B"H

Monday, Adar 11, 5778 / February 26, 2018

Purim begins Wednesday night (February 28) through Thursday (March 1). On Purim we perform the following five special mitzvot:  

1) Reading of Megilat Esther. It is read Purim night (Wednesday night) and again on Thursday, during the Morning Prayer.

2) Reciting the Al HaNisim. Al HaNisim is a prayer thanking G-d for the miracle of Purim.  We recite it during the Amidah prayer (evening, morning and afternoon) and in the Grace-after-Meals.

3) Mishloach Manot - sending gifts.  On Purim day (Thursay), we send gifts of ready-to-eat food to friends. We send at least two kinds of food to at least one person.  By exchanging gifts, we share the joy of Purim with others.  Mishloach Manot is also an expression of Jewish unity and friendship. 

4) Matanot LaEvyonim- gifts to the poor.   On Purim day (Thursday), we must give charity, more than usual. To perform this mitzvah properly, we must give charity to at least two poor people.  Although one fulfills the mitzvah by giving to two poor people, our sages say that on Purim it is preferable to give to, "whoever stretches out their hand." Thus, it is customary that on Purim we distribute much more charity than usual and give to everyone – no questions asked...

5) Seudat Purim- Purim meal.  During the day of Purim (Thursday) we eat a sumptuous and festive meal as befitting the celebration of this great miracle.

Q.What is the reason that the sages established sending gifts on Purim? How does it commemorate the miracle of Purim?

A.According to the Talmud, G-d allowed Haman's terrible decree to take place because Jews participated at King Achashverosh's party, where non-kosher food was served. By exchanging kosher food items, we symbolically rectify this fault.

Another reason: The Megilah tells us that when Haman tried to convince the king to give him permission to annihilate the Jewish people, he said to the king, “There is one nation that is spread apart throughout your kingdom.” He identified the Jewish people as being spread apart. Although he meant that they were scattered throughout his kingdom, yet, there is a deeper meaning in this that there was a lack of unity amongst Jews themselves.  To rectify this we send gifts to each other as a sign of friendship and unity.

Our sages say, “G-d didn’t find a better vessel to contain blessings for Israel, other than Shalom-peace among each other.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY