PURIM: The Mitzvot of Purim

Today is Ta'anit Esther, the fast of Esther. 

(click here for more information)

Previously we discussed the Mitzva of reading Megilat Esther during Purim (see here). 

Today we will learn about the other Mitzvot of Purim.    

  

MISHLOACH MANOT:

During the day of Purim--Thursday March 8th--we send two presents to one or more friends. These presents consist of food--ideally food to be used during the Purim banquet. It is customary to include at least two different types of foods. For example, a drink and some baked product. The intention of this Mitzvah is to promote harmony and friendship and strengthen our unity. Mishloach Manot should no be given before Purim or during the night. The Manot should be delivered during Purim daytime(Thursday March 8th).  Mishloach Manot should not be given anonymously. 

MATANOT LAEBYONIM:

"Presents to needy people". These presents consist of food, given to those who could not afford to celebrate and enjoy a nice Purim banquet.  The custom is to give two gifts, or as it is usually done today, the monetary equivalent of a basic meal, to two or more poor people. The Mitzva is also fulfilled by giving the monetary equivalent of two meals to a charity that distributes food. If we don't find the needy people during the day of Purim, we should put aside or give to charity the money during Purim daytime to be delivered later.  Unlike Mishloach Manot, the presents for the needy could (or ideally should) be given anonymously. If our means are limited, our Rabbis indicated that we must be more generous in giving to the poor and needy than in spending for our own Purim banquet. They said: "There is no greater happiness than to lift up the hearts and spirits of the poor, orphans and widows".

SE'UDAT PURIM: 

Thursday March 8th in the afternoon, we participate in a festival meal, Seudat Purim. In this banquet we sing songs and express our happiness and thanks to HaShem Almighty for our deliverance.  More on this banquet, tomorrow. 

For times of Miniyanim and Megila reading during day and night of Purim please check here  KANISSAHNEWS . You will also find  information about our community's events, times or prayers, etc. 

PURIM: The fast of Esther

Tomorrow, Wednesday March 7th, we commemorate Ta'anit Esther, the "Fast of Esther".

Taanit Esther takes place one day before Purim, the 13th of Adar. The 13th of Adar was the day chosen by Haman to exterminate the Jewish people. So, we fast on that day to remember our anguish and to realize the big danger from which HaShem Almighty delivered us all.

There is more. When Queen Esther was informed of Haman's plan to eliminate the Jewish people, she decided to appeal to King Achashverosh, who did not fully know about Haman's plan. This desperate move was a suicidal mission, because anybody who would come near the King without being summoned by the King, could be legally executed due to security reasons. But there was virtually nothing else anyone else could have done to talk to the King and persuade him from stopping Haman to carry out the 'final solution'. Esther then decided to risk her life and approach the King.

Before Esther approached the King she asked every Jew to fast. Fasting--together with prayer--is what our Torah and Chakhamim instructed us to do in difficult circumstances.  At the request of Esther, every Jew in the Empire fasted for 3 days and prayed for Esther's success. In remembrance of that event we call this fast day Ta'anit Esther.

Ta'anit Esther is technically a minor fast. Pregnant or nursing women do not do this fast. Also children, elders or anyone with any medical condition is exempted from this Ta'anit.  Every other healthy adult should fast.

The fast of Esther starts tomorrow, Wednesday March 7th at 5.00AM and ends at 6.25PM .
 

PURIM: Reading Megilat Esther

Reading the story of Purim from a scroll, which is called Megilat Esther, is one of the most important Mitzvot of Purim. 

During Purim we read Megilat Esther two times: the first time at night (Wednesday, March 7th) and the second time during the day (Thursday, March 8th).

Women are normally exempted from Mitzvot triggered by time, like Tefilin or Sukka, but Purim is an exception. Because, 1. Women were part of the miracle and were also saved from the danger and 2. A woman, Queen Esther, had the most critical role in saving the Jews from extermination.

Children, technically are not obligated to listen to Megilat Esther, but they are expected to attend Synagogue during Purim. Parents should make sure that their small children do not misbehave, perturbing the public reading of the Megila.

There is no Halakhic objection to use a microphone when reading the Megila in public, provided one could otherwise hear the Megila without the microphone. Listening to the Megila by media (TV, radio, phone) is not acceptable for fulfilling the Mitzva.

When the Baal Kore reads the Megila everybody should listen and follow his reading silently from a scroll or from a printed Megila.

It is a popular custom to make noise, as a sign of disapproval and condemnation, when the name of Haman is mentioned in the Megila. The Gabbaim and other Synagogue officers must make sure that the noise is discreet and does not perturb the normal reading of the Megila.