R’ Feiner Sends Pre-Purim Message

BS”D

Ta’anis Esther, 5781

L’chvodchem Ha’Yikorim, Amu”sh:

I hope that this email finds you and your families well and that you have begun to experience the profound simcha that Chodesh Adar has to offer. While Purim this year will not be celebrated in its usual manner, it is our obligation to ensure that the experience is no less meaningful or inspiring. There is no doubt that current restrictions will certainly temper some of the celebrations which we have come to rely upon as sources of Simchas Purim. However, this challenge, like many of this past year, affords us a unique opportunity to look inward and allow the many blessings of our lives to be a lasting source of simchah. Moreover, although often our energy and focus are directed towards Mishloach Manos and the seudah, true happiness emerges when we provide for others.

The Rambam writes: מוטב לאדם להרבות במתנות לאביונים מלהרבות בסעודתו ובמשלוח מנות לרעיו – שאין שמחה גדולה ומפוארה אלא לשמח לב עניים ויתומים ואלמנות וגרים שהמשמח לב האמללים האלו דומה לשכינה.  True happiness is when we allocate our time and resources to assist others. This Purim, please consider ways to bring joy to others. For example, call people who may be at home for the day to wish them Happy Purim & Good Shabbos; deliver Mishloach Manos or send a Shabbos meal to someone; donate generously to Matanos L’evyonim (see below).

This year, Purim is on Erev Shabbos. Please review the following very relevant halachos of this most unique “Purim she’chal l’hiyos b’Erev Shabbos.”  May our determination to experience true simchah even under difficult circumstances bring forth the day of ultimate simchah – זה היום עשה ה’ נגילה ונשמחה בו!

• Both men and women are obligated to hear or read the Megillah at night and during the day.  While it is preferable to hear the Megillah with a minyan, one who is unable to attend may read it from a kosher Megillah on his own.
• If one is unable to attend Megillah reading and does not know how to read it correctly, one may read aloud from a kosher Megillah while listening to a recording or livestream. If this is not possible, it is naturally better to hear the Megillah read over a telephone or livestream than not to hear it at all, but no bracha should be recited on such a reading.
• Ideally, the Purim Seudah should begin before Chatzos (12:08pm), and conclude before the tenth hour of the day (2:56pm).  If one is unable to finish by this time, he must eat his seudah any time prior to shkiyah (5:43pm).
• One may give Matanos L’evyonim by clicking on the link here. Funds will be distributed on Purim day.
• Purim festivities should not interfere with proper preparations for Shabbos. Shabbos Kodesh should be brought in with the usual respect, seeing us return to Shul in appropriate Shabbos attire to daven with the required kavanah.
• Although the common practice is to perform the giving of a “Machatzis HaShekel” (contributing Tzedaka as a remembrance of the original mitzvah) on Ta’anis Esther (ideally before Minchah), it can be given any time during the month of Adar. (While the minhag is to give coins that are one half of the local currency, if there are no half-dollar coins available, one may simply give 1.5 times the value of the local currency ($1.50).)
• Shabbos-Shushan Purim: “Av Harachamim” and “Tzidkas’cha Tzedek” are not recited (and no “Kel Maleh“). Tachanun resumes on Sunday (unless one is observing Purim Meshulash in a walled city).

Wishing everyone a truly Freilichen Purim!

Rabbi Eytan Feiner
Rabbi Motti Neuburger