Matanot L'Evyonim and Purim MItzvot

Here are options for Matanot L’Evyonim donations:

Tomchei Shabbat Denver - Please indicate (once you have noted the amount you wish to donate) that the donation is for Matanot L’Evyonim

Israel Chessed Fund - This organization distributes funds to the needy in Jerusalem. I personally know the man who runs the program. All donations go directly to the needy. There is zero overhead. Click here and choose the “Matanot L’Evyonim” drop down. 

Especially this year, when the standard needs are great (higher prices), the words of Rambam resonate. (Laws of Megillah 2:17)

“It is preferable for a person to be more liberal with his donations to the poor than to be lavish in his preparation of the Purim feast or in sending portions to his friends. For there is no greater and more splendid happiness than to gladden the hearts of the poor, the orphans, the widows, and the converts.”

One who brings happiness to the hearts of these unfortunate individuals resembles the Divine Presence, which Isaiah 57:15 describes as having the tendency "to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive those with broken hearts."

PURIM: HOW WE COMMEMORATE AND CELEBRATE

The Four Parshiot:

The rabbis designated the four weeks surrounding Purim with special readings for maftir and the haftorah in order to remind us of this unique time in the Jewish calendar. 

Parshat Shekalim (Shabbat March 1) reminds us how the people gave towards the communal fund for sacrifices offered in the Beis Hamikdash.

Parshat Zachor is read on the Shabbat immediately preceding Purim (Shabbat, March 8). We choose this Shabbat to observe the commandment to remember the evil of the nation of Amalek who are central to Purim as well. In Exodus 17:8-16, we read about their war against the Jewish people when they attacked us without mercy. The command in Deut. 25:17-19 states: “Remember what Amalek did to you, on your way as you departed from Egypt… you shall obliterate the memory of Amalek, you shall not forget.” According to most authorities, it is a Torah level commandment to hear this portion read in synagogue. Men and women are encouraged to come to shul to hear Parshat Zachor. There will be a second reading immediately after services on Shabbat morning.

Men and women are encouraged to come to shul to hear Parshat Zachor. Torah reading begins at 10:00AM.

There will be a second reading immediately after services on Shabbat morning.

Similarly, hearing the reading of Parshat Parah (Shabbat, March 22) is also a mitzvah reminding us to purify ourselves now so that we’ll be ready to take part in the Korban Pesach when the night of Pesach finally arrives.

Parshat Hachodesh (March 29 ) is read to herald the coming of the month of Nissan and the onset of the Pesach season.

Taanit Esther (13th of Adar) – Thursday, March 13 . Fast times: Starts: 5:49 AM - Ends: 7:32 PM

The day preceding Purim is a thematically connected fast day. The 13th of Adar is mentioned in the Megillah as the day chosen by Haman to destroy the Jewish people. We fast in memory of the war that took place on that day and, like the fast of the first born, we use the fast to recognize our salvation. (cf. Esther 9:31). Taanit Esther is unlike the other fasts of the Jewish calendar, insofar that it is a day of thanksgiving and not sadness.

Customs of the Fast Day

The "Half Coins" (Machatzit Hashekel) It is a tradition to give three coins in "half" denominations -- e.g., three half-dollar coins -- to charity, to commemorate the half-shekel that each Jew contributed as his share in the communal offerings in the time of the Holy Temple. This custom, usually performed in the synagogue, is done on the afternoon of the "Fast of Esther," or before the reading of the Megillah. There will be ½ dollar coins in a basket for the performance of this MItzvah. The custom is to place some funds in the basket thereby acquiring the 1/2 dollar coins. Lift up the coins and place them back in the basket.  It is customary to do this for each family member. 

PURIM (14th of Adar) – Friday, March 14

Work is not forbidden on Purim, but we also have no tachanun, eulogies or fasting; a mourner displays no outward signs, like on Shabbat. There are a number of commandments to fulfill on Purim (that apply equally to men and women):

Megillah: The obligation is both at night and during the day. We cannot hear two at night or two during the day to count for the whole holiday.

Mishloach Manot: Sending gifts of food to friends: Two foods to one person is the minimum. The foods must be ready-to eat. There is a custom to give foods requiring two separate “brachot”.

Matanot l’evyonim: Gifts to the Poor : The megillah mandates that each person give money to at least two poor people for them to use on Purim day.

Seudah: Purim should be celebrated with a special festive meal on Purim Day, at which family and friends gather together to rejoice in the Purim spirit. It is a mitzvah to drink wine at this meal. Join the TDK- BMH-BJ Purim Seudah. We will enjoy a unique Purim Seudah  / Shabbat Meal Combo! 

Intoxication: We are enjoined to drink intoxicating spirits on Purim. Many authorities limit the drinking to the seudah, and even then, the command is just to drink more than we are used to. In no fashion should we become so intoxicated that we would harm ourselves or others or act in an unbecoming manner.

Special Prayers: We add Al Ha-Nisim to our shemona-esrei and to birkat hamazon. Yet, we do not say Hallel on Purim. Three reasons are given for the lack of Hallel. The first is that the Megillah acts as Hallel; the second is that the miracle of the day occurred secretly and outside the land of Israel; the third is that (in the words of the Talmud, Arachin 10b): “We are still servants to Achashverosh.”

Purim Customs

During the reading of the Megillah, we fulfill the commandment to “blot out” the name of Amalek by making loud noises whenever his name is read aloud. Another custom is to recite a few specific verses aloud as a congregation before the reader recites them. We read aloud four verses: 2:5, 8:15, 8:16, 10:3 and the list of the ten sons of Haman, 9:7-9.

Another widespread custom is to wear costumes, while some authorities hold that “yom tov” clothing should be worn (because it is called a Yom Tov in Esther 9:19). Costumes are to depict the “hiddenness” of the miracle of Purim..

SHUSHAN PURIM (15th of Adar)

Any city with walls since the time of Joshua celebrates Purim one day later on Adar 15. The Megillah relates how the war against our enemies lasted one day later in the city of Shushan. Nowadays, Shushan Purim only applies to Jerusalem (yet a few other cities in Israel have taken on both days as a longstanding custom, e.g. Acco, Yaffo, Tiberias).

As I once heard someone say, in an attempt to encourage aliyah: “Israel does it correctly. In America there are two days of Passover and one day of Purim, in Israel, there are two days of Purim and one day of Passover!”

May you have a healthy, happy, freilichen Purim!

Rabbi Gelman