Hilchos Chodesh Adar and Purim 5770
1238. This year Purim (14 Adar) falls on a Sunday (i.e. 28 Feb). Therefore, Taanis Esther is moved up to the Thursday before Purim (i.e. 25 Feb), since we do not fast on Shabbos and fasting on Erev Shabbos would take away from the honor of Shabbos. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Berurah 686:1
1239. "When Adar comes in, one increases his Simcha". {This coming Shabbos is Shabbos Mevarchim Chodesh Adar. Rosh Chodesh is next Sunday and Monday, the 14th and 15th of February. Monday, the 2nd day of Rosh Chodesh, is the 1st day of Adar}. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 686:3
1240. . This coming Shabbos, the Shabbos preceding Rosh Chodesh Adar, we read Parshas Shekalim (in addition to the regular Parsha of the week) to remember the Mitzvah of Machtzis Hashekel in the time of the Beis Hamikdash; Every Jew donated a half shekel coin, which were collectively used to purchase the animals used for the Korbon Tamid (daily sacrifices). These coins were collected each year beginning from Rosh Chodesh Adar. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 685:1
1241. If one forgot to fast on Taanis Esther this year (i.e. Thursday 25 Feb) one should fast instead the next day, on Friday. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Berurah 686:1, S'U Shvus Yaakov 3:50
1242. . If one has a court matter pending with a non-jew, one should make an effort to have the matter heard by the court during Adar because in Adar the mazal is Dagim - fish, which represents Yosef, upon whom Ayin Hor'ah - the evil eye has no effect. {based on Gemara Yerushalmi Mes. Megillah 4:1}. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 686:3
1243. Another reason for the reading of Parshas Shekalim on the Shabbos preceding Rosh Chodesh Adar is because Hashem knew that Haman would one day show his munificence when attempting to bribe King Achashverosh with 10,000 silver coins for permission to murder the Jews. Therefore Hashem preceded our Mitzvah of Machtzis Hashekel (which shows our generosity) to Haman's use of silver coins. Yerushalmi Mes. Megillah 1:5
1244. If the 13 of Adar falls on Shabbos (as it does this year) we do not say Av Harachamim before Musaf, and we do not say Tzidkoscho Tzedek at Mincha. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Berurah 292:2, 686:1 MB3
1245. Beginning Rosh Chodesh Adar there is a custom to hang a sign in the home that says "Mishenichnas Adar Marbin B'simcha" - "When Adar comes in, one increases his happiness". Some have the custom to place this sign to cover the "Zecher L'churban" (in memory of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash) unfinished wall area that many have the custom to retain in their home. Yalkut Avraham 686, Piskei Tshuvos 686:5
1246. Women are not obligated in the Mitzvah of the reading of Parshas Shekalim (inasmuch as it is a positive Mitzvah that is dependent on time). Nit'ay Gavriel 18:4, S'V Divrei Chaim OC 2:14
1247. If the Seudah Shlishis on Shabbos Erev Purim (this year 27 Feb) stretches until after nightfall, one does not say Al Hanisim in Birchas Hamozon even though it is already Purim. [One does say Ritzay for Shabbos, as always]. Magen Avraham 419:1, Shulchan Aruch Harav 188:7, Nitay Gavriel 75:9:18
1248. Ta'anis Esther, (this year moved up to Thursday 25 Feb) is a fast day for men and women. The fast day is to remember that Hashem listens when one is in a time of danger and need, as he did at the time of Purim. The fast is also a segulah to prevent the Satan from prosecuting an inadvertent sin done on Purim. Finally, many Mikubalim write that the decree against us from Haman has a potential recurrence each year and the fast day is a defense against the decree. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 686:1, Magid Maysharim par. Vayakhel, S'V Shevet Hakahasi 1:203
1249. Some people have the custom to learn Mishnayos Meseches Shekalim on Shabbos Parshas Shekalim after Mincha. (And Mes. Megillah on Shabbos Parshas Zochor, and Mes. Parah on Shabbos Parsha Parah, and Mes. Pesachim on Shabbos Parshas Hachodesh).
Nit'ay Gavriel 17:11
1250. One may not carry a Megillah to shul on Shabbos Erev Purim (this year 27 Feb) even in a place with a proper Eruv because one may not prepare for Chol (i.e. Purim) on Shabbos. Rather, one should bring the Megillah to shul before Shabbos, or after Shabbos. Shaarei Tshuva 693:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:7
1251. On Taanis Esther one is permitted to bathe, listen to music, and to wear new clothing. Taanis Esther is different than the other fast days because it is unrelated to the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash. S'U Siach Yitzchok 360, Piskei Tshuvos 686:2:6
1252. The Kav Hayashar says that one who needs mercy from heaven regarding any matter should take time on Taanis Esther to say chapter 22 of Tehillim and then pour forth one's request to Hashem and mention the zchus of Mordechai and Esther; that in their merit Hashem should respond, and open the gates of mercy, and accept the tefillah willingly. Kav Hayashar 97, Yesod Veshoresh Ho'avodah Sha'ar Hamifkad pg. 263
1253. Although we add Al Hannissim in Birchas Hamazon on Purim, there is no special insertion for Purim when saying Al Hamichyah on Purim. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Berurah 208:2
1254. "It is best for one to increase (his expenditures on Purim) in giving gifts to the poor (Matanos L'Evyonim), than on increasing his seudah and gifts to friends (Mishloach Manos), as there is no greater and more glorified simcha (happiness) than gladdening the hearts of the poor, of orphans, of widows, and of converts; because one who gladdens the hearts of the these downtrodden are akin to The Shechina (Hashem) as it says about Hashem 'To give life to those who are low etc'." Shulchan Aruch 694:1 MB3, Rambam Hilchos Megillah 2:17, Mes. Sofrim 21:4
1255. On the Shabbos before Purim (i.e. 27 Feb) we read Parshas Zachor which is found at the end of Parshas Ki Sei'tzei. By doing so we fulfill the positive Mitzvah of "Remembering what Amalek did to you". The mitzvah includes remembering the terrible attack Amalek made against the Jews in the desert, to hate Amalek, and to blot out his name. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 685:2, Chinuch Mitzvah 603, Ramban Par. Ki Sei'tzei
1256. On Motza'ei Shabbos we do not make Havdalah until after the reading of the Megillah. [However, some Kehillos Sefardim have the custom to say the beracha on the candle in shul before the reading of the Megillah]. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Berurah 693:1, Shaarei Teshuva 2, Nit'ay Gavriel 28:8
1257. Both men and women, (as well as children over the age of Bar and Bas Mitzvah) are obligated in the Mitzvah of Matanos L'Evyonim. Although this is a positive Mitzvah (bound by time - i.e. required to be done on the day of Purim) which normally women would be excluded from; nevertheless, because women were also saved from Haman in the nes (miracle) of Purim, Chazal obligated them in this mitzvah. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 695:4 MB25, 694:1 MB1, Piskei Tshuvos 695:15
1258. Inasmuch as the reading of Parshas Zachor is Min Ha'Torah, we do not permit a Bar Mitzvah boy to read this portion of the Torah. {Generally we would insist on someone of at least eighteen years of age}. Pischei Tshuvah YD 281:7 citing Nodah Be'Yehudah, Shemen Hamoer OC 282:4
1259. On Motza'ei Shabbos (Purim) before carrying the Megillah to shul, or traveling by car, (or doing any melacha) one should remember to say "Boruch Hamavdil bein Kodesh L'chol". Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Berurah 299:10
1260. Although one may fulfill the mitzvah of Matanos L'Evyonim by giving a mere Perutah (5 US cents according to some Poskim) to two poor people, many Poskim advise that one should give to at least 2 poor people a gift of money or food which will provide the poor person enough for a minimum seudah equal to the volume of three eggs. SA 694 See Shaarei Tshuva 694:1, Machzik Beracha L'Hachida, Maharsha Megillah 7b, Kaf Hachaim sk7, Moadim U'zmanim 6:107, Piskei Tshuvos 694:6, Nitay Gavriel 65:1
1261. Many opinions (incl. Minchas Chinuch, Chasam Sofer, Maharil Diskin, Minchas Elozor, and many others) hold that women are obligated in the reading of Parshas Zachor . While many others (incl. Chinuch, Avnei Nezer, Chazon Ish, The Griz M'Brisk, Divrei Chaim, Arugos Habosem) hold that women are not obligated. The general practice is for women to come to shul to listen to Parshas Zachor. Orchos Rabbeinu - Steipler 3:33, S'V Minchas Yitzchok 9:68
1262. It is good to learn Torah before beginning the Seudas Purim, and this is a Tikkun that there should not be any 'Takalah' (trouble) at the Seudah. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Berurah 695:2, Mes. Megillah 16b, Darchei Moshe 695:3, Nit'ay Gavriel 69:1
1263. L'Chatchila a married woman should fulfill the Mitzvah of Matanos L'Evyonim (and Mishloach Manos) on her own (using her own money, or money given to her by her husband for this purpose). Bidieved, she may be yotze by way of her husband's fulfillment of the mitzvah (if he gives to 4 poor people), but this arrangement should be verbally agreed between them in advance. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 695:4 MB25, Piskei Tshuvos 695:15 citing R' S.Z. Auerbach in Halichos Beisah 24:52
1264. If one was unable to listen to Parshas Zachor, one may fulfill the mitzvah, Bi'dieved, by listening to the reading of "Vayovoi Amalek" which is read in shul on Purim day. Shulchan Aruchh w/Mishnah Brurah 685:7
1265. One should light candles at the Seudas Purim as one does L'kovod Yom Tov. [This was the minhag of Rav Moshe Feinstein]. Shaarei Tshuva 695:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 142:5, Aruch Hashulchan 695:8, Nit'ay Gavriel 70:1
1266. Boys and girls who are over Bar and Bas Mitzvah age should fulfill the Mitzvah of Matanos L'Evyonim (and Mishloach Manos) using their own money. If they do not have any money, their parents should provide them with money for this purpose. Piskei Tshuvos 695:15
1267. A great story about the Mitzvah of Tedakah on Purim
(from Tuvcha Yabiyu Vol II, p. 278, Tzedakah Treasury p. 256)
Purim is the most hectic of days for every Jew - how much more so for the great Rosh Yeshivah, and leader of his generation, R' Chaim Volozhiner. R' Chaim was besieged all day long by lines of paupers who stretched out their hands for Mattanos L'evyonim. Every poor person received his gift with gratitude and promptly left the Rabbi's home to run elsewhere for more gifts. But there was one pauper who lingered around the house and then approached R' Chaim again to ask for another gift.
Often, people become annoyed by this kind of behavior, especially on Purim when they may feel beleaguered by the onslaught of a seemingly endless flow of solicitors. Not so R' Chaim Volozhiner. He graciously gave the pauper a second monetary gift and even spent a moment talking to him. The world famous Rov and Rosh Yeshiva asked the poor man if perchance he had a gut vort, a nice Torah idea about Purim to share with him.
The pauper responded, "The Midrash says that Mordechai knew that the heavenly tribunal agreed with Haman's decree to harm the Jews because they had to be punished for their sins. However, the tribunal has two different ways of sealing its decrees. If the decree is sealed with a seal of blood, it is permanent and can't be rescinded. If, on the other hand, it is sealed with clay, then there was still a last chance for the Jews to repent and thereby shatter the clay seal. Mordechai was deeply concerned lest the decree was sealed in blood. When he met Eliyahu Hanavi who informed him that the decree was only sealed with clay, Mordechai was overjoyed because there was still hope for the salvation of the Jews.
'I would like to know, honored Rabbi, whether there is some remez - a hint of this concept on the text of the Megillah itself'."
Before R. Chaim could reply, the pauper continued and demonstrated a textual source for the derivation of this idea from the Megillas Esther (3:9), where it says "Yikasev Li'Abdam" - it shall be written down to destroy them. The Hebrew word "Li'Abdam", may be broken into two words to read "Lo B'dam" - not with blood. Simply inserting a space in this word describing Haman's decree reveals this key fact about the hidden Divine decree.
The next time R' Chaim visited his Rebbe, the Vilna Gaon, he repeated this vort to him. The Vilna Gaon's response was, "The very same Eliyahu Hanavi who brought this good news to Mordechai in Shushan many centuries ago, revealed this Scriptural proof to you on Purim."
This incident teaches us how important it is to be patient with the poor. If R' Chaim had been impatient with the pauper when he approached him a second time, and had rejected his request, then R' Chaim would have forfeited his opportunity to have 'gilui Eliyahu' - a revelation of Eliyahu Hanavi. Beware! You never know who is knocking at the door.
1268. On Purim one does not check credentials of those requesting tzedakah. Rather, "anyone who stretches his hand for tzedakah, we give to him". Shulchan Aruch 694:3
1269. If the Ba'al Koreh or the listener misses/skips even one word of the Megillah one is not Yotze even Bi'dieved. It is therefore advisable for one to use a Kosher Megillah, and say word by word quietly with the Ba'al Koreh to insure that one doesn't miss any words, {and to insure that even if one's mind wanders and loses concentration, one will still be Yotze L'chatchila}. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 690:3,8,14, Piskei Tshuvos 690:4 citing the Tshuvos Ha'rash 4:19
1270. There is mitzvah to eat a Seudah on Purim night, and candles should be lit at all Purim Seudah's. The night Seudah need not be as elaborate as the daytime Seudah.
Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 695:1, see Shaarei Tshuvah
1271. Many have the minhag to give money on Purim to their Rov and to their children's Rebbeim and teachers. One may not use Maaser money for this purpose unless the recipient is poor and one initially undertakes to give it as tzedakah rather than as a gift to the Rov, Rebbe, or teacher. One also does not fulfill the Mitzvah of Matanos L'Evyonim with these gifts. Piskei Tshuvos 694:7, see Mishnah Berurah 694:2 MB7, Aruch Hashulchan 694:4, Tzedakah Umishpat 6:2
1272. Women and children are not obligated at all in the mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim to the point of being unable to differentiate between "Arrur Haman" & "Baruch Mordechai". Nit'ay Gavriel 73:4, Mishnas Yaakov 695
1273. Children who are too small/young to understand that they can not disturb the adults during the reading of the Megillah should not be brought to shul. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 689:6
1274. One may not use Maaser money to fulfill one's obligation of Matanos L'Evyonim on Purim, just as one may not use Maaser money to fulfill other mitzvah obligations. However, once one has given to two poor people, one may use Maaser money to give Tzedakah to other poor people on Purim. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Berurah 694:1 MB3
1275. The Rama brings the opinion of the Kol Bo that one may fulfill the mitzvah of drinking wine ('ad di'lo yad'ah') on Purim by simply drinking more wine than normal (e.g. more than one would usually drink on Yom Tov) and then going to sleep. The Mishnah Brurah comments positively; "and it is fitting to do so". Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 695:2 MB5, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 144:6, Chayei Odom 155:8, Kaf Hachaim sk16
1276. There is a greater fulfillment of Pirsumei Nisa (publicity of the miracle) when the Megillah is read in a larger group (B'rov Am Hadras Melech). Therefore, if one davens in a home-based minyan established for the benefit of a single person (i.e. a sick person), if the person is able to go to shul, the entire minyan should disband for krias Hamegillah and go to shul. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 687:2 w/Sha'ar Hatziyun, 690:MB62, Tshuvos V'Hanhagos 2:350
1277. According to the p'sak of Rav Elyashiv Shlit'a one may fulfill the mitzvah of Matanos L'evyonim on Purim by giving a check if the poor person can convert the check into cash or food on Purim. (e.g. at a bank, or a Gemach, or at a local grocery store.). S'U Shvus Yitzchok pg. 99, see also Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Berurah 694:1 MB2, S'U Mishnah Halachos 6:122
1278. "The mitzvah of drinking more wine than usual on Purim is one of the specific mitzvos of Purim day in accordance with the Rimazim and Sodos (secrets) included in the mitzvah; and one who withholds from fulfilling the mitzvah because he doesn't understand the mitzvah has no part in [Klal] Yisroel, and in the acceptance of the yoke of the words of our holy Rabbis".
Bina L'ittim Drush 21, Nitay Gavriel 73:1 fn1
1279. There are three days during the year when we have a minhag to eat "Kreplach", a triangle shaped dough with meat inside. These days are Purim, Ho'shana Rabbah, and Erev Yom Kippur. The significance of these three days is that they are all Yomim Tovim on which, although it is a mitzvah to have a Seudah as on a Yom Tov, it is nevertheless permitted to work and conduct business, thereby making the Yom Tov hidden. Therefore the simcha of eating on Yom Tov which is fulfilled by eating meat, is done by eating a hidden meat. Geulas Yisroel cited by Ta'amai Haminhagim
1280. The Chofetz Chaim brings the words of the Chayei Odom that "One who knows himself, that he will be 'mezalzel' (i.e. and not properly fulfill) any mitzvah because of drinking wine, for example Netilas Yadayim, or any beracha, or Bircas Hamazon, or he will fail to daven Mincha or Maariv, or he will behave with 'Kalus Rosh' (i.e. improperly), he should not become intoxicated. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Berurah 695:2, see Biur Halacha
1281. The Shulchan Aruch does not specify that the mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim is only with wine. Nevertheless, the main drink should be wine because Rashi (Megillah 7a), The Rambam (Hilchos Megillah 2:15), The Rokeach (Siman 237), and The Radvaz (1:462) all specifically mention wine {because many miracles happened at The "Mishteh Haya'yin"}.
Rav Moshe Shternbuch in Moadim U'zmanim 2:190
1282.There is a Mitzvah for every Jew to study Hilchos Pesach beginning thirty days before the Yom Tov (i.e. on Purim) to know the correct way to perform the Pesach mitzvos. This obligation extends throughout all the days of Pesach itself. Included in this Mitzvah is the Shabbos Hagadol Drasha, a portion of which should be devoted to Hilchos Pesach. Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Brurah 429:1
1283. On Shushan Purim one does not say Al Hanisim in Shmona Esrei or Bircas Hamazon (outside of Yerushalayim). We also refrain from making Hespedim (eulogies) or fasting (even outside of Yerushalayim). Shulchan Aruch w/Mishnah Berurah 693:2, 696:3
1284. On Shushan Purim many have the minhag to drink wine at their seudah, even outside of Yerushalayim. S'U Mishnah Sachir 2:235, Magid Meisharim par. Vayakhel, Nit'ay Gavriel 79:4
