Q & A
Purim
We have added a lot more Q & A about Purim
PURIM
Is there a mitzvah to eat meat at the Purim Seudah?
Could I make a dairy meal instead?
- There is a preference for meat.
- However, if a person doesn't take pleasure in meat & enjoys a dairy meal far more,
then eating meat would defeat the purpose & they should eat whichever food they enjoy
the most. - Several poskim write that there is an obligation to eat meat at the Purim meal, including
the Rambam (Megillah 2:15) & the Shulchan Aruch (696:7)
1.The Beis Yosef writes that today, in the absence of the Mikdash, there is no longer
an obligation to eat meat on festivals. It appears that there is no distinction between
festivals & Purim.
2.The Magen Avraham (696:15) wonders why this would be so & doesn't offer an
explanation.
3.Some suggest (Shut Divrei Moshe 1:40) that by contrast with the subjective obligation
of simcha for festivals, on Purim there is a concrete obligation of a 'feast' which is
specifially fulfilled by having meat.
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For Purim, 2 items are required for Shaloch Manos.
Can we give mineral water for Shaloch Manos with 1 other item? - One can be lenient to send bottled mineral water as Mishaloch Manos because mineral
water is considered part of a meal, is worth money & carries a degree of importance. - Based on the Gemara Megillah (7b) all authorities agree that you can give a drink for
mishloach manos (Terumas Hadeshen 111; Ran, Megillah 3b, Peri Chadash 695:4,
Magen Avraham 11; Divrei Malkiel 1:67)
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How many people must we give Shaloch Manos to on Purim
One
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What is required in a Shaloch Manos basket?
- 2 food items or a food & a drink
- Each should have a different bracha
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Should I sent Shaloch Manos to my friend who lost her mother this year?
- If there is someone else in the home who is not in mourning, you may send Shaloch
Manos to the home - Click on Purim Customs to learn more about Purim
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If you are in you in mourning, do you give Shaloch Manos?
Yes but keep it simple
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It's not always easy for a woman, to make it to shul to hear Parashat Zachor.
How much of an effort must I make?
- There is a mitzva from the Torah to remember the actions of Amalek.
- However, not all agree that Torah law requires a minyan & perhaps not even a
kosher sefer Torah. - If so, the prescribed manner in which men are required to fulfill the Torah law, may not be binding for women (see Torat Chesed, cited in Yechaveh Daat I:84; Mikraei Kodesh, ibid.).
- Some say that on Shabbat Zachor women may read those p'sukim
from a Chumash
(including Teshuvot V'hanhagot II:344) - Others hold that it's
possible to fulfill the mitzvah of Zachor by listening to Megillat Esther
& not necessarily with a minyan (Teshuvot V'hanhagot II:344) as long as that is part of
the contemplated intent while listening to the Megillah.
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Where does the custom of making noise
when Haman’s name is mentioned come from?
- The 16th century Ashkenazik halakhic authority the Rema writes (OC 690:17) that there
used to be a custom where children would write the name of Haman on wood or stones &
bang them together to erase the name. - This symbolized the concept of wiping out the remembrance of Amalek and the notion
of 'the names of the wicked should rot (Mishlei 10:7).' - As an offshoot of this, the custom developed that people would bang when the name
Haman was mentioned when reading the Megilla in Shul (see the Mishna Brura 690:59)
where he notes that it was not just children who did this as the Chacham Tzvi followed this custom as well. - The Rema ends by saying that we should not nullify any custom, nor should we mock it as
it was not instituted for naught. - The Mishna Brura, authored by Rav Yisrael Meir Ha'Kohen Kagan (1839-1933)
quotes the Pri Megadim who argues and says that one should not follow this custom
as it creates a lot of noise and doesn’t allow people to hear the Megillah (690:59).
1. This is problematic because if one doen't hear the entire Megillah, one does not
fulfill their obligation
2. It is for this reason that the Mishna Brura notes, that if a Shul has the custom to make
noise when Haman is mentioned, the Ba’al Koreh should be careful to pause while the
noise is being made.
3. Additionally, he writes that since it is common for the noise to extend for a long time, it
is recommended that everyone have a Megillah or Chumash in front of them & read the
next 1 or 2 verses just in case they can’t hear them from the Ba’al Koreh (690:60).
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The Talmud (Taanis 29a) states, Mi-Shenichnas Adar Marbim Bi'Simcha,
when Adar begins, we increase our joy and happiness.
Does this mitzvah apply to both the first & second month of Adar
or only to the second Adar, the month in which Purim falls?
- Rav Yaakov Emden (She’elas Ya’avetz 2:88) maintains that this obligation only
applies in the second Adar. He infers this from Rashi in Masheches Taanis (ibid. s.v. Mi’shenichnas). - Rashi explains that one must increase his happiness beginning in the month of Adar
because these are the days in which the miracles of Purim & Pesach occurred. It is
evident that the obligation to be happy relates to the second Adar where Purim falls. - However, the Chasam Sofer stated in a reponsa Teshuvos, Choshen Mishpat 20
“The first day of Adar Rishon, in which happiness is increased…” It would appear that
Chasam Sofer held that happiness is intensified in the first Adar as well.
This year there are two months of Adar.
When is a yahrtzeit (the anniversary of a parent’s death) observed?
In the first Adar or the second?
Also, thirteen years ago there was only one Adar.
When does a boy born at that time celebrate his Bar Mitzvah,
during the first Adar or the second?
- With respect to a yahrtzeit, there is a dispute between the Mechaber and Rama (568:7). According to the Mechaber, if a person passed away in a year where there is only1 Adar,
the yarhrtzeit is observed in the second Adar (in those years that have two months of
Adar). - Rama cites two opinions:
1. It should be observed in the first Adar
2. One should be stringent & observe it in both Adars. - Mishna Berura (568:42) states that the custom is to observe yarhtzeit the first Adar,
however he cites the position of the Vilna Gaon that it should be observed in both Adars. - Regarding a Bar Mitzvah, Rama (55:10) rules that it is observed in the second Adar.
- Mishna Berura (55:45) explains that the first Adar is an add-on month, while the second
Adar is primary. - Appropriately, the Bar Mitzvah occurs in the authentic month of Adar, which is Adar Sheini
(the second). - There is a striking & obvious question: Why does Rama hold that a yahrtzeitis observed?
Whichever Adar is primary for yahrtzreit should be primary for Bar Mitzvahs as well.
Particularly surprising is that the source of both rulings is the same posek the renowned
Mahari Mintz. The answer to this question is beyond the scope of this article. See
Teshuvos Mahari Mintz 9 and Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah III 160 for possible
resolutions.
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