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CURRENT TOPIC:
HALACHOS OF CHODESH ADAR & PURIM
1) The names of the ten sons of Haman HaRasha, until after the word "Aseres" after their names, must be said by the one reading the Megilah in one breath, to remember the fact that they were all hanged and died at one time (in other words, as the Talmud Megilah 16b explains, they all took their last breaths at the same instant; perhaps as Midah K'Neged Midah for their plot to kill all the Jews in one day).
L'Chatchila this should start a few words earlier, and from "Chamesh Me'Os Ish" until "Aseres" should be said in one breath.
If these words were not read in one breath, even if one took a long break between them, B'Dieved you are Yotzei. (Rama Siman 690:15)
However, L'Chatchila if they were not said in one breath, they should be repeated (Elya Rabbah Siman690:11)
The congregation need not read these names, and they can simply listen to the Ba'al Koreh. (Chayei Adam Klal 155:22 and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 141:14)
However, the prevalent Minhag is for the congregation to indeed read these names [in one breath] before the Ba'al Koreh reads it. (Aruch HaShulchan. The reason is possibly, that since the Ba'al Koreh reads it very quickly, the congregation may not hear it properly, thus developed the minhag of everyone reading it themselves. See also Shu"t Tzafnas Pa'aneach from the Rogotchov Gaon Vol. 3 in the Hashmatos for a novel approach to this requirement: Due to "Shomea K'Oneh", the Ba'al Koreh can be Motzi you with the reading but he cannot be Motzi you with the "one breath" requirement, thus each individual must do this on their own)
2) It is the prevalent Minhag in Klal Yisroel to "bang" or otherwise make a noise whenever the name of "Haman" is read in the Megilah.
This Minhag should not be discontinued, nor ridiculed, as it was not instituted for naught. (Rama Siman 690:17).
However, the banging should not go on for too long, otherwise the entire reading/listening of the Megilah will become confusing.
Musical instruments or similar loud noisemakers should not be used, rather a simple gragger, banging with the feet or similar gesture of "banging" should be used. (Mishna Berura Siman 690:59. See also Sha'ar HaTziyun ibid: 57)
If the Shul in which one davs doesn't comply with the above guidelines, and the entire Megilah reading turns into a "noise fest" with people competing as to who can make the loudest, longest and most disturbing noise, it is better to read the Megilah with a small minyan in a different Shul or even at home rather than rely on this noisy and confusing Megilah reading.
This is especially true for women, who will be unable to hear the Megilah properly in the women's section with all the tumult taking place. (Based on MaHar"i Algazi in Shalmei Chagiga, quoted in Sefer Hilchos Chag B'Chag. Also the ruling of the Aruch HaShulchan)
While the congregation is "banging", the Ba'al Koreh should be quiet, and only continue once the noise has subsided totally, otherwise some in the congregation may miss a few words of the Megilah.
It is a good idea for all the congregants to read the few words after each "Haman" by themselves from a Kosher Megilah [if at all possible] or from a Chumash, to ensure that not even one word of the Megilah is missed. (Mishna Berura Siman 690:60)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
Is one allowed to make brachos in a room where there are soiled diapers in a garbage bag, if the odor is no longer present?
Answer:
If the soiled diaper is totally covered in a garbage can, and there is no odor, Brachos are permitted. If they are just in a bag, according to many poskim the entire bag can sometimes acquire the din of a soiled diaper [Graf Shel Re'i], thus it would be better to make the bracha while 4 amos away and also while facing a different direction, as if one can see the soiled diaper or anything that has a din like it, it may be problematic.
If the smell is emanating, one may never make a bracha no matter how far away they are, as long as they smell it.
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CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal and the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal. May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they both be Melitzei Yosher for all of Klal Yisroel.
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זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
The Zohar notes that Purim is similar to Yom HaKipurim. This means that what is accomplished on Yom Kippur by fasting can be accomplished on Purim by rejoicing. Furthermore, the very name Kipurim ("like Purim"), implies that Purim is the greater Yom-Tov, impacting a person more powerfully.
Indeed, Chazal teach that when Moshiach comes, all the Yomim-Tovim will cease to exist; only the Yom-Tov of Purim will remain. Chassidus explains that the simcha and kedusha of Purim are so great, that even when we have the simcha and kedusha of the geulah, Purim will still be special.
(תיקוני זהר נ"ז ע"ב, מדרש משלי פ"ט, ד"ה להבין מארז"ל כל המועדים כו' תשט"ז וש"נ)
The author of Chiddushei HaRim, the first Rebbe of Ger, illustrated the powerful potential of Purim with a story:
There was once a Yid who set out on a journey, intending to commit a grievous sin, and took along five hundred gold rubles that he had patiently amassed over the years. On his way, he suddenly heard the heartfelt cries of a family in distress. They were being evicted for not paying their rent. His pity aroused, he gave them all the money that he had intended to use for the aveira.
His deed aroused such a great tumult in Shamayim that it was decided that whatever this man would decree, would materialize. However, to ensure that the privilege would not be misused, it was ordained that he become a drunkard.
Some time later, a terrible tzara descended upon the world. The Baal Shem Tov sent his talmidim to beg this drunken Yid to intercede and ask HaShem for mercy. They repeatedly found him drunk, until finally, catching him sober, they presented their request and he succeeded in abolishing the decree.
The Chiddushei Harim would conclude: Purim is a day of eis ratzon, when every Yid - like that drunkard - can accomplish great things, without limitation. However, to allow this to happen, one must make sure that the merrymaking will not interfere with this mighty potential.
(שפתי צדיק אות נ"ג)
Submitted by daily reader, M.F. Taken from the L'Ma'an Yishmeu email. To Subscribe send request to info@lmaanyishmeu.com
Important Numbers
