Parshas Tetzaveh (Zachor) 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Feb 28
- 2 min read
Selected Halachos for Parshas Zachor and Megillah
Kavanah During Parshas Zachor. Prior to reading Parshas Zachor, everyone should have in mind to fulfill the mitzvah of "זכירת עמלק" - remembering what Amalek did to Bnei Yisroel, and the mitzvah to wipe them out. People should also concentrate on being יוצא with the Birchas HaTorah that are said (1).
Kriah for Women. There is a difference of opinion among the Poskim if ladies are obligated to hear Parshas Zachor before Purim (2). Ladies should try to come and hear it. If they cannot make it, they can come to shul on Purim morning before Megillah and hear the Purim Kriah which the Magen Avraham holds (3) can fulfill their obligation. In many shuls on Purim morning, it is announced before the Kriah that anyone who wants to be yotzei should have in mind to do so with all three aliyos.
Concentrating on the Megillah. If one heard the majority of Megillas Esther but might have missed a few words here and there, he may still be יוצא בדיעבד by reading those words from a kosher Megillah, or even from a chumash. If he misses, or possibly misses, a word during the kriah, he should say the word to himself and quickly catch up to the Baal Koreh (4). If his mind completely wanders during Megillah laining, many poskim (5) rule that his mitzvah has not been fulfilled. It is advisable for a person to keep his finger on the place to help him concentrate and ensure hearing the Megillah minimally enough. It is proper to announce before the daytime Megillah reading, to have in mind that the 'ברכת שהחיינו' should apply to all the mitzvos of Purim day (6) משלוח מנות, סעודת פורים, מתנות לאביונים, etc. When the four posukim in the Megillah are read aloud by the congregation, people should be careful not to begin until the Baal Koreh has completely finished the previous word. If they did begin a bit too early, it is incumbent upon the reader to repeat the last cut-off phrase when he resumes laining (7). If he did not do so, each individual may say those words to himself. After the Megillah, the congregation is required to stand again for the berachos following (8).
(1) מנהג חתם סופר (2) עיין כל השיטות הובא בס' אשי ישראל מט:ח (3) או"ח תרפה:א (4) שם תרצ:ד (5) עיין לבושי שרד, נמוקי ארח חיים תרצ (6) מ"ב תרצב:א (7) שם תרצב:א (8) בן איש חי תצוה