Halacha for Thursday 13 Adar 5781 February 25 2021

The Three-Day Purim

Yesterday, we explained how most places around the world would celebrate Purim tomorrow, Friday, the 14th of Adar.

On the other hand, in the holy city of Jerusalem, which is walled since the days of Yehoshua bin Nun, Purim is celebrated on the 15th of Adar every year. Nevertheless, when the 15th of Adar coincides with Shabbat as it does this year, the Megillah is read in Jerusalem on Friday, the 14th of Adar, as it is throughout the rest of the world.

The reason for this is because of Sages decreed that the Megillah may not be read on Shabbat, for everyone is obligated to read the Megillah but not everyone is expert in doing so properly. Thus, one must bring one’s Megillah to a place where there are experts who know how to read it (such as a synagogue) and in doing so, one may inadvertently transgress the prohibition of carrying from a private domain to a public domain and the like (where there is no Eruv), which constitutes a Torah prohibition. Our Sages therefore enacted that when the 15th of Adar falls out on Shabbat, Megillah reading is moved up to Friday, the 14th of Adar.

This concept is discussed by the Gemara (Megillah 4b), the Rambam, and Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch. Another reason for this is because the needy long for the reading of the Megillah, for they know that charity funds are distributed to the poor on the day of the reading of the Megillah and on Shabbat, Matanot La’Evyonim may not be distributed. Thus, the Sages enacted that the Megillah be read the day before.

Therefore, this year (5781) when the 15th of Adar coincides with Shabbat, the Megillah will be read in Jerusalem on the same day it is read throughout the rest of the world which is on Friday. The Mitzvah of Matanot La’Evyonim should likewise be performed on Friday, the same day the Megillah is read.

Nevertheless, the Purim feast should be held in Jerusalem on Sunday this year. Although the feast is held on Sunday, the Mitzvah of Matanot La’Evyonim must be performed on Friday, for as a result of the endearment of the miracle during the time the Megillah is being read, one’s heart opens and one donates more generously to the poor.

On Shabbat, the 15th of Adar, in Jerusalem, “Al Ha’Nissim” should be inserted into all Shabbat prayers. “Al Ha’Nissim” is likewise inserted into Birkat Hamazon throughout Shabbat as is the case every year on the 15th of Adar in Jerusalem.

The Talmud Yerushalmi explains that the reason why the Purim feast is not held on Shabbat is because the verse in the Megillah states, “To make them days of feasting and merriment,” and Shabbat was not made a day of feasting and merriment by the Sages; rather, Shabbat preceded their enactment. Nevertheless, the Poskim write that it is appropriate to add a special food to the Shabbat meal in honor of Purim.

The Mitzvah of Mishloach Manot is likewise to be fulfilled on Sunday, the same day the Purim feast is held. However, “Al Ha’Nissim” should not be inserted into Birkat Hamazon of this meal since it is no longer actually Purim. Some act stringently and send Mishloach Manot on Shabbat as well (where there is an Eruv) and this is indeed admirable.

8 Halachot Most Popular

Mincha Prayer on the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet

By popular request: This year when the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet coincides with Erev Shabbat, what is the best time for Mincha prayers to be held? The Custom Throughout the Year In general, Mincha on Friday afternoons is held in the synagogue approximately twenty minutes before sunset, after wh......

Read Halacha

The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet When it Coincides with Erev Shabbat

This coming Friday will mark the Tenth of Tevet, a public fast day observed throughout the Jewish nation until the arrival of Mashiach which marks the day the king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem with the intent of destroying it. The verse (Yechezkel 24) states: “And the word of Hashem was to me......

Read Halacha

Lighting Chanukah Candles on Motza’ei Shabbat and Electric Chanukah Candles

On Motza’ei Shabbat Chanukah, in the synagogue, Chanukah candles are lit first and only following this is Havdala recited in order to delay the departure of Shabbat as much as possible. Although the one lighting the Chanukah candles removes the sanctity of Shabbat from himself, nevertheless, t......

Read Halacha

Parashat Ki Tetze

Gathered from the teachings of Maran Rebbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztzvk”l (from the years 5744-5772) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Ellul is the Time to Engage in Battle Against the Yetzer Hara, ......

Read Halacha


Eating and Washing Oneself on Yom Kippur

Regarding the custom of Kapparot, we have discussed in the past that this custom may be fulfilled through money. A bill is taken ($10, $20, etc.) and circled around the head of the atoned party three times, and the following text is recited: “This money is in your stead, your substitute, and y......

Read Halacha

Parashat Vayechi

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) By Yosef Forgiving his Brothers Hashem Forgives Us We shall read in this week’s Parashah,......

Read Halacha

Parashat Shemot

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Emulating Moshe Rabbeinu’s Primary Virtues of Mercy and Compassion for all Creatures, and Ho......

Read Halacha

Lighting the Chanukah Candles

The Mitzvah of Lighting Chanukah Candles There is a Mitzvah to light Chanukah candles throughout all eight nights of Chanukah (beginning from next Wednesday night). The Sephardic custom is to light one set of Chanukah candles per house. The Ashkenazi custom, however, is that every member of the hou......

Read Halacha