***Off Peak Megilat Esther readings all night Mosae Shabbat, and all day Sunday in Brooklyn, will be at Bnei Yosef, at the corner of Ocean Parkway and Ave P as follows:
Mosae Shabbat March 15th at 8:30pm, 9pm, 10pm, and 11pm at night.
Sunday March 16th at 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm,
3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, and 6:30pm ***
Today's Halacha:
When Purim falls on Mosa’eh Shabbat, the Arbit prayer is recited as usual, with the recitation of "Yehi Shem," half-Kaddish, "Shuba" and "Yosheb Be’seter" following the Amida as on an ordinary Mosa’eh Shabbat. Before "Ve’ata Kadosh," the Beracha of "Boreh Me’oreh Ha’esh" is recited over a flame. Although the rest of the Habdala service is delayed until after the Megila reading, the Beracha over the candle must be recited before the Megila reading, since we will be using light for the Megila reading and must therefore first recite this Beracha. After the recitation of this Beracha, the congregation proceeds to the Megila reading, which is followed by "Ve’ata Kadosh" and the conclusion of the prayer service, including the rest of Habdala. Of course, the Beracha of "Boreh Me’oreh Ha’esh" is not repeated during Habdala. If one then goes home to read the Megila for his wife, she should recite "Boreh Me’oreh Ha’esh," after which he reads the Megila and then recites the rest of Habdala.
If the congregation forgot to recite "Boreh Me’oreh Ha’esh" before Megila reading, and they realize their mistake during the reading, they should interrupt the reading in order to recite the Beracha. This should be done in between paragraphs of the Megila, and then it does not constitute a Hefsek (unlawful interruption). This is the ruling of Hacham Ovada Yosef, in Hazon Ovadia (p. 106).
It should be noted that one may not bring a Megila to the synagogue on Shabbat so he will have it there for the reading after Shabbat. Even in an area with a proper Erub, this is forbidden because of the prohibition against preparing on Shabbat for after Shabbat. Therefore, one should ensure to bring the Megila to the synagogue on Friday and keep it in a safe place so it will be available after Shabbat.
Summary: When Purim falls on Mosa’eh Shabbat, the Beracha of "Boreh Me’oreh Ha’esh" is recited over a flame before the Megila reading. If a congregation forgot to recite the Beracha before beginning the reading, they should interrupt the reading in between paragraphs of the Megila to recite the Beracha.
