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The Halacha Corner
Shaloch Manos One must give two manos (serv43 Mikadesh Yisrael 123. This is based on Turei Even (Megila pg 4) who says that a womans obligation to hear the megila is Rabbinic. Therefore, one can be lenient when there is a doubt. 44 SA 694: 1. One must give one present to one evyon and another present to a different evyon. 45 Aruch Hashulchan 694: 3 and Mikadesh Yisrael 206 46 MB 694: 2. If one gives money, it may not come from ones maaser money. 47 Ibid. One has fulfilled his mitzva with a piruta according to the MB. Some say one needs to give enough money to buy a seudah chashuva (honored meal) while others say one needs to give enough money to buy a kzayis (one ounce) of bread. See Mikadesh Yisrael 188. Kovetz Halachos pg 89 says one must give a dollar for every matana. 48 Mikadesh Yisrael 198. Aruch Hashulchan 694: 2 says that one does not have to add extra for ones wife but many argue on the Aruch Hashulchan.
Avelus According to some, an avel does not daven for the amud on Purim.57 An avel should not attend a large Purim seuda (meal). Some say that the avel may go to the same type and size of seuda that they have attended in previous years.58 Others say that one may have a seuda with ones family 49 MB 695: 20 50 SA 695: 4. It is praiseworthy to give to more people. 51 Biur Halacha 695 s.v chayiv lshloach. See Pri Migadim MZ 695: 4, Aruch Hashulchan 695: 15 and Tzitz Eliezer 14: 65. Kovetz Halachos pg 98 says the manos should similar to something one would serve to a house guest. 52 Aruch Hashulchan 695: 14 53 Titz Eliezer 14: 65 and Mikadesh Yisrael 237 54 Kovetz Halachos pg 96 55 Mikadesh Yisrael 272 56 Kovetz Halachos pg 203 says the containers must be toiveled while Sefer Tevilas Keilim 164 argues. 57 Mikadesh Yisrael 381 and Pinei Baruch pg 321 58 Piskei Teshuvos footnote 34
Seuda The primary time to have ones seuda (festive meal) is during the day of Purim and not the night.63 One should not have the seuda alone.64 One should eat bread65 and meat66 at the seuda. If one forgot al hanisim in the bentching, one need not repeat bentching.67 Melacha Melacha (work) is prohibited68 during the day of Purim but not the night.69 Meleacha that doesn’t involve toil is permitted therefore one may do laundry on Purim even if the clothes are not needed for purim day.70 59 Kovetz Halachos pg 130 60 Rema 696: 6 and Aruch Hashulcan 696: 9. See however Gesher Hachaim pg 228 and Mikadesh Yisrael 384 61 Kesav Sofer 141 and Mikadesh Yisrael 386 62 Mikadesh Yisrael 387 63 It is appropriate to eat a small seuda on Purim night. 64 MB 695: 9 and Aruch Hashulchan 695: 12 65 Aruch Hashulchan 695: 7 and Shaarei Tziun 695: 4 66 Aruch Hashulchan 695: Mikadesh Yisrael says 292 says that if one does not eat meat, at least chicken should be eated. Kovetz Halachos pg 124 rules that one may have chicken lechatchila. 67 MB 695: 12 68 Rema 696:1. MB 696: 2 says that one may ask a gentile to do melacha on Purim. 69 Biur Halacha 696 s,v. ein osin and Kovetz Halachos pg 57 70 Kovetz Halachos pg 41 based on Meiri to Megila 5b
B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M
poskim say that one has fulfilled the mitzva. See Shaareim Mitzuyanim B’halacha Kuntres Achron 141: 13, Kovetz Halachos pg 80, and Mikadesh Yisrael 82 33 Minchas Shlomo 9, Kovetz Halachos pg 84 and Mikadesh Yisrael 89 34 Tzitz Eliezer 8: 11 and Minchas Elazar 2: 72. See Yismach Yisrael 17: 10. 35 SA 689:1 36 Rema 689:2 37 MB 689: 8 and Aruch Hashulchan 692: 7 38 While the MB 692: 11 says a man who was already heard the megila can recite the bracha for the ladies, but many poskim argue on the MB. See Chaye Adadm 141: 7 and SA Harav 585: 5. Minchas Yitzchak 3: 54 says each lady should recite there own bracha. 39 Ashrei Haish pg 292 says lechatchila one woman makes the bracha for all the ladies. 40 Aruch Hashulchan 692: 5 and Mikraei Kodesh Harei Kodesh 35 in Harei Kodesh 41 Mikadesh Yisrael 146 Kovetz Halachos pg 59 42 Asheri Haish pg 293
Matanos L’evyonim One must give two matanos l’evyonim (literally presents to the poor) on purim or give them to an agent to distribute on purim.44 An evyon is defined as someone who does not have enough money to purchase basic necessities one nedds to live (parnasas bayso).45 This matana may be food or money.46 It is a dispute how much money must be given to fulfill the mitzvah. It is best to give enough money to purchase a meal.47 Women are obligated in matanos l’evyonim. A married woman may have her husband give on her behalf as long he gives extra for her.48
ings) of ready to eat food49 to one person.50 The manos must be fit to honor someone.51 Some say that two different types of food are necessary52 while others argue.53 Everyone agrees that the two manos do not have to be different brachos.54 One may not use masser money to purchase food for one of the shaloch manos one gives. The extra manos which one gives may be purchased with masser money.55 If one gives shaloch manos in a glass or metal container, it is a dispute if the container must first be toiveled (dipped) in a mikvah before putting the food in.56
MARCH 17, 2016
Women and the Megila Women are obligated to hear Megila both during the night and the day.35 A woman either recites the bracha of lishmoa megila36 or lishmoa mikra megila when listening to the megila in a womans reading.37 Either each lady can say the bracha themselves,38 or one lady can say the bracha for all the ladies.39 Some say a minyan of women may recite harav es revenue (the bracha at the end of the megila)40, while others argue41, and this seems to be common custom.42 If a woman is not sure if she heard a word of the megila, she may assume
she heard it.43
and parents, but not friends.59 Shaloch Manos should not be sent to an avel during the twelve months of avelus.60 If shaloch manos is accidentally sent to the avel, the avel should accept the shaloch manos.61 One should not send shaloch manos to ones Rav while the Rav is an avel.62
THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME
Most poskim hold one hasn’t fulfilled ones obligation of hearing the megila if it is read over the phone.33 Some poskim hold that one may hear the megila over the phone if one has no other choice.34