DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 544 KB)
Purim – If Somebody Will Not Have Access to a Megila on Purim

The Talmud Yerushalmi comments in the beginning of Masechet Megila that strictly speaking, one can fulfill the obligation of Megila reading already from the beginning of the month of Adar, through the 15th of the month. Although Purim is observed on the 14th (or, in some locations, on the 15th), nevertheless, one can read the Megila and fulfill this Misva already from the beginning of Adar. The Yerushalmi infers this Halacha from the verse in the Megila that speaks of "Ha’hodesh Asher Nehpach Lahem Mi’yagon Le’simha" – "the month which was transformed for them [the Jews] from anguish to joy." This indicates that the entire month is given a special status, such that the Misva of Megila can be fulfilled already from the beginning of the month.

On the basis of the Yerushalmi’s comment, the Abi Ezri, cited by Maran in Bet Yosef, writes that if a person knows ahead of time that he will not have access to a Megila at any point during Purim, then he should read the Megila earlier in the month of Adar. For example, if a person will be traveling, and on Purim he will not have access to a Megila and cannot bring one with him, then he should read the Megila before Purim, anytime from the beginning of Adar, in order to fulfill the Misva according to this view. He should read the Megila both at night and during the day, and no Berachot are recited over the reading. On the 14th (or 15th) of Adar he should fulfill the other Misvot of Purim – the meal, Mishlo’ah Manot and Matanot La’ebyonim – even though he will not be reading the Megila. This ruling is codified in the Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 688:7), and in Yalkut Yosef (listen to audio recording for precise citation).

Summary: If a person knows before Purim that he will not have access to a Megila on Purim, then he should read the Megila at some point from Rosh Hodesh Adar, without the Berachot, at night and again during the day. The other Misvot of Purim should still be observed on the 14th (or 15th) of Adar.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Depth of the High Holiday Liturgy
Rosh Hashana: If One Forgot Ya’aleh V’Yavo in Birkat HaMazon
Using Material From a Non-Kosher Animal for the Shofar
Rosh Hashanah – If One Forgot to Recite Ya’aleh Ve’yabo in Birkat Ha’mazon
Why Rosh Hashanah Can Fall Out on Only Certain Days of the Week
Rosh Hashanah – The Reciting of “Ayeh Mekom Kebodo” in “Keter”
Fasting on Ereb Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah – Eating Pomegranate
Rosh Hashanah – The Meaning of “U’dbarcha Emet Ve’kayam La’ad”
Rosh Hashana- Men Dipping In Mikveh On Erev Rosh Hashana
Customs Relevant to Food and Drink on Rosh Hashanah
The Reasons for the Misva of Shofar
Rosh Hashanah – The Proper Way to Blow the Shebarim and Shebarim-Teru’a; Kavanot During the Shofar Blowing
Rosh Hashana- Reciting "She'hecheyanu" on Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah – Changing the Parochet; Customs of the Night of Rosh Hashanah
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found