DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Halacha is In Memory of
 Sarah bat Helen
"Who didn't love your beautiful smile? We will always love you mom"

Dedicated By
Her family

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
      
(File size: 612 KB)
Purim – The Writing of the Names of Haman’s Sons in the Megilla

Halacha requires that the verses which list the names of Haman’s ten sons should occupy an entire column of the Megila; these names must appear on a separate column, without any other text. It is therefore common to write the names in especially large script, as otherwise, there would be blank space, which, according to some opinions, would disqualify the Megilla (as it would constitute an unwarranted paragraph break).

The Vilna Gaon (Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna, 1720-1797), however, noted that there is no established tradition that the letters of the names of Haman’s sons should be written in large script. We have such a tradition regarding a number of other letters in the Megilla, such as the "Tav" in "Va’tichtov" and the "Vav" in "Vayezata," but there is no tradition regarding the names of the ten sons of Haman. Therefore, the Gaon maintained that the entire Megila should be written with only eleven lines in every column, so that the column with the names of Haman’s sons will be the same size as all the other columns of the Megilla, and they could be written in normal-sized script.

Most Megillot that are written and used today are not written in accordance with the Gaon’s view. Nevertheless, those who are looking to purchase a Megilla should be aware that there is a Hiddur (means of enhancing the Misva) to have the entire Megilla written with only eleven lines in each column, to satisfy this opinion of the Vilna Gaon.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Using a Plunger, Detaching a Fastener & Pins from New Clothes, Inserting New Shoe Laces
May One Use an Electric Blanket on Shabbat?
How to Remove Bones and Shells Which Are Mukse from the Shabbat Table?
Is It Permissible to Measure on Shabbat or Yom Tob?
Is a Discarded Item Considered Mukse on Shabbat?
Prescription Medication and Antibiotics on Shabbat
Shabbat – Using Mouthwash, Eating Food for Medicinal Purposes
Pills That are Allowed on Shabbat; Inducing Vomiting on Shabbat
Applying Ice to Reduce Swelling on Shabbat
Shabbat – Treating Dislocated or Broken Bones; the Use of Band-Aids and Iodine
Applying a Bandage with Ointment to a Wound on Shabbat
Shabbat – Using Eyedrops for Lubrication, and Lotions for Chapped Skin
Applying Gel to a Child’s Skin or Gums on Shabbat
Applying Cotton Balls and Alcohol to a Wound on Shabbat
Insulin Injections, Nebulizers, & Vaporizers on Shabbat
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found