Purim Halachic Digest 5786 — Mayan Yisroel
Compiled by Rabbi Yoseph Vigler & Rabbi Mendel Zirkind
Edited by Rabbi Y. Zirkind ע"ה
לעילוי נשמת הרב יצחק בן הרב אליעזר צבי זאב צירקינד ז”ל
“משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה”. We increase in joy throughout the month of Adar, because judgement was transformed into compassion . Accordingly, we enhance joyous activities, including music and dancing, during this month.
Legal matters involving non-Jews are considered especially favorable during the month of Adar, as the mazal of the Jewish people is strong at this time..
Adar is also regarded as an auspicious time for weddings..
The Shabbos preceding Purim (תצוה), we read Parshas Zachor , fulfilling the mitzvah to remember what Amalek did to us.
The following Shabbos, (כי תשא), we lain Parshas Para.
On the subsequent Shabbos, Shabbos Mevorchim, we read Parshas Hachodesh .
There are differing customs regarding the recitation of אב הרחמים on Parshas Zachor and Parshas Parah.
For שנים מקרא ואחד תרגום, only the regular weekly Parsha is reviewed; the additional Parshiyos are not included.
📘 If the Congregation Forgot the Extra Parsha of ד' פרשיות at Shacharis
(The following applies only where the weekly Parsha was read and the additional Parsha was omitted.)
If They Realized the Same Shabbos
• Before Mincha Gedolah: The Sefer Torah should be removed and the omitted Parsha read immediately (Procedure detailed below.)
• After Mincha Gedolah, once Shacharis has concluded: Some Poskim rule the reading may no longer be made that day. Others permit reading it at Mincha.
Practical ruling: It may be read, but without reciting a Bracha.
Parshas Zachor has additional considerations (see below).
May It Be Made Up the Following Shabbos?
As a rule, no. Once the established time has passed, the reading cannot be replaced.
Many Poskim, however, write that Parshas Parah is different . Since its purpose relates to preparation for Pesach, it retains relevance the following week.
Some conclude this distinction should be followed in practice.
May a Minyan Gather Solely to Read the Extra Parsha?
If the group did not hear the weekly Parsha, they may not assemble simply to read the additional Parsha.
Special Case – Parshas Zachor
Due to its Torah-level status, some Poskim allow Parshas Zachor to be read with a Bracha if a Minyan gathers, even if they did not hear the weekly Parsha. Other authorities maintain that if Mincha
Gedolah has already passed, it should be read without a Bracha.
If the Baal Korei Skipped a Possuk
If the omitted Possuk relates to the essential theme of that Parsha, the congregation has not fulfilled its obligation
If the verse does not affect the core subject matter, one is Yotzei.
Some Poskim maintain that even if a verse was skipped, one is Yotzei in all cases
Hearing Parshas Zachor according to most Poskim (and Parshas Para according to some) is a Torah obligation. Every effort should be made to hear it with a Minyan.
A child under bar mitzvah is not called for Maftir of Zachor, even for those who generally permit it.
Men refrain from המוציא, מזונות (and alcohol) more than a K’beitza (58 grams) before hearing laining.
If one missed Zachor, he may have in mind to fulfill the mitzvah during the Purim laining (and according to some, later during Ki Seitzei).
Women and girls should attend shul, as some hold they are obligated. If unable to attend, they may read from a Chumash..
A special laining for women is subject to halachic discussion - consult a Rov.
If an individual man missed Zachor, a Sefer Torah may be taken out for him (without a bracha), since his chiyuv is definitely דאורייתא.
If no minyan is available, Zachor should at least be read from a Chumash (or Sefer Torah) with the trop.
Have explicit intent to fulfill the mitzvah of remembering Amalek(, Since מצוות צריכות כוונה).
A Megillah is not muktzah on Shabbos for practice laining.
On Motzei Shabbos we say ויהי נועם and ואתה קדוש.
Monday, 13 Adar, תענית אסתר
Taanis Esther commemorates
The day the Jews fasted and davened to Hashem when they defended themselves from their enemies.
The 3 days Esther and the Jews of Shushan fasted during the month of Nissan for the success of Esther before King Achashverosh.
After going to sleep the night of the Taanis, even if you wake up in the middle of the night, you may not eat (but you may drink) - unless you stipulated beforehand or if you are always accustomed to wake up and eat.
Even if one didn’t go to sleep yet, it is forbidden to start eating המוציא or מזונות or alcoholic beverages (more than a Kebitza) from a half hour before Alos.
However, if one did eat after waking up, bedieved, as long as it is still before Alos, one still recites Anenu
Fast begins: 5:03am (NYC)
No brushing teeth / mouthwash, (unless one is very sensitive, and he should be careful not to swallow).
Ill individuals, Postpartum (within 30 days), pregnant or nursing women, and Chosson/Kallah during Sheva Berachos - need not fast.
If there is a bris, the father of the boy, the mohel and the Sandak, can eat after the bris. Some recommend waiting to have the seudah after reading the Megillah (after the fast).
Children under Bar/Bas Mitzvah need not fast. From age nine upwards, the minhag is to train children to fast partially, as per the child’s abilities. [But no need to be too strict on this.]
There are leniencies for those who find fasting difficult. A Rov should be consulted.
One who can, should fast, in order not to be Porash Min Hatzibur .
Those exempt should not eat for pleasure (e.g. meat, wine, nosh).
Slichos are said even by those who are not fasting.
The chazan says Anenu as a Bracha on its own before Refa’enu .
If he forgot to say Anenu:
if he remembered before reciting Hashem’s name at the end of Refa’enu, he recites Aneinu immediately, and then repeats the Bracha of Refa’enu;
if he remembered after concluding the Bracha of Refa’enu, he recites Aneinu in the Bracha of Shema Koleinu, ending the Bracha with a double conclusion, i.e. Ha’one B’eis Tzara V’shomea Tefillah
if he remembered after he already concluded the Bracha of Shema Koleinu, he recites Aneinu as a separate Bracha immediately after the Bracha of Sim Shalom.
The Gabbaim prepare 3 half shekel (half dollar) coins.
Some use half-dollar coins containing 9.6 grams of pure silver.
Ideally, one should give the current value of the silver - (approximately $10 for 9 grams although the amount fluctuates).
If silver half-dollar coins are unavailable, regular half-dollar coins may be used.
If half-dollars are not available, three one-dollar coins (or bills) may be substituted.
Some prioritize giving the funds to the poor, especially talmidei chachamim. Others give it to a Beis Medrash, a “miniature Beis HaMikdash,” thereby echoing the original Machatzis Hashekel.
Since Haman offered ten thousand silver coins to Achashverosh in order to destroy the Jewish people, we symbolically counter his act by giving coins to tzedakah.
We give three half-shekels, corresponding to: (a) The three times the word “Terumah” appears in the Possuk. (b) The three days that Esther and the Jewish people fasted.
Those above age twenty are obligated to give; Preferably begin from bar mitzvah.
Some authorities obligate women as well; the custom is that the husband gives on his wife’s behalf..
The prevalent custom is for a father to give 3 coins for each child. Some give only for sons; others include daughters. If his wife is pregnant, it is customary to give on behalf of the unborn child as well.
It is best to educate kids to give Machatzis Hashekel from their own money.
If a father began giving on behalf of a child without stipulating otherwise, he must continue each year. If he stops at any point, the child is obligated to begin giving independently.
The minimum amount of Machatzis Hashekel should not be taken from Ma’aser funds..
The parsha of ויחל is read.
Tachanun and Avinu Malkeinu are omitted.
Aneinu is recited in Shema Koleinu.
Anyone not fasting for whatever reason does not say Anenu .
If you forget to say Anenu , you say it after "אלוקי נצור", before the second "יהיו לרצון". If you forgot totally, you don’t go back and repeat Shmoneh Esrei.
You should only accept an aliya if you are fasting.
Even those who find fasting difficult should ideally fast until after the night Megillah reading. In cases of significant difficulty, limited leniencies (such as small snacks of fruit or beverages) may be relied upon.
Earliest and latest times for night Megillah reading
In extreme cases (e.g. when laining for someone who is ill,) one may lain, (with the brachos,) 4 minutes after sunset (5:52pm - NYC).
In absolute necessity one may lain, (with the brochos,) from plag hamincha (4:41pm - NYC).
This only applies where there is no choice. Therefore, anyone who is able to, should hear the megillah again at the proper time.
The Megillah may be read until Alos (5:01am - NYC).
Yom Tov clothing should be worn on Purim.
Children are encouraged to get into the spirit of Purim by dressing up in costumes.
Dressing up as, or portraying, Haman is not appropriate for chinuch..
Cross-dressing should be avoided, notwithstanding the existence of lenient opinions.
Care should be taken to ensure that costumes do not contain shatnez, particularly certain hats or military-style garments originating from Eastern Europe..
Added in Shemoneh Esrei and Bentching. .
Do not lechatchila skip Ve’al hanissim to catch up to answer Kedusha or Modim .
If you forgot ועל הניסים:
If you remembered before Hashem’s name in the bracha הטוב שמך ולך נאה להודות, go back.
If you already said Hashem’s Name, do not go back. But before the second יהיו לרצון add the following: "הרחמן הוא יעשה לנו ניסים ונפלאות כמו שעשה לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה". And then continue “בימי מרדכי...”
Likewise in bentching, if you forgot ועל הניסים – if you remembered before saying “Hashem” in the bracha על הארץ ועל המזון, go back. If not, then before הרחמן הוא יזכנו, add the following: "הרחמן הוא יעשה לנו ניסים ונפלאות כמו שעשה לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה". And then continue “בימי מרדכי...”
If completely omitted — do not repeat..
If one has not yet given מחצית השקל, it may still be given before the night reading or before the day reading.
Before reading the Megillah, three brochos are recited: על מקרא מגילה, שעשה ניסים, שהחיינו.
The megillah should be opened and folded like a scroll (איגרת) to remind us of the miracle.
The בעל קורא should read standing. If necessary, he may lean, and the tzibbur may be מוחל their honor and allow him to sit. When reading for individuals, he may sit, but the brachos must be recited standing.
Listeners should stand for the brachos and answer Amen (not Baruch Hu u’varuch Shemo - when being יוצא).
The Megillah must be read with proper trop and precision. An error that changes the meaning invalidates the Kriah. Care must be taken with קרי וכתיב and those that are read twice with variations.
The entire megillah must be heard. If even one word was missed, one must hear the Kriah again from the part that he missed. Therefore, if one misses a word, it must be read immediately - from a kosher Megillah, printed text, or by heart - until one catches up (and continues listening).
One should follow along in a Megillah, (so that if he misses a word he can catch up), However he should not verbalize the words. (If using a kosher Megillah, one may read softly, provided it does not disturb others.).
No microphone, phone, radio, or Zoom. Hearing aids require consulting a Rav.
If a פסול is discovered, the Kriah may continue בדיעבד so long as the majority remains kosher.
If one who already heard the Megillah is reading for others, preferably a listener should recite the brachos, changing the first Bracha to לשמוע מקרא מגילה (and have in mind anybody else there).
If a man is laining for a group of women, it is preferable that a woman recite the brachos, having the others in mind, also saying לשמוע מקרא מגילה. (Some hold that each one should say their own bracha).
It is customary to make noise at Haman’s name. Some make noise every time his name is mentioned, while others only do so only when it’s mentioned with a title (e.g. בן המדתא, המן הרע).
After the laining the chazan says the bracha הרב את ריבנו. Some roll the Megillah before or during the bracha; others say the Bracha first. We then say שושנת יעקב and ואתה קדוש followed by kaddish without תתקבל and Alenu.
The Megillah should ideally be read with a minyan. If not, it may be read for individuals; however, הרב את ריבנו is recited only with a minyan.
There is no obligation, but it is proper to have a modest seudah with a set table and lit candles..
Some eat on Purim food made from seeds, in remembrance of Esther who ate seeds in the palace, to avoid having to eat Treif food.
From sunrise (6:26am) until sunset (5:49pm). If starting to lain before sunset in a way that part of it will definitely be read after sunset, do not make a bracha before nor after.
Do not eat before the Megillah reading. In case of need, one may eat other foods, but not bread, mezonos, or alcoholic beverages in an amount exceeding a k’beitza.
