Purim Guidance for 5781

 Between this coming Shabbos and next, we will have obligations brought upon us by the calendar. These topics were addressed in the class on Tuesday, which is available on our Facebook page here: https://fb.watch/3KyGBGLtDn/

What follows is a summary. 

Parashat Zachor

The best way to fulfill the mitzvah to remember Amalek is through hearing it read from a Torah in the presence of a minyan. The portion will be read at the end of the Torah reading at the indoor and outdoor minyan (approximately 9:35am outdoor and 10:15am indoor), as well as immediately after the minyan (10:15am outdoor, 11:00am indoor), if there are people who come specifically for an additional reading. If one will not make it to shul, the following options are available (please note the note after the options)

1.       Read Zachor - Devarim 25:17-19 - on Shabbos from a Torah you own

2.       If that’s not possible, you can have in mind to fulfill the Mitzva when hearing the Torah reading Purim morning (before Megillah)

3.       Read the portion from a Chumash on Shabbos.

4.       Hear it on Zoom after Shacharis Sunday morning, approximately 8:40am on the daily minyan Zoom link. (see link below in Megillah Reading section)

Note: Even if one uses #2 through Zoom on Purim day, or #3 or #4 (all of which are not in-person readings), one should aim to come to shul when Parashat Ki-Tetzei is read (Shabbos August 21, 2021), and have in mind at that time that the Maftir reading (Devarim 25:17-19) is a fulfillment of remembering Amalek.

 Thursday, Taanis Esther:

The fast begins at 5:39am and ends at 6:50pm.  Those who are fasting, who plan to hear the Megillah at nightfall (6:55pm) should not break the fast until after hearing the Megillah reading. Those who will be hearing the Megillah at a later reading may have a light snack after 6:50pm, but halakha discourages a full meal until after Megillah reading, lest one fall or asleep or forget to hear the Megillah.

Megillah Readings

The best way to hear the Megillah is in person, from someone reading from a Megillah scroll – ideally with a minyan, but acceptable without a minyan.

Any reading heard through electronic implements, whether a microphone, telephone, or Internet, should follow the following criteria: it should be live (not a recording), the listener should have a text in hand (a Megillah scroll is ideal!), the listener should do whatever possible to say the words along with the reader. If any of these are not possible, one may simply listen. (This allowance and option will only be available while we do not have normal operations – in future years we hope to not have Zoom options for Megillah)

Those who are homebound or who need special arrangements beyond the indoor and outdoor options the shul is providing should please be in touch. There are possibilities for a personal earlier reading on Thursday evening or a personal mid-morning reading on Friday.

Note: When the Megillah is read without a Minyan, only the opening blessings are recited, but not the closing blessing of “Harav Es Reveynu.”

Purim Meal/Seudah

With Purim falling on Friday, the idea of having a late afternoon Seudah comes in conflict with our usual Shabbos preparations. As such, it is recommended to have the meal as a brunch or lunch (some will aim to start before Chatzos – 12:33pm), while aiming to be done, no matter the start time, by the beginning of the tenth Halakhic hour of the day, approximately 3:27pm. (Candlelighting is 6:02pm, Mincha at shul will be 6:05pm, and sunset is at 6:20pm) There will be an earlier Mincha at 1:02pm, for those who want to daven Mincha before having their Purim meal plus the final live Megillah reading of the day.

A “Seudas Mitzvah” typically includes bread, so birkat HaMazon can be recited. There are differences of opinion as to whether the meal must include meat, should include either meat or chicken or fish, or could be whatever you wish. In honor of Purim, it should include at least a little wine and bread as noted. Make it as festive as can be!

 Mishloach Manot and Matanot L’Evyonim: 

 The mitzvah of Mishloach Manot and the mitzvah of Matanot L’Evyonim are meant to serve as expressions of kindness and friendship towards our fellow Jews – in the latter case, especially towards those who can use a boost to help their Purim celebrations be appropriate for the day.

 Mishloach Manot only requires that you send two food items to one person – ideally in the form of a meal. Those who have created a bubble who plan to eat the Seudah together can fulfill Mishloach Manot through preparing the food others at the meal will eat.

 *Participation in the Sisterhood Mishloach Manot project does not fulfill this Mitzvah*

 Rabbi Hershel Schachter has written this year. “Due to Coronavirus concerns there are those who may be uneasy with receiving food prepared in other people’s homes. Consequently, this year in particular, it is worthwhile to heed the Rambam’s exhortation to spend more on Matanos L’evyonim than on Mishloach Manos.”

Matanot L ’evyonim requires that we give money to at least two people to enhance their Purim. Monies collected will be distributed on your behalf both in advance of Purim Day for use for Purim and on Purim Day here or in Israel. You can consider that part of your contributions will be delivered on your behalf on Purim Day – though in either case your mitzvah is fulfilled through enhancing someone else’s Purim.

Those coming to shul, can place cash or a check (made out to “Anshei Chesed” and earmarked “RDF-Matanos L’Evyonim”) in the marked bowls or give them directly me. For those who would like to take care of this online, donations can be made through the online donation portal - https://www.accbb.org/payment.php, similarly assigned under “Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund” with “Matanos L’Evyonim” in the notes.

 Final Note

Purim is usually an incredible time of communal gathering and celebration. Due to concerns and precautions being exercised by a significant portion of our congregation, any efforts to reach out to neighbors we haven’t seen in a while, to simply share some Purim cheer, will be one of the best forms of enhancement of the holiday we can provide under our current situation. May it be as joyous a Purim as possible. And may we see next Purim to be a return to fellowship and gathering that is most joyous for us all.