Purim 5783
For Quick Reference:
Mishloach Manot | Matanot L'Evyonim | Mikrah Megillah | Mishteh/Seudat Purim | Minhagim
MITZVOT HAYOM*
*According to the Rambam (Hilchot Megillah 2:14), there is only one Mitzvah of the day that encompasses everything below (HT RHC)
MISHLOACH MANOT
To fulfill one’s obligation of Mishloach Manot one must send two different items of food to at least one person on the day of Purim.
Additionally, you are invited to participate in our Mishloach Manot Project. This is a joint project of Congregation Sons of Israel and Politz Day School of Cherry Hill. This is a major fundraising project that benefits these institutions and we hope that you will participate generously.
The deadline for participation was February 26th. Thank you to all those who participated.
Help package Mishloach Manot to be distributed throughout the community.
Contact Oze Henig at oze.henig@gmail.com for details and to volunteer.
If you have questions or concerns with your order, contact us at ShalachManot.CherryHill@
Please note that this effort does not fulfill one’s obligation for Mishloach Manot on Purim day.
MATANOT L’EVYONIM
To fulfill one’s obligation of Matanot L’Evyonim, a person must give one gift each to at least two poor people, themselves or through a messenger, on the day of Purim. Each poor person should be given at least the amount of food that is usually eaten at a regular meal, or the amount of money required to buy this. It is better to spend more on this mitzvah than on Mishloach Manot (sending food packages) and the Purim Seudah (feast).
You can fulfill the Mitzvah of Matanot L'Evyonim (charity to the poor) through our Mishloach Manot webpage (see link above) by February 22nd. You can also give cash or check (earmarked in the memo towards Matanot L’Evyonim) to Rabbi Davies. There will also be collection plates for Matanot L’Evyonim at the various minyanim and megillah readings over Purim (as well as plates for Machatzit HaShekel - see Minhagei HaYom below). While there are so many worthy causes and people in need, the mitzvah of Matanot L'Evyonim is specifically to enable those less fortunate to enhance their observance of Purim. Therefore, we will be distributing the majority of the funds locally, and will be sending to those in need in Israel as well.
The latest time to give Matanot L’Evyonim through the Shul and ensure that it will fulfill your Mitzvah is 10:30am on Purim morning, Tuesday, March 7th, although you are encouraged to give in your Tzedakah earlier so that we can determine how much we have to give.
KRIYAT HAMEGILLAH
We are pleased to provide a number of Megillah reading options so that there will be opportunity for everyone to hear the Megillah this year. Here is our schedule of readings (all Megillah readings will take place in the Main Sanctuary unless otherwise noted):
Purim night- 3/6
Mincha 5:25pm / Maariv 6:25pm / Megillah reading approximately 6:35pm
Late Megillah reading- 9:15pm
*if someone attends a later Megillah reading that is not immediately after nightfall (6:38pm), it is permitted to break the Fast of Esther before hearing Megillah with liquids and a snack, but preferably not a full meal. This is all as long as one has set the time to hear the Megillah at a later point.
Purim Day- 3/7
Shacharit 6:30am followed by Megillah at 7:15am approximately
Shacharit 8:30am followed by Megillah at 9am approximately
Later morning Megillah reading - 10:30am
Afternoon Megillah reading - 4pm
If you have a child who is attending school on Purim and will need an “after school” Megillah reading, or you have extenuating circumstances and require a private reading or to make other arrangements, please be in touch with Rabbi Davies or the ritual committee.
MISHTEH/SEUDAT PURIM
*NEW* 2pm Mincha on Purim Day
**There will be a 2pm Mincha Minyan at SOI in order to accommodate those who plan to have their Seudah extend into the evening.**
We will also have our regularly scheduled Mincha/Maariv at 5:40pm.
Your Purim Seudah (feast) should be held during the daytime (This year, beginning before 5:58pm). It is also customary to extend the meal until after dark. Even if the meal finishes after dark, we still include the paragraph of Al HaNissim in Birkat HaMazon.
This year, there are many opportunities to celebrate together throughout the community. Please join us for any/all of the wonderful programs happening around the Purim celebration:
MINHAGEI HAYOM
We hope you enjoy your Hamentaschen and look forward to seeing some great costumes over Purim. Here are a couple of notes about some other Minhagim/Customs of the day:
MACHATZIT HASHEKEL
There is a custom to offer the value of three half-dollars, preferably in advance of Megillah reading on Purim night. Technically, this can be done by making a donation to Tzedaka worth $1.50 and saying “Zecher LeMachatzit HaShekel” (in memory of the half-Shekel).
According to one opinion, only men from age 20 are obligated. According to other opinions, all men above bar mitzvah are obligated. However, the custom is that a father gives on behalf of all his sons, whatever their ages. The custom is also to give if one's wife is pregnant, in case the baby is a boy. Of course, anyone who would like to contribute is more than welcome.
There will be plates available at each of the Megillah readings throughout Purim to allow for people to partake of this Minhag.
Please note that this does not fulfill one’s obligation for Matanot L’Evyonim.
RA’ASHANIM/GRAGGERS
There are many factors to consider with regard to the custom of making noise during the Megillah reading when hearing Haman’s name. Please be considerate of those around you and follow the instructions at each of the Megillah readings so that we can perform this Minhag (and the Mitzvah of Megillah reading) appropriately. The early morning minyan on Purim day will not have noisemaking during the Megillah reading.
A wonderful idea for this year is to bring a box of pasta to use as a Gragger (noisemaker) during the Megillah reading and then donate it to the food pantry for the food drive - a great way to combine so many elements of Purim celebration into one!