This Wednesday, March 23
rd is Ta'anis Esther.
The Ta'anis begins at
6:01am.
On this day, we relive the days of Ta'anis and Tefila established by Esther before she approached Achashverosh (initially, the ta'anis was for 3 days, the fourteenth through the sixteenth of Nissan, which includes the first two days of Pesach. The ta'anis was moved to the day before Purim, as we do not fast in Nissan, unless it is an emergency. Thus Ta'anis Esther is a day that is mesugal for Tefila.) We fast to acknowledge that Hashem sees and hears anyone in distress that will fast & do teshuva with his whole heart (as in the time of Purim)
Pregnant and nursing women do not fast. Someone ill in bed does not fast. One who is not feeling well, should consult with the Rav.
Medication may be taken. If one is unable to swallow medication without water, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach permits swallowing a little water to enable swallowing.
Aneinu is said by Mincha (the Shliach Tzibbur, says it by Shacharis as well).
If one forgets Aneinu, he need not repeat Shemonah Esrei.
The Ta'anis ends at
8:13pm, however preferably we wait to eat until after Megilla. Those hearing a later Megilla may eat a little but not a meal.
On Taanis Esther, the custom of Machatzis Hashekel is performed. During the times of the Beis Hamikdash, every male above the age of 20 would give a half shekel to the Beis Hamikdash. Today, in remembrance of that mitzva, every person (the Mishna Berura includes women and children) gives 3 half dollar coins (the husband/father generally gives on behalf of the family); we give 3 since the word Terumah is mentioned 3 times; in each country a person should give half of the local currency, for example, Jews in North Korea give half a North Korean Won, Jews in Chad give half a CFA franc etc.).
In some communities the value of half a shekel (7 grams of silver) is given.
The Shul will have half dollars. Before or after Mincha, a person should purchase 3 half dollars per family member, and place them in the basket on the bima. The money goes to tzedaka.
Purim
There are 4 mitzvos on Purim-Reading* the Megilla twice, mishloach manos, matanos l'evyonim, and a seuda. Note: All the mitzvos of Purim are incumbent on men and women.
*The mitzvah is to actually read the Megilla; this mitzvah can be fulfilled through hearing it read from a Kosher Megilla.
1. Megilla-Every person must read/hear the Megilas Esther 2 times on Purim; once at night and once during the day. Every word of the Megilla must be heard as it is read from a Kosher Scroll. Alternatively, one may fulfill their obligation by reading the Megilla themselves, however, it must be read from a Kosher Megilla. If one loses their place during the kriah, they may read to themselves (from a printed Megilla) until they catch up to the ba'al korei, provided they heard at least a little more than half the Megilla from a kosher Megilla.
2. Mishloach Manos-Every person must give 2 items of food to one other person. The foods can be the same brocha. There is a machlokes if the two foods can be the same type, provided they are prepared differently (for example, a piece of fried chicken, and a piece of BBQ chicken). The foods cannot be raw.
One should try to send at least one mishloach manos through a shliach (the shliach can be a family member).
3. Matanos L'evyonim-Every person must give charity to 2 needy people on Purim, minimally the value of a meal-bagel and a drink.
The Rambam writes that one should spend more on Matanos L'evyonim than the other mitzvos hayom.
4. Seudas Purim-A person must have a festive meal on Purim.
The seudah is the time when the parents share with their families and guests, in detail, the greatness of the nissim according to their ability.
There is a machlokes if one needs to wash on bread. L'chatchila, one should certainly endeavor to do so.
Halachos in hebrew by the Rov
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