delray beach orthodox rabbi

                                                                              B"H
                       
Purim 2021 - Celebrating Properly During Covid

A few words come to mind when I think about Purim: simcha, joy, revelry and partying. Traditionally, the holiday is communal in nature; the celebration includes eating, drinking, and enjoying the company of friends. We deliver personalized mishloach manot, usually consisting of homemade delicacies, and we come together to listen to the Megillah reading. We delight in making noise whenever the evil Haman’s name is mentioned, although to some it will be merely a cacophony of sound. Purim in a perfect world highlights the importance of community. 

This year's celebration will be unique and different. We won’t be delivering mishloach manot to people's homes or joining together for a mass purim seudah. Shul attendance will be less than usual as many people will refrain from attending in person and will listen to the Megillah over Zoom.  However, the one constant is the importance of community, especially in these difficult times. 

In Persia during the reign of Achashverosh, Jews from all walks of life lived in peril.  Haman’s evil plot didn’t differentiate between religious and secular or Sefardim and Ashkenazim. In spite of our differences we collectively rallied around Queen Esther and we ultimately succeeded in changing the king's decree. Hashem’s involvement remained hidden, although traditionally the first word in every column in the Megillah begins with the word hamelech - the king, but secretly relates to Hashem, the king of the universe. 

Although there is finally light at the end of the tunnel, we can’t let down our guard just yet. Thus, this year creates a unique challenge to foster a spirit of Purim within guidelines and parameters that will ensure everyone’s safety.


● All live services that are held in shul will be simulcast on Zoom over Purim.
● All mitzvot related to purim are an obligation on both men and women. 
● It is a mitzvah to hear the Megillah in the evening and in the morning.
● In lieu of individuals giving mishloach manot to multiple people, the shul will serve as your proxy in giving out mishloach manot.
● Both men and women are obligated to listen to Parshat Zachor. However, one may rely on the ruling of Rabbi Yosef, the current chief rabbi of Israel. He has ruled that this year women should be lenient and not attend shul to listen to Parshat Zachor.
● Instead of physically picking up the machatzit hashekel - the three silver coins and exchanging it with your own funds. This year it’s preferable that we don't pick up silver coins when we are transferring our funds. 
● Mattanot l’evyonim will be given out on Purim day in Israel. For those who want to participate in this mitzvah and support the less fortunate in Israel please donate here or contact Eileen at 561-499-9229. 100% of the funds will go to Israel.
● Since Purim falls out on Friday, it is preferable to commence eating the seuda (festive meal) before 12:30pm. 
● If one is unable to eat the festive meal in the morning there are opinions that rule that one can eat the seuda in the late afternoon and combine it with your Shabbat meal. (Please contact me for specifics.)
● Consuming alcohol on Purim is in the spirit of the day provided one drinks responsibly. It is against halacha - against Jewish law - to drink in a manner that causes one to lose self-control. 
● There is never a justification to violate federal or state law and allow underage youth to consume alcohol on Purim. The precedent set by doing so can have long term negative consequences and, God forbid, legal ramifications for the adults. 

Purim Sameach, 

Rabbi Jack Engel