount)
6. ALSO, VERY IMPORTANT: You must have a seouda/meal with meat and wine! Men should drink so much that they get drunk or get so tired, they go to sleep. Make it feast! Invite your friends and family.Most important enjoy!

I. The Period Preceding Purim

A. There are four Parshiot [Torah Portions] that are read in this time period.

1. Shekalim
2. Zachor
3. Parah
4. haChodesh

B. The Shabbat before Purim is Shabbat Zachor. According to The Rambam Hilchot Tefillah 13:20 and the Shulchan Aruch one is fulfilling a Mitsvah of Biblical Status when hearing Parshat Zachor. It is for this reason that one should make sure to hear it read from a Sefer Torah that is on a high level of Kashrut Standards and according to the cantolation of the Sephardic Minhag. [According to numerous halachic authorities, Parshat Parah is also min HaTorah, therefore the laws mentioned above should be followed for it as well.]

C. Due to its level of importance, there are numerous points that one should be meticulous of:

• One should not verbalize the words when hearing them from the Chazzan since they are not reading from a kosher Sefer Torah, but rather a chumash or the like.
• One should make sure to hear every word from the Chazzan.
• There are halachik opinions that hold that it can only be read in a minyan.
• If a woman missed it on Shabbat, she can go to Bet Knesset and hear Kriat HaTorah when it is read later on in the year and fulfill the mitzvah of zechirat Amalek. Although this most precious mitsvah is not time bound and one might think that women are obligated in hearing it,the truth is that the hearing of the Torah portion is rooted in the obligation of the men to go to war with the Evil nation of Amalek.This being so  women do not go to war, they are technically  also absolved from the obligation to hear Parshat Zachor.The Halachik authorities stress that spiritually there is a tremendous benefit for women to hear if they can.

Laws Regarding Taanit Esther (Fast of Ester)

1. This fast was enacted in the times of Mordechai and Ester in order to plea for survival of the city of Shushan on the 13th of Adar, it stems from the verse in the Megilah 9:31  ”As they accepted upon themselves and their offspring the words of this fast”

2. Minhag of the Sephardim, see Shulchan Aruch 554:5, that women that are pregnant for more than three months, a women that is less then three months pregnant but ill, nauseous etc, women that have given birth within 24 months or women that are breastfeeding do not fast. Some Ashekenazic Poskim say they should fast if they feel they can do so.

3. The fast begins at the dawn of the 13th of Adar and ends at Tset Hakochavim [when the stars come out], however unless it is a pressing situation, one eats only after the reading of the Megilah [Outside of Jerusalem]

4. Children, generally do not fast, if they are of age of  Chinuch, closer to 12 for a girl and 13 for a boy, they may fast a few hours. But even that is not suggested from Sephardic poskim

5. One that is sick to the extent that they are bedridden and need to eat may do so on Taanit Ester

6. A mohel, Sandak and Father of the baby are patur from fasting if the Brit is on the 13th

7. Chattan v’kallah [bride and groom] that are within 7 days of their wedding do not fast

Machtist HaShekel

4. It is customary to include women, children and even babies in the womb for this valuable mitsvah. The Ashkenazi custom is that women don’t give.

II. General Halachot of Purim

A. It is proper to wear Shabbat clothing on Purim and to set the table as you would for Shabbat, on the day of Purim and the night preceding it.

B. You should refrain from doing unnecessary, complex work on Purim. The Halachic authorities mention that one that does Melacha [work] on Purim, does not see blessing in it.

i. This applies only to Purim day, not the night before.

ii. The following is allowed: Writing, work to prevent a financial loss, works that doesn’t involve effort, and work done in honour of Purim.

iii. The tradition of the Sepharadim prohibits getting a haircut on Purim [there are those that permit if done with a non-jew]. Some Ashkenaz posikim permit it. If it falls out on Friday in the honour of Shabbat one is permitted. Sephardic authorities permit shaving and cutting ones nails. While some of Bnei Ashkenaz are stringent.

C. Women do not have an obligation to become intoxecated. There are opinions that even men can fulfill this obligation by drinking more than their normal amount and then going to sleep. One may become merry by drinking beverages other than wine.

D. During the silent Amidah in Shachrit,Mincah and Arvit as well as the Birkat haMazon/Grace after meals the Al haNissim is added. If one forget to say it, don’t repeat the Birkat Hamazon or Tefillah.Both men and women are obligated in this addition. It is only once a year- so don’t forget!

E. Purim on Friday:

1. You may prepare for Shabbat as you normally do.
2. You may cut your fingernails before Shabbat.
3. It is proper to eat the seudah before midday.

III. Reading  of the Megilah

A. General

1. It is a mitsvah to read the Megilah on the night before Purim and the day of. Outside of Jerusalem that falls out on the 13th and 14th . In Jerusalem that applies on the 14th and 15th.

2. One has the entire night to read/hear it being read (from Tset haKochavim [stars come out] until dawn and again on the day time, from Sunrise until Sunset).

3. Everyone is obligated in the reading/hearing of the Megilah: men, women, children, one that is blind or deaf , converts, etc…

B. Blessings of the Megilah

1. Before the reading of the Megilah, there are three blessings:

I. Al Mikreh Megilah

II. Sh’Assah Nissim

III. Shecheyanu

2. Minhag bnei Ashkenaz is to recite all three Berachot during the day as well, Bnei Sepharad leave out Shechyanu.

3. Upon completion there is one Beracha recited – Ha’el Harav et Rivenu.[One recites this beracha in the presence of a minyan only, if one is reading for women and there are 10 women he proceeds to recite it as well.]

4. One that is reading for others , can make all of the berachot even though they heard the Megillah already

5. Due to the fact that the Megillah is sanctifying the name of the Almighty, it praiseworthy to read it , or join a minyan with as many people as possible.

6. Half an hour before the reading of the Megillah [at night one is fasting regardless], one is prohibited to eat the volume of 56grams of bread or cake. Everything else is muttar minhadin It is praiseworthy however not to eat anything 1/2 hour before the time starts to read the Megillah.

7. Minhag Bnei Sepharad is not to deviate from the berachot mentioned above when reading for women, however Minhag Bnei Ashkenazz varies; according to the Mishna Brura the proper bracha is “lishmoas mikra Megilla.” Other Ashenazi Poskim say that the regular nusach should be said. There fore it is best for each woman to make this bracha for herself.

8. You should not speak during the bracha, nor answer “Baruch Hu ubaruch Shemo.” You shouldn’t speak between the end of the bracha and the beginning of the reading, nor between the end of the reading and the after bracha.

9. The Megillah is unrolled and folded  in its entirety, while it is read.

10. When hearing the Shehechiyanu, one should have in mind not only the mitsvah of the Megillah, but also Matanot la’evyonim, mishloach Manot and the seudah.

C. General Halachot of Megillah

a) Women are obligated to hear the Megillah at night and during the day.

b) According to Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, if a man who has already heard the Megilla is reading for a group of women, the proper thing to do would be for one of the women to make the brachos for all the rest (and they should answer amen on the brachos). The proper bracha for her to make is “l’shmoah Megilla.”

c) You can read or hear the Megilla while sitting. It is best to stand when the brachot of the Megillah are said.

d) If you don’t have a kosher Megilla in front of you, you should not read along with the reader, but should simply listen and follow inside a Chumash.

e) The Minhag Bnei Ashkenaz  is that everyone says the ‘aseret bnei Haman’ (Haman’s ten sons) Bnei Sepharad is that only the Chazzan recites it. They should be said in one breath. There are four psukim that are also read first by the congregation and then by the Chazan: ‘ish Yehudi haya,’ ‘uMordechai yatza milifnei hamelech,’ ‘laYehudim haysa,’ and the last pasuk of the Megillah.

f) There are also two psukim that the Chazon repeats because we are uncertain of their exact nusach.

g) The Megilla must be read or heard in its entirety and in the correct order. If you missed even one word, you must hear the Megilla again. Therefore, if you don’t hear something, you should immediately read it yourself, even from a Chumash. The missed part should be said loud enough to be heard.

h) One should refrain from speaking during the reading of the Megilla.

IV. Mishloah Manot, Matanot L’evyonim, and the Purim Meal

1. These Mitzvot should be done on Purim itself and not beforehand

2. Women are obligated to fulfill these Mitzvohs as well as men

3. Mishloach Manot should be done only men to men or women to women

4. Matanot L’evyonim may be given from a woman to a man and vice versa

Mishloach Manot

1. It says in the Megillah ,9:22 “La’Asot Otam Yimei Mishteh  V’Simacha Umishloach Manot Ish Lerayhu” there are two reasons for this:

I. It says 3:8 – “Yeshno am Mifuzar Umefurad” , serving as a tikun for the lack of unity.

II. There are those that do  not have food for the meal and this can serve as a meal for them

2. This mitsvah applies to all . [Men ,Women ,Children etc.]

3. One sends at least two different types  of  foods to one person.

4. Ideally one should give food that is eatable upon receiving it. However B’diavad one is Yotseh even if the food needs preparation. The foods may be solid, liquid, or a combination of both. Yet the Sephardic Poskim bring down that ideally it should be comprised of two foods.

5. Canned foods may be sent.

6. The Ben Ish Hai  is of the opinion that each of the two foods should be in a separate container, however this is merely a stringency and is not necessarily  the minhag.

7. As far as the main Mitzvah goes, you should send only to a person with whom some previous friendship existed.

8. The receiver must be aware of the identity of the sender.

9. It is traditional to send the Manot via a messenger (even a minor may be used for this), but this isn’t required (Chazon Ish and R’ Moshe).

10. The Manot should be sent on Purim day and not at night.

Matanot L’evyonim

1. It says in the Megillah 9:22 “LaAsot Otam Yimei Mishteh Vesimcha umishloach Manot Ish Lereyhu  uMatanot Levyoninm. “

2. Our sages derived that from uMatanot L’evyonim [plural form] one should give gifts/money to at least two poor people.

3. One fulfils the mitsvah on the most basic level with any amount that he gives.

4. Men, Women, children above Bar/Bat Mitsvah are obligated in this Mitsvah.

5. You can appoint a messenger (before or during Purim) to give the food or money for you on the day of Purim. If a woman wants her husband to give for her, it is better that he have this specifically in mind when he gives the money. He should simply inform her that he is doing so. The same applies to a father for his daughters.

6. You should be certain that the money that you are giving is your own.

7. It isn’t necessary for the poor person to know the identity of the sender (nor does he have to know that it is Matanot L’evyonim).

8. You should give to people celebrating Purim on the same day as you are.

9. Many Poskim say that the definition of an “evyon” is anyone who has less than he requires for his support.

10. Even though the rule on Purim is that “kol haposhet yad nosnim lo,” this is not considered as Matanot la’evyonim.

11. Many Poskim say that you should give enough money for a minimal Purim meal (bread), which would mean a couple of shekalim/dollars.

12. Maaser money should not be used for this, but you can use Maaser money to supplement the minimum amount if you want to give more.

The Purim Festive Meal

1. The source is in the megila 9:22 “laAsot Otam Yimei  Mishteh Usimcha-To make them [these days] into days of festivity and joy”

2. The meal is to be performed during the day and all are obligated to partake in it.

3. It is proper to have a larger-than-normal supper Purim eve. Some people refrain from eating meat that evening.

4. Minhag Bnei Sepharad is that the meal should include bread , Minhag bnei Ashkenaz is that it is obligatory.

5. Wine should be used. Some Poskim say that you must eat beef and not just poultry. You aren’t required to eat what you dislike, but should at least drink a bit of wine in memory of the miracle. If wine is bad for your health, you don’t have to drink it.

6. Candles should be lit (without a bracha) in honor of the meal.

7. Some have a Minhag to eat chickpeas or seeds on Purim in remembrance to the fact that all Queen Ester could eat was seeds and the like.

8. One should remember to include Al haNissim in the Birkat haMazon

9. If the meal extended until the night, and one did not pray Aarvit , they recite Al haNissim. However if one prayed Arvit , they do not recite it , because halachikly they ended their holiday.

The following Halachot apply if you go from one place to another:

1. A resident of a place outside Jerusalem who goes to Jerusalem on the day of Shushan Purim has none of the obligations of a Jerusalem resident. If he goes the 14th of Adar and spends Shushan Purim in Jerusalem, he has the obligations of a Jerusalem resident.

2. A resident of Jerusalem who goes somewhere else on the 13th/14th of Adar has the obligations of a non-Jerusalem resident. If he returns to Jerusalem on the 14th, he has the additional obligations of a Jerusalem resident.