Vol. LXVII No. 12 5776
New York City
CANDLE LIGHTING TIME
March 18, 2016 – 8 Adar II, 5776
6:48 p.m. NYC E.D.T.
Sabbath Ends: 7:49 p.m. NYC E.D.T.
Sabbath Ends: Rabbenu Tam 8:20 p.m. NYC E.D.T.
Weekly Reading: Vayikra
Weekly Haftara: Koh Amar Hashem I Kings 15:2-34
Daf Yomi: Kidushin 7
Mishna Yomit: Uktzin 1:5-6
Halacha Yomit: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 177:2-6
Rambam Yomi: Hilchos Kilayim chap. 6-8
Earliest time for Tallis and Tefillin: 6:12 a.m. NYC E.D.T.
Sunrise: 7:01 a.m. NYC E.D.T.
Latest Kerias Shema: 10:02 a.m. NYC E.D.T.
Sunset: 7:06 p.m. NYC E.D.T.
This Shabbos is Parashas Zachor. At Shacharis some recite Yotzros in the Reader’s Repetition. We take out two Torah scrolls from the Ark. In the first we read the weekly Parasha of Vayikra and call up seven Aliyos. For Maftir we read from the second scroll in Parashas Ki Tetzei (Devarim 25:17-19), from “Zachor” until the end of the Parasha. This Keriah is DeOraisa. We do not say Hazkaras Neshamos and Av HaRachamim nor do we say Tzidkas’cha at Mincha.
This coming Tuesday (March 23) is Ta’anis Esther, the fast begins at dawn, 5:31 a.m. NYC E.D.T. For those who experience any problem when fasting, see Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayyim 686:2, Rema, for leniencies in this regard. Nevertheless, it is always preferable to ask a competent Orthodox rabbi for a ruling.
Shacharis as usual with the following exceptions: In the Shemoneh Esreh repetition the chazzan adds Anenu (between Go’el Yisrael and Rofeh Yisrael). Following the repetition we say special Selichos for Ta’anis Esther, Avinu Malkenu which is recited by many congregations, VeHu Rachum, Tachanun and half Kaddish. We take out a Sefer Torah and call up three to read in Parashas Ki Tissa (32:11-14; 34:1-10 – Vayechal) and half Kaddish. We do say Yehi Ratzon and the Shacharis Tefilla then concludes as usual.
At Mincha: Ashrei, then half Kaddish. We take out the Torah scroll and we read again in Ki Tissa (VaYechal), calling up three people; the third aliya also serves as the Maftir, who reads the Haftara from Yeshayahu 55:6-56:9, Dirshu Hashem be’himatz’o. In the Shemoneh Esreh all say Anenu in Shema Kolenu, and in the repetition the chazzan says Anenu between Go’el Yisrael and Rofeh Yisrael (as in Shacharis), followed by “Birkas Kohanim” and Sim Shalom. Avinu Malkenu, Tachanun, Kaddish Tiskabbel, Aleinu, Kaddish Yasom.
It is customary prior to Mincha for each individual to give three coins, each valued at half the monetary unit of the local currency. These are called “machatzis,” in remembrance of the Machatzis Hashekel in the Temple. The fast ends according to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein at 7:53 p.m. E.D.T. (NYC), however one who experiences difficulty may eat at 7:46 p.m. E.D.T. (NYC). According to Rabbi Tukaccinsky (Gesher HaChaim) the fast ends at 7:42 p.m. E.D.T. (NYC)
Wednesday evening is Purim – Usual Maariv prayer. In the Shemoneh Esreh, Al Hanissim is added after Modim, before Ve’al Kulam. (We also add Al Hanissim in Birkas Hamazon on Purim). Following the Shemoneh Esreh, the chazzan says Kaddish Shalem with Tiskabbel. We then take the Scroll of Esther. The Ba’al Keriah spreads out his Megillah completely, folding it over and over, and he recites the three blessings: Al Mikra Megillah, She’asa Nissim, and Shehecheyanu. At the conclusion of the reading the Ba’al Keriah says “Harav es rivenu,” the congregation then says Asher Heini and Shoshanas Yaakov, followed by Kaddish Shalem (no Tiskabbel) and Aleinu.
Purim, Thursday morning, Shacharis – As at night, we add Al Hanissim in the Shemoneh Esreh. In the repetition some say Krovetz le’Purim, no Tachanum, half- Kaddish. We take out a Torah scroll from the Ark and we call up three aliyos. We read from “Vayavo Amalek” in Parashas BeShalach until the end of the Parasha, followed by half-Kaddish. After returning the Torah scroll to the Ark we again take out the Megillah and the Ba’al Keriah recites the same three blessings he said at Maariv. It is also customary to announce that all should have in mind, during the recitation of Shehecheyanu, the other mitzvos of Purim – mishlo’ach manos and Se’udas Purim. (See Mishna Berura, Orach Chayyim 692:1.) We read the Megillah (we do not remove the tefillin until we conclude the entire Tefilla). At the conclusion of the reading, the Ba’al Keriah says “Harav es rivenu” and the congregation then says Shoshanas Yaakov. We send mishlo’ach manos – two portions to at least one person (preferably readily edible foods). We give matanos la’evyonim – a minimum of one gift to each of two poor people, but one who gives more is praised. At Mincha we also add Al Hanissim. The Se’udas Purim must start while it is still day. We set a festive table with fish, meat and wine. Even if the Se’uda concludes at night, we say Al Hanissim in Birkas Hamazon. Friday is Shushan Purim, no Tachanun, no Kel erech apayim, no yehi ratzon nor Lamenatze’ach.