5783-2023
Rabbi Hayim Asher Arking
Rabbi Ezra Ghodsi
Perashat Zachor
The mightiest demonstration of the exalted status of Am Yisrael, was when we were freed from slavery in Egypt (Mitzrayim). Hashem brings plagues upon Mitzrayim and overturns the entire nature of creation with each of the ten makkot; Hashem takes Am Yisrael out of Mitzrayim with mighty force; They leave with the riches of Mitzrayim; Hashem splits the waters of the sea and Am Yisrael walk through and watch their slave masters drown; They sing praises to Hashem.
The nation of Amalek then has the audacity to come wage war against Am Yisrael but Hashem watches and protects the Children of Israel.
Hashem commands us every year to read in the Torah how Amalek dared become the leader of anti-Semitism by being the first to wage war against us at a time when we were in such an exalted status, yet still vulnerable. We read this portion so that our hatred is aroused against Amalek - the antithesis of belief in Hashem - and hope we will be able to wipe them out one day. Amen!
The timing of this reading is specifically before Purim as Haman was a descendant of Amalek and also so that we would have both of the Torah portions which involve Amalek read within a few days of each other.
HOW DO I FULFILL MY OBLIGATION?
To fulfill one’s obligation, one must hear the reading from a kosher Sefer Torah in a minyan.
I AM SEPHARDIC, CAN I FULFILL MY OBLIGATION WITH AN ASHKENAZI READING?
One should endeavor to hear a Sepharadi reading of Parashat Zachor as this is a mitsvah from the Torah and therefore hear it according to their tradition. If one does not have the opportunity to do so, he still fulfills his obligation.
ARE WOMEN OBLIGATED TO LISTEN TO THE READING?
According to many opinions, women are not obligated to participate; however, it is praiseworthy for a woman to hear the reading.
WHAT SHOULD I BE THINKING ABOUT DURING THE READING?
Although one does not need to understand every word, it is necessary to have a general idea of what is being read. This should arouse hatred for Amalek and their appalling behavior towards Hashem and our ancestors after they left Egypt. Before the reading, one should have in mind that he is fulfilling a mitsvah aseh (a "positive" commandment).
WHAT IF I AM UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO SHUL?
One should make it his utmost priority to go to shul and hear the reading from the Torah, as this is a mitzvah from the Torah. If they cannot, then they can convene a minyan at a later time, or coordinate with their Rabbi to arrange a reading.
MAHASIT HASHEKEL
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
A Mahasit Hashekel is approximately ten grams of silver, which in today’s market is worth about seven dollars. Some say that the custom can be fulfilled by giving half of the common coin of the realm, which would be fifty cents. Many have the custom to give three Mahasit Hashekalim corresponding to the three times that the command to bring Terumah is stated in Parashat Terumah. One can compromise and give one Mahasit Hashekel, for a value of seven dollars, and the other two at fifty cents each. One should be careful not to say "this is mahasit hashekel," rather one should say "zecher l’mahasit hashekel" – in remembrance of the Mahasit Hashekel.
READING THE MEGILLAH
HOW DO I FULFILL THE MISVAH OF READING THE MEGILLAH?
To fulfill the misvah of Megillah, one must read or hear from the hazan every word. If one "tuned out’ and missed a few words, he can make them up by quickly reading from the text, catching up to the hazzan. If you know which words the Hazzan just read, then you have fulfilled your obligation even if your mind wandered a bit.
IS THERE A REASON TO HAVE A KOSHER MEGILLAH?
Having a kosher Megillah is commendable, as this enables one to read along with the hazan and not miss any words. If one does not have a Megillah, he should follow along with the hazan, without reading the words himself, using a Humash or any other text. This will enhance his focus and enable him to catch up on missed words if need be.
I WAS LATE TO THE MEGILLAH READING; CAN I LISTEN FROM WHERE THEY ARE UP TO AND HEAR WHAT I MISSED AFTERWARD?
The Megillah has to be read in order. Therefore, if one is only a few minutes late, he may catch up by reading from a Humash, provided that a) he starts from the beginning and catches up to the Hazan, and b) more than half of the Megillah is heard from the hazan or read from a kosher Megillah. The Berachot should be recited before starting to read.
IAM UNABLETO MAKEIT TO SYNAGOGUE, MAY I LISTEN VIA ZOOM?
To fulfill one's obligation, one must hear the Megillah being read in person. However, if necessary one may listen to the Megillah via Zoom, and read along word by word from a kosher Megillah, thus fulfilling his obligation through his reading.
MISHLOACH MANOT
WHO MUST GIVE?
Both men and women are obligated to give Mishloach Manot. A husband and wife should each perform the mitzvah as individuals. A man giving to a man, and a woman to a woman. Younger children who have reached the age of Hinuch should also give. According to some opinions, it is preferable to give at least one Mishloach Manot through an agent.
WHAT SHOULD I GIVE?
To fulfill one’s obligation, one must give a minimum of two different foods. Preferably one should give food that is ready to eat. Drinks are counted as an item; however, a plain water bottle or seltzer is not. Teabags or even fresh ground coffee are not ready-to-eat foods. However, the giving of a hot or iced coffee, tea, or another flavored beverage does fulfill the mitzvah of Mishloach Manot.
Preferably one should give something respectable that befits the stature and honor of both the person giving the gift and the recipient. One should give at least one of their Mishloach Manot in a way that meets this requirement.
HOW MANY SHOULD I GIVE?
One fulfills his obligation by giving Mishloach Manot to one person. However, the more one gives the better, as you are creating or strengthening more friendships. If one has a choice between giving funds to additional needy individuals or giving a larger number of Mishloach Manot, it is better to give Tzedakah to more destitute individuals. There is no greater happiness than making the hearts of poor people, widows, and orphans happy!
MATANOT LA’EVYONIM
HOW MUCH DO I GIVE?
The misvah is to give Tzedakah to at least two poor people. According to some opinions, one can give each poor person a perutah - a small amount. In practice one should give enough to buy a small meal – at least five dollars per poor person. It is preferable to give an amount that would be enough to buy a respectable meal – approximately ten to twenty dollars per poor person. It is best to give the preferred amount to at least two poor people. Then, to any additional needy person, one may give as he wishes. The more the better!
WHO GIVES?
Both men and women alike must give Matanot La’evyonim. Even a beggar who receives charity must also give. A husband may give on behalf of his wife, however, each one gives to two poor people.
TO WHOM SHOULD I GIVE THE MONEY?
One fulfills the obligation of Matanot La’evyonim by giving funds to those in need who struggle to pay for their basic needs. This can be done by giving the appropriate amount to trusted people or to organizations collecting on behalf of the poor which will distribute them specifically on Purim day before sundown.
PURIM MEAL
WHAT TIME ARE WE EATING?
The Purim meal or Seudah must be eaten during the day of Purim. The prevalent custom is to eat most of the meal in the afternoon before sunset.
DO I HAVE TO WASH AND EAT BREAD?
One should eat bread and meat at the Purim Seudah. Ideally one should eat meat and not chicken, as meat brings a higher level of joy. The Seudah should be celebrated with family and friends as this will make the meal more festive.
SHOULD I GET DRUNK?
During the meal, one should drink more alcohol than he usually drinks. The objective is to cause us to praise Hashem both for the miracle of salvation and for all the blessings that he bestows upon us. If drinking alcohol does not achieve this objective, one should limit drinking. It is preferable to perform the Mitzvah by drinking wine, as opposed to other alcoholic beverages, as many parties and miracles in the Megillah revolved around meals with wine.
CAN I PRAY ARBIT WHEN DRUNK?
If one has had too much to drink, he should wait until the effect of the alcohol wears off before praying. If one prayed while under the influence of alcohol, but at that time would have been able to speak in front of a king coherently and without slurring, then he does not repeat the Tefillah. If at the time of praying, one is so intoxicated that he is incapable of fluent speech, then he is obligated to repeat the prayer once he is sober. If one misses the time for prayer as a result of being drunk, one should pray the next Tefillah twice.
CAN I GO TO WORK ON PURIM?
It is preferable not to work on Purim and one will merit blessing. Purim is a meritorious day for strengthening the bonds of friendship, praying, Torah study, and giving tzedakah. On Purim, the law is that "whoever extends his hand for charity, we should give and provide." That is to say, throughout the year we should check the credentials of someone asking for charity. However, on Purim, which is a day of giving, we should give to all needy individuals who stretch out their hand without asking for evidence of their need. Regarding prayers, we are again told, "whoever stretches out his hand to Hashem, He will provide." There are many remarkable stories of salvation for those who prayed sincerely on Purim. Let us use this special day to give and pray, and may all our Tefillot be answered speedily. Amen.