**Purim Message from Rabbi Mansour**
1) Rabbi Eli Mansour distributes Matanot La’Evyonim donations to many needy families and individuals on Purim. This year, you can have Rabbi Mansour be your Shaliach (messenger) in this required Mitzvah. See the Halacha entitled “Purim- The Laws & Importance of Matanot La'evyonim” for an understanding of the minimum dollar amount one should give to the needy. To fulfill your obligation and have Rabbi Mansour disburse your donations, send an email to info@dailyhalacha.com with the total amount of your contribution, and include your credit card number, name on the card, and expiration date. (This method is very secure. LearnTorah.com will be the listed merchant on your Credit Card bill.) Once processed, your credit card information will be permanently discarded. If preferred, you may phone in your contribution and payment information to Frieda Toussoun at 718-375-1023, on Monday Feb. 26th between 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The deadline to send your contribution via email is Wednesday, Feb. 28th.
2) Purim Schedule with Rabbi Eli Mansour:
Thursday, March 1st- Taanit Esther
Fast begins 5:23 AM
Daf Yomi 6:00 AM
Shacharit 7:00 AM
Minha 5:10 PM
Fast Ends 6:10 PM
Saturday Evening, March 3rd- Motzae Shabbat/ Purim Night
All on the basement level of Har HaLebanon
Minha Shabbat 5:15 PM
Seudat Shelishi 5:45 PM
Rabbi Mansour’s Lecture 6:00 PM
Arbit 6:45 PM
Megilah 7:10 PM
Purim Party 10:00 PM (Men Only)
Sunday, March 4th- Purim Day
All on the basement level of Har HaLebanon
Daf Yomi 7:00 AM
Shacharit 8:00 AM
Megilat Esther 8:30 AM
Seudah following Shacharit
Minha Gedolah 1:00 PM
Today’s Halacha….
When is Havdala recited when Purim falls on Saturday night?
The accepted practice in such a case is to delay the recitation of Havdala until after the reading of the Megila. This custom is based upon the fundamental rule, "Apukei Yoma Me'acharinan" – we prefer to extend Shabbat and Yom Tov whenever possible. We therefore delay the recitation of Havdala until after the reading of the Megila, rather than rushing to end Shabbat immediately after Arvit, before the reading of the Megila.
The exception to this rule is "Borei Me'orei Ha'eish," the Beracha over fire that we generally include as part of Havdala. Since one should not derive any benefit from fire on Motza'ei Shabbat before reciting this Beracha, and the lights of the synagogue are required for the reading of the Megila, this Beracha must be recited before the Megila reading. The rest of Havdala, however, is delayed, as mentioned, until after the Megila reading.
Thus, when Purim falls on Motza'ei Shabbat we recite Arvit as usual, and then after the Amida we recite "Shuva" and "Yosheiv Be'seter." At this point we recite the Beracha of "Me'orei Me'orei Ha'eish" over fire, and then read the Megila. After the reading, we follow the standard order of prayers recited every year after the Megila reading ("Ve'Ata Kadosh," "Shir La'ma'alot," "Aleinu"), and then recite Havdala, omitting, of course, the Beracha over fire.
Women must make a point to come to the synagogue in time to hear the Beracha of "Borei Me'orei Ha'eish" before the Megila reading. If a woman does not come to the synagogue, in which case her husband recites Havdala on her behalf upon returning home, she should recite the Beracha over fire herself. When the husband reaches the point where this Beracha is recited, he should remain silent as she recites the Beracha, without answering "Amen," and then complete the rest of Havdala.
(Based on the rulings of Chacham Ovadia Yosef in Chazon Ovadia – Laws of Purim, p. 67)
Summary: When Purim falls on Motza'ei Shabbat, the Beracha of "Borei Me'orei Ha'eish" is recited before Megila reading, while the rest of Havdala is recited after Megila reading. If a woman does not come to the synagogue, her husband recites Havdala for her when he returns home, omitting the Beracha over fire, which she should recite herself.
