Prepared by:
Rabbi Hayim Asher Arking
Rabbi Ezra Ghodsi
Mahasit Hashekel – Half a Shekel
Mahasit Hashekel was originally donated by each adult Jewish male for the construction of the Mishkan and then subsequently collected every year during Adar to give all a vested share in the communal sacrifices brought in the Bet Hamikdash. We commemorate this yearly donation, which has the benefit of granting atonement for sins, by giving the current value of half a shekel to charity.
When should I give?
It is customary to give on Taanit Esther before minha, or the night of Purim before the reading of the Megillah. The Gemara (Megillah 13b) teaches “It was revealed before the Creator of the World that in the future Haman would weigh out shekalim to Achashverosh to sign off on the decree against the Jewish people. Therefore, to counteract this, He instructed us to give half-shekalim”. We, therefore, give our shekalim before reading about the shekalim that Haman offered to Achashverosh to persuade him to authorize the decree against us.
Who is supposed to give?
Men and boys over thirteen years old should donate the Mahasit Hashekel. The custom is for women and girls over twelve years old to also contribute. It is recommended that a parent give on behalf of their young children as they were also included in the shekalim that Haman weighed out.
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
The Megillah is “Pirsum Hanes” - publicizing the miracle of Purim, and Hallel - praise and song in honor of the holiday of Purim. Women, as well as men, are obligated to hear the Megillah, as women were also under the threat of annihilation. Furthermore, a woman, namely Queen Esther, played a significant role in the miracle. Children should also hear the Megillah (as long as they behave appropriately). Publicizing the miracle of Purim makes it preferable to hear the Megillah in a synagogue setting among a large crowd. Therefore, one should endeavor to go to shul and hear the megillah there.
Can I eat before hearing the Megillah?
As with other misvot, one may not eat a k'beitsah of bread or mezonot before hearing the Megillah. According to many opinions, before the night reading is more stringent, and one may not eat or drink anything until they hear the Megillah unless it is very difficult.
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.
When using a Megillah, if one is touching the parchment without a kerchief he is required to wash his hands before doing so. If one has already washed his hands before prayers, his hands are considered ritually clean, and he need not wash them again.
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.
I am reading for my family and there is no minyan can I make the blessings?
When reading the Megillah without a minyan only the berachot before the reading are recited. The beracha after the reading is only recited with a minyan.
I am unable to make it 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
Mishloach Manot, sending gifts, is one of the more exciting mitzvot of the day. Haman’s decree, to wipe out the Jews, was sold to Achashverosh on the basis that the Jews were not united. Therefore, to show our harmony, we renew and enhance friendships by sending each other gifts of love on the day of Purim.
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.
When should I give?
The obligation to give Mishloach Manot can only be fulfilled during the daytime. If you ordered a package before Purim to be delivered to a friend (for example by Amazon), the obligation would be fulfilled only if it arrives on Purim day.
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 ― Gifts to the Destitute
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 which 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.
Can I send the money before Purim?
You may send the money ahead of time, provided that the poor person receives the money on the actual day of Purim.
Purim Meal
There are many parties throughout the story of the Megillah. In the end, they are the cause of the miraculous turnaround in the fortunes of the Jewish people. We, therefore, commemorate the miraculous repeal of the decree of genocide through a party.
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.
This year (5785) when Purim is on Erev Shabbat, one should ideally start the meal before hatzot – midday (approximately 1:05 PM in the NY/NJ area). If one is not able to start that early, then it should be started before 4:00 PM. This is so one should have an appetite for the Shabbat seudah.
If one is starting the meal after hatzot, they should first pray mincha, as one is not allowed to start a large meal before praying.
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 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.
Can one get a haircut, shave, or cut nails?
This year when Purim is on Erev Shabbat, it is permitted to get a haircut and shave in honor of Shabbat. Some only allow it if the barber is a non Jew or if one is giving themself a haircut, while others even permitt a Jewish barber to give haircuts. Cutting nails is also permitted.
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.
