Halocho #2374 - How do we publicize the miracle of Purim?

One of the Mitzvot of Purim is hearing Megilat Esther being read at night and again in the morning.

One needs to hear every single word to fulfill this Mitzva.

The Megila should be heard in a shul if possible; the bigger the crowd the bigger the publicity of the miracle.

Everybody needs to hear the Megila including men, women and children old enough to attend without disturbing.

The reading needs to be done from a Kosher Megila; one that is handwritten by a Sofer on parchment.

The entire Megila - some 20 columns in a standard edition - is unrolled and folded like a letter before it is read.

Three Brachot are recited before the Megila is read (both in the evening and the morning) and a single one after the reading.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:7, 9, 10, 11

חַיָב כָּל אָדָם, בֵּין אִישׁ בֵּין אִשָּׁה, לִשְׁמֹעַ קְרִיאַת הַמְּגִלָּה בַּלַיְלָה וּבַיוֹם. וְלָכֵן גַּם הַבְּתוּלוֹת, יֵשׁ לָהֶן לָלֶכֶת לְבֵית הַכְּנֶסֶת. וְאִם אֵינָן הוֹלְכוֹת, צְרִיכִין לִקְרוֹת לִפְנֵיהֶן בַּבָּיִת. וְגַם אֶת הַקְּטַנִים חַיָבִים לְחַנֵּךְ אוֹתָם שֶׁיִשְׁמְעוּ קְרִיאַת הַמְּגִלָּה. וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם לֹא יָבִיאוּ לְבֵית הַכְּנֶסֶת קְטַנִּים בְּיוֹתֵר, שֶׁמְּבַלְבְּלִים דַּעַת הַשּׁוֹמְעִים.

מִצְוָה מִן הַמֻּבְחָר לִשְׁמוֹעַ אֶת הַמְּגִלָה בְּבֵית הַכְּנֶסֶת בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁיֵשׁ רֹב אֲנָשִׁים, מִשּׁוּם דִּבְרָב עָם הַדְרַת מֶלֶךְ. וּלְכָל הַפָּחוֹת יִשְׁתַּדֵּל לִשְׁמֹעַ אוֹתָהּ בְּמִנְיַן עֲשָׂרָה. וְאִם אִי אֶפְשָׁר לִקְרוֹתָהּ בְּמִנְיָן, יִקְרָא אוֹתָהּ כָּל יָחִיד מִתּוֹךְ מְגִלָּה כְּשֵׁרָה עִם הַבְּרָכוֹת שֶׁלְּפָנֶיהָ.

מִנְהָג בְּכָל יִשְֹרָאֵל, שֶהַקּוֹרֵא אֵינוֹ קוֹרֵא מִתּוֹךְ מְגִלָּה כְּרוּכָה, אֶלָּא פּוֹשֵׁט אוֹתָהּ וְכוֹפְלָהּ דַּף עַל דַּף כְּמוֹ אִגֶּרֶת, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנִּקְרֵאת אִגֶּרֶת הַפּוּרִים, אֲבָל הַשׁוֹמְעִים, אֵינָם צְרִיכִים לְפָשְׁטָהּ.

הַקּוֹרֵא אֶת הַמְּגִלָּה, בֵּין בַּיוֹם בֵּין בַּלַּיְלָה, מְבָרֵךְ לְפָנֶיהָ שָׁלֹשׁ בְּרָכוֹת, עַל מִקְרָא מְגִלָּה, שֶעָשָׂה נִּסִּים, וְשֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ. וּלְאַחַר קְרִיאָתָהּ, כּוֹרְכָהּ כֻּלָהּ וּמַנִּיחָהּ לְפָנָיו, וּמְבָרְכִין בִּרְכַּת הָרָב אֶת רִבֵנוּ וְכוּ'. אִם אָבֵל קוֹרֵא אֶת הַמְגִלָּה, יְבָרֵךְ אַחֵר אֶת הַבְּרָכוֹת, מִשׁוּם בִּרְכַּת שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ.

- Danny Schoemann

Tuesday, 9 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #1048 - How do we publicize the miracle of Purim?

One of the Mitzvot of Purim is hearing Megilat Esther being read at night and again in the morning.

One needs to hear every single word to fulfill this Mitzva.

The Megila should be heard in a shul if possible; the bigger the crowd the bigger the publicity of the miracle.

Everybody needs to hear the Megila including men, women and children old enough to attend without disturbing.

The reading needs to be done from a Kosher Megila; one that is handwritten by a Sofer on parchment.

The entire Megila - some 20 columns in a standard edition - is unrolled and folded like a letter before it is read.

Three Brachot are recited before the Megila is read (both in the evening and the morning) and a single one after the reading.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:7, 9, 10, 11

- Danny
Tuesday, 9 Adar 5773

Halocho #766 - How do we publicize the miracle of Purim?

One of the Mitzvot of Purim is hearing Megilat Esther being read at night and again in the morning.

One needs to hear every single word to fulfill this Mitzva.

The Megila should be heard in a shul if possible; the bigger the crowd the bigger the publicity of the miracle.

Everybody needs to hear the Megila including men, women and children old enough to attend without disturbing.

The reading needs to be done from a Kosher Megila; one that is handwritten by a Sofer on parchment.

The entire Megila - some 20 columns in a standard edition - is unrolled and folded like a letter before it is read.

Three Brochos are recited before the Megila is read (both in the evening and the morning) and a single one after the reading.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:7, 9, 10, 11

- Danny
Monday, 8 Adar-II 5771

Halocho #748 - Is tomorrow a fast day?

In a non-leap year the 13th of Adar is Ta'anit Esther.

In leap years - like this year 5771 - תשע"א - we fast and celebrate Purim in Adar-II.

However, in Adar-I we mark the days as "Purim Katan".

One should eat a bigger meal to increase happiness on 14th of Adar-I. Even in "walled cities" where Shushan-Purim is celebrated (e.g. Jerusalem) this is done on 14th (not 15th) of Adar-I.

During Adar-I the Megila is not read, nor does one say עַל הַנִּסִּים.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 142:10

- Danny
Wednesday, 12 Adar-I 5771

Please daven for a complete recovery of 24 year old Michael Pinchas ben Frecha Fanny who suffered a brain haemorrhage

Halocho #520 - How do we publicize the miracle of Purim?

One of the Mitzvot of Purim is hearing Megilat Esther being read at night and again in the morning.

One needs to hear every single word to fulfill this Mitzva.

The Megila should be heard in a shul if possible; the bigger the crowd the bigger the publicity of the miracle.

Everybody needs to hear the Megila including men, women and children old enough to attend without disturbing.

The reading needs to be done from a Kosher Megila; one that is handwritten by a Sofer on parchment.

The entire Megila - some 20 columns in a standard edition - is unrolled and folded like a letter before it is read.

Three Brochos are recited before the Megila is read (both in the evening and the morning) and a single one after the reading.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Oruch 141:7, 9, 10, 11

- Danny
Monday, 8 Adar 5770

Halocho #286 - Megila reading tonight

Purim starts tonight - Monday night. The Megilat Esther is read twice; once tonight and once tomorrow morning.

One should wear Shabbat-clothes in honor of the Megila reading.

The custom is to give 3 coins to charity before the Megila reading. Each coin should be half the local currency - half dollar, half shekel, etc.

Don't forget to add עַל הַנִּסִּים during Amida and Birkat Hamazon.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141: 4, 5

- Danny Monday, 13 Adar 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tzipora bas Eidel who had a growth removed

Halocho #285 – When did Esther fast?

2,364 years ago, two days before Pessach, Haman decreed that all the Jews would be destroyed on 13th Adar, eleven months later.

After consulting with her cousin Mordechai, Queen Esther declared a 3 days fast that lasted through the first days of Pessach, after which she went – uninvited – to the king and invited him and Haman to a wine feast.

At the wine feast she invited them to a second wine feast where which she gained royal permission for the Jews to defend themselves.

Jews always fast and pray when going out to war, and so they did on Adar 13, 3406 (354 BCE). On Adar 14 they celebrated their victory. In commemoration, we fast on Adar 13 (tomorrow – Monday) and celebrate Purim on the morrow.

Ta’anis Esther is the only of the 6 fast days not mentioned in Tanach.

The fast ends when the stars become visible (a few minutes before Motzai Shabbat time), and if needed, one may eat and drink before Megila reading. However one should not eat a meal until after hearing the Megila.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:1,8, Esther 2:7, 3:12-9:30

- Danny Sunday, 12 Adar 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for 18 year old Nachman ben Chanah - נחמן בן חנה

Halocho #272 - How do we publicize the miracle of Purim?

One of the Mitzvoth of Purim is hearing Megilat Esther being read at night and again in the morning. One needs to hear every single word to fulfill this Mitzva. The Megila should be heard in a shul if possible; the bigger the crowd the bigger the publicity for the miracle. Everybody needs to hear the Megila including men, women and children old enough to attend without disturbing. The reading needs to be done from a Kosher Megila; one that is handwritten by a Sofer on parchment. The entire Megila - some 20 columns in a standard edition - is unrolled and folded like a letter before it is read. Three Brachot are recited before the Megila is read (both in the evening and the morning) and a single one after the reading. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:7, 9, 10, 11 - Danny Tuesday, 23 Shvat 5769 Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה - who is celebrating her Bat Mitzva tomorrow night

Halocho #75 – When did Esther fast?

2,363 years ago, two days before Pessach, Haman decreed that all the Jews would be destroyed on 13th Adar, eleven months later. After consulting with her cousin Mordechai, Queen Esther declared a 3 days fast that lasted through the first days of Pessach, after which she went – uninvited – to the king and invited him and Haman to a wine feast. At the wine feast she invited them to a second wine feast where which she gained royal permission for the Jews to defend themselves. Jews always fast and pray when going out to war, and so they did on Adar 13, 3406 (354 BCE). On Adar 14 they celebrated their victory. In commemoration, we fast on Adar 13 (tomorrow – Thursday) and celebrate Purim on the morrow. Ta’anis Esther is the only of the 6 fast days not mentioned in Tanach. The fast ends when the stars become visible (a few minutes before Motzai Shabbes time), and if needed, one may eat and drink before Megila reading. However one should not eat a meal until after hearing the Megila. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:1,8, Esther 2:7, 3:12-9:30

Halocho #73 - How do we publicize the miracle of Purim?

One of the Mitzvos of Purim is hearing Megilas Esther being read at night and again in the morning. One needs to hear every single word to fulfill this Mitzva. The Megila should be heard in a shul if possible; the bigger the crowd the bigger the publicity for the miracle. Everybody needs to hear the Megila including men, women and children old enough to attend without disturbing. The reading needs to be done from a Kosher Megila; one that is handwritten by a Sofer on parchment. The entire Megila - some 20 columns in a standard edition - is unrolled and folded like a letter before it is read. Three Brochos are recited before the Megila is read (both in the evening and the morning) and a single one after the reading. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Oruch 141:7, 9, 10, 11

ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על מקרא מגילה

ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, שעשה נסים לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה

ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, שהחינו וקימנו והגענו לזמן הזה

Halocho #72 - Three-fold Purim

This year Purim is on Friday (21 March) and Shushan-Purim is on Shabbos, so cities that celebrate Shushan-Purim - like Jerusalem and Shushan (Susa, Iran) - will celebrate in 3 parts: 1. Friday:

• Megila reading is on Thursday night and Friday morning, like everybody else
• Matonos L'evyonim is given to the needy on Friday.

2. Shabbos:

• Al-Hanisim is added to Bircas Hamozon and the Amida.
• The Torah Reading for Purim (Shmos 17:8-16) is read as Maftir. (The same Haftoro is read as the previous week - Shmuel-1 Ch. 15.)
• One should learn some Halochos of Purim.

3. Sunday:

• Mishloach Monos is sent.
• The Purim feast is eaten.

This is the opinion of the Shulchan Oruch. Some people also do #3 on Shabbos. Others send Mishloach Monos on Friday. Source: Shulchan Oruch, Orach Chaim 688:6, Mishna Brura ibid. Shmos 17:8-16 8 : Then came Amolek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 : And Moshe said to Joshua: "Choose men, and go fight with Amlek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of G-d in my hand". 10 : So Joshua did as Moshe had said to him, and fought with Amolek: and Moshe, Aaron, and Chur went up to the top of the hill. 11 : And it came to pass, when Moshe held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amolek prevailed. 12 : But Moshe's hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Chur supported up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 : And Joshua weakened Amolek and his people with the the sword. 14 : And the Hashem said to Moshe: "Write this for a memorial in the book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly wipe out the remembrance of Amolek from under heaven. 15 : And Moshe built an altar, and called the name of it "Hashem did miracles": 16 : And he said, "Because the Hashem has sworn that Hashem will have war with Amolek from generation to generation."

Halocho #52 - Purim Koton and eclipses

One should eat a bigger meal to increase happiness on 14th of Adar-1. Even in "walled cities" where Shushan-Purim is celebrated (e.g. Jerusalem) this is done on 14th (not 15th) of Adar-1 During Adar-1 the Megila is not read, nor does one say Al-Hanisim. Tonight (Wednesday night) is a full moon eclipse. See details on Answers.com There is no special brocho said on an eclipse, though on meteors and comets one says "Oseh ma'ase Breishis"* Sources: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 142:10, Last Halocho in Shulchan Oruch Orach Chaim (697:1), KSA 60:2

* ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם עושה מעשה בראשית סעיף י - יום י"ד וט"ו שבאדר הראשון, גם כן אין אומרים לא תחנון ולא אל ארך אפים ולא למנצח, ואסורין בהספד ותענית, וביום י"ד מרבים קצת בסעודה. סעיף ב - על הזיקים, והוא כוכב היורה כחץ באורך השמים ממקום למקום, ונמשך אורו בשבט, ועל הכוכב שיש לו זנב ושבט של אורה, ועל רעידת הארץ, ועל רוחות שנשבו בזעף, ועל הברקים, על כל אחת מאלו מברך ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם עושה מעשה בראשית (ואינו מברך על הזיקים כי אם פעם אחת בלילה, אף על פי שראה עוד כוכב אחר רץ, ועל הכוכב שיש לו זנב כיון שבירך עליו אינו מברך עוד, אלא כשלא רואהו עד לאחר שלשים יום).