PURIM LAWS & CUSTOMS

FAST OF

Taanit Esther is observed on Wednesday (today), February 20 from daybreak (5:44a.m.) until after the .

GIVING OF THE HALF SHEKEL

1. The custom is to give three coins to charity before the Minchah service on the Fast of Esther. These coins should be the half-denomination in the country in which they are given, ie. Three 50c pieces. 2. The custom is for all males above bar mitzvah to give these coins. 3. This commemorates the annual half shekel coin the gave in the month of for the sacrifices in the Temple. The reason we give 3 half coins is because .times תרומה in Parshas Ki-Sisa it says 3

PURIM

 There are four mitzvoth: o READING THE MEGILLAH . Everyone (Men & Women) is required to hear the Megillah read both at night and during the day. . At night, the Megillah reading starts after nightfall In shul, we will begin Ma’ariv at 7:30p.m with Megillah reading immediately afterwards. . One must listen attentively to every word being read in order to fulfil the mitzvah. . Three blessings are recited before the reading- Al mikra megillah, she’asah nisim and shehecheyanu. . In the morning the shehecheyanu blessing is also recited, keeping in mind that it refers to the other mitzvot of the day as well. (see below) o (the sending of food parcels) . Everyone is obligated to send at least 1”mishloach manot” on Purim day. . Preferably the mitzvah should be performed after hearing the Megillah reading on Purim day. . This mitzvah is performed by sending at least two different types of food to one person. The food sent should be ready for consumption upon arrival. Canned foods are acceptable. o MATANOT LA'EVYONIM (gifts to the poor) . Everyone must give food or money to the poor on Purim day.

. The requirement is to give to at least two poor people (men or women) enough food or the equivalent in money for a minimal Purim meal. (Approx. $10 at least) . Please give any monies to Krebs or Rabbi Cohen before Thursday morning to distribute on the day. o SEUDAT PURIM (the Purim feast) . Most of the Purim festival meal should take place during the day, preferably after Minchah. . Bread and meat should be eaten. . It is at this meal where the custom is according to many to become inebriated.

To drink or not to drink?

The Talmud in megilla 7b brings the following discussion:

“Rava said: A person is obligated to become intoxicated with wine on Purim until he is so intoxicated that he does not know how to distinguish between cursed is and blessed is . The Gemara relates that Rabba and Rabbi Zeira prepared a Purim feast with each other, and they became intoxicated to the point that Rabba arose and slaughtered Rabbi Zeira. The next day, when he became sober and realized what he had done, Rabba asked God for mercy, and revived him. The next year, Rabba said to Rabbi Zeira: Let the Master come and let us prepare the Purim feast with each other. He said to him: Miracles do not happen each and every hour, and I do not want to undergo that experience again.”

Arguments to drink:

From the opening line that Rava says theres an obligated to become intoxicated it seems obvious that there is an obligation.

Arguments against drinking:

On the other hand perhaps the story of Rabba’s “slaughtering” Rabbi Zeira is precisely why we shouldn’t drink?! This is why the anecdote follows the law to show that we do follow Rava’s opinion.

However:

On the other hand Rabbi Zeira’s refusal to attend a Purim meal the following year suggests that there is in fact a command to get drunk; otherwise Rabbi Zeira could have attended the meal on condition that no one drink?!

So what should we do?

According the great Ashkenazi Rabbi, Moshe Isserles "Whether one drinks more or drinks less, the main thing is that his intention is for the sake of Heaven."