Hearing megilah in a large gathering

Hi,

We have begun to learn about Purim.

It is best to go to a Minyan to hear Megilah read, because this glorifies the miracle and so is a greater "Thank You" to Gd.

If there is no Minyan, each person who is capable should read the Megilah himself/herself, rather than hear it from someone else. This is because the reading of the Megilah is a form of "Thank You" prayer to Gd, and so without a Minyan one shouldn't really read it on behalf of another person.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 689:5; Mishneh Berurah 689:15)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Megilah reading

Hello,

Today we begin a new topic: Purim.

Every Jew is obligated to hear the Megilah read on Purim night, and again on Purim day.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 687:1, 689:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Daily Jewish Law - 2/27

Hi,

We have been learning about lashon hara.

I somehow missed posting yesterday, so here are two thoughts to make it up:

Hints toward lashon hara are forbidden, including statements like, "I don't want to say what happened."

Speaking positively about a person in the presence of his enemy, such that the enemy is likely to respond by pointing out that person's flaws, is prohibited.

(Mekor Chaim 9:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Daily Jewish Law - 2/25

Hi,

We have been learning about lashon hara, harmful speech.

It is prohibited to speak negatively of the dead, even though they will not feel or display any embarrassment in this world.

(Mekor Chaim 8:9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Daily Jewish Law - 2/24

Hi,

We have been learning about lashon hara, harmful speech.

The credibility of a reporter of lashon hara is irrelevant.

Therefore, even if the person who presents a negative report is a friend of the report's subject, the listener is not permitted to believe it.

(Mekor Chaim 8:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Daily Jewish Law - 2/22

Hi,

We have been learning about lashon hara, harmful speech.

If a person hears a negative story about someone else, and there are elements in the story that make it 100% indisputably clear to him that the story is true, he may believe the story - but he still may not repeat it to others.

(Mekor Chaim 7:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Purim Katan

Hello,

To change the topic for one day: Purim Katan is observed on the 14th day of the month of Adar I, the day which would have been Purim had the year been a non-leap year. That is today (as I write this, not as you read it), Wednesday February 20. The next day is Shushan Purim Katan, which would have been Shushan Purim had this been a non-leap year.

To celebrate these days of would-be Purim, we increase our meals and invite guests, celebrating the miracle of Purim.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 697:1; Mishneh Berurah 697:5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai