Purim 5781: A Time for Mindfulness and Care
As we prepare for this upcoming Purim, we can remind ourselves how this past year might have been different had we only known last Purim what we know now. We now do know, however, that Purim has the potential to be a “super-spreader” of the terrible pandemic, and are required to think of our neighbors’ and family members’ health and safety with great gravity and concern, especially as more highly infectious strains of the COVID-19 virus are proliferating. We are, by now, all well-schooled in proper safety guidelines; in case anyone needs a reminder, please see here for the latest CDC guidance.
Based on consultation with our rabbinic leadership and medical specialists, the Agudah is providing the following recommended guidelines for the upcoming Purim. Specific areas that require mindfulness and care this year include:
Heightened Public Scrutiny: It is critical to remind ourselves that the eyes of the world are upon us, and will likely be watching us closely this Purim. Acting appropriately in public is always important; how much more so this Purim.
Mesibos and Seudos: Community Purim seudos, mesibos, or other gatherings, even with appropriate precautions, should be avoided.
Megillah Reading: Depending upon circumstances, and under the guidance of local rabbonim, shuls should consider adding extra sessions of Megillah reading to ensure that everyone can hear the Megillah without dangerous overcrowding.
Collecting and Distributing Tzedakah: Both givers and collectors of tzedakah funds in each community should minimize contact and social interaction this Purim. Of course, matanos l’evyonim and tzedakah should remain at least at the same level as previous years. Bochurim should not go out in groups to collect money. Mosdos whose talmidim usually circulate through communities might consider, this year, setting up a phone bank where the bochurim can call the yeshiva’s supporters for donations.
Drinking: In light of the extra need to be careful with COVID-19 transmission, and with the imperative of avoiding chillul Hashem, it is even more important that bochurim, and those hosting them, follow the established guidelines of the gedolim about not getting drunk on Purim, available here.
Mishloach Manos: In fulfilling the mitzvah of mishloach manos, it would be prudent to limit our mishloach manos giving and to minimize social interaction with the people to whom we give.
Suspected Illness: Anyone suspected positive for COVID-19 or who has been exposed to COVID-19 must not go to shul. Consult with your rav on how to fulfill the mitzvos of Purim while keeping the appropriate doctor-approved precautions.
May we be zoche to observe Purim this year properly and safely with a full measure of simchah shel mitzvah!
No guidelines were issued for midwinter vacation as thousands flew to Florida and Dubai potentialy spreading the virus but the mitzvas hayom of Purim is restricted.
ReplyDeleteThere has been no word on guidelines since sukkos why are they all of a sudden concerned about public scrutiny
What a foolish point to make.
DeleteEveryone has to celebrate Purim, so guidelines need to be given.
If you don't want to go to Dubai, don't. Who is forcing you?
How easy was that?
no no
Deleteonly when it comes to miztvos the "askanim" have what to say but vacations....
This is so incredibly stupid. Every night there several jam packed weddings with everyone hands and dancing in each others faces. Why is purim anything worse?
ReplyDeletethe real question is who wrote this up & whos initiative ? does anyone think the gedolim called zweibel and said we need takanas or is the other way around .. the board calling the rabbonim saying we blew it last purim , the chassidim will be yom tov we need to do something .. so that to the media we are not them. u give aguda the benefit of the doubt but will respectfully ask some insiders what was the process
ReplyDeleteThere were no guidelines for the packed nightly weddings, vorts, sheva brachos, supermarkets, shabbatons, Orlando midwinter, the list goes on and on but now that purim is here they issue guidelines/ let people decide on their own instead of dictating how to live and do avodas hashem.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the answer is because purim the greatest mitzvhas hayom is vhavata lreacha kamocha , thats the purpose of all the mitzvos hayom so maybe the best way to be mekayem the mitzvah is to be overzealous in our consideration of the life and safety and health of our brethren. We became a people that are so shallow we dont even understand the purpose of our mitzvos cryit about not being able to celebrate Purim because we have to be extra careful about another human beings safety and life. Is missing the boat totally for what Purim stands for .
ReplyDeleteSad how people think everything is mutar in the name of avodas hashem.
ReplyDeleteAgudah would love to make guidelines for all those things to but they pick the battles they think they may win or help.
Additionally all those who want to know are aware that there is a new strain going around now thats putting lots of young people especially pregnant woman at risk. And alot of people are getting the new strain even though they had it the first time . Si hes now is a time for hischadshuys to be more careful.
Purim should be a reminder what happened last year frim purim and hence hope we are extra careful this year.
Every person who is mezalzel in the danger of the virus has blood on their hands
ReplyDeletehttps://newtransformation6.wixsite.com/meahshearimnews
Deletechillul hasham YOU sonei yisroel
Don't forget Yeshivas Mordechai HaZadik started by SM and is now universally accepted (with all kind of other people taking credit for this).
ReplyDeleteIn that Zechut no one will get sick this year..