Mishloach
Manot in Army
Q:
I will be in the army for Purim. How can I perform the Mitzvah of
Mishloach Manot?
A:
You can send it to another soldier, even from the Mishloch Manot you receive
from Tzahal.
Tzedakah
on Purim
Q:
The Shulchan Aruch says that on Purim we should give Tzedakah to everyone who
requests, but I have heard from Ha-Rav that Rabbis estimate that 90% of beggars
are swindlers. Should we still give to them?
A:
We only give to beggars who are truly poor. Therefore, do not give to
them. It is a shame to waste the money when it could help the truly poor.
Fireworks
Q:
Is it permissible to shoot off fireworks on Purim?
A:
It is certainly forbidden. They cause all sorts of injuries, and very
severe ones. In addition they cause fear. Purim is a day to express
the love of Israel and not a day to cause pain her.
Making
Noise at Mention of Haman
Q:
Is the Minhag to make noise during the reading of the Megillah only when
Haman's name is mentioned, or also when his wife and sons are mentioned?
A:
According to the Shevet Musar, also for his wife and sons. Piskei Teshuvot
690:9. But in general, one should only make noise for Haman for a
short amount of time and one should not disrupt the reading of the
Megillah. Do not turn the essential into the unessential and the
unessential into the essential (Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach did not make any
noise at Haman's name, he did not even stamp his feet. Ve-Alehu Lo
Yibol, Vol. 1 p. 246. See She'eilat Shlomo 1:276).
Honoring
Torah Scholars on Purim
Q:
Is it permissible to have a play on Purim in which are Torah scholars imitate?
A:
One must be extremely cautious on Purim not to embarrass another person and all
the more so not to embarrass Torah scholars (Our Rabbi, Ha-Rav Tzvi Yehudah,
scolded someone who dressed up on Purim as the Chief Rabbi, Ha-Rav Shlomo
Goren. Rabbenu p. 130. And it is related that Maran Ha-Rav Kook
said Divrei Torah on Purim in the same style and with the same emphasis as his
Rav, the Netziv, but Rav Kook knew how to do so with respect and holiness, and
did not imitate his voice. See Shut She'eilat Shlomo 1:285. 4:131).
Cross-Dressing
for Purim
Q:
Is it permissible for a man to dress as a woman for Purim?
A:
Some authorities permit it, but most forbid it.
It is therefore proper to refrain.
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim end of siman 696 and Mishnah Berurah ibid
(Aruch Ha-Shulchan ibid. #12. Shut
Yechaveh Da'at 2:50. Orchot Rabbenu
3:60. A close associate of the Chazon
Ish entered his house on Purim with his 4-5 year old daughter wearing pants. The Chazon Ish said: This is education? Dinim Ve-Hanhagot of the Chazon Ish 22:10).
Toy
Gun for Children
Q:
It is permissible to buy a toy gun for children for Purim?
A:
It is okay. During the course of the year, this is inappropriate,
but it is not a problem on occasion.
Megillah
Reading by Women
Q:
Is it appropriate for women to organize a Megillah reading and read for
themselves?
A:
Certainly not. There are many problems
with doing so. Some authorities rule
that a woman should not read for herself but hear it from a man (Magen Avraham
#689). There is also a doubt as to
whether she can fulfill the Mitzvah for other women (Sha'ar Ha-Tziyun ibid.). There is also doubt as to the correct formula
of the blessing (Shulchan Aruch ibid.). Furthermore,
we should not change the established order of the prayers as they have been
over the generations (Shut Rashba 1:323).
Perhaps in doing so there is also an element of rebellion against the
Halachah in doing so (see Shut Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim 4:49). There is also a problem of immodesty even
though they are alone (Shut Eretz Tzvi #12 of Ha-Rav Tzvi Schachter).
It
is therefore preferable to act in the same manner as all of the wise and
righteous women throughout the generations (Be-Ikvei Ha-Tzon, pp. 21-37 and
Ha-Rav Yosef Soloveitchik in "Mi-Penini Ha-Rav", p. 68). There are many other blessings that women can
recite throughout their lives without any problem, and may a blessing come upon
them.
Drinking
on Purim
Q:
Is a person obligated to drink on Purim if it leads to stupidity?
A:
No. The earlier Prophets only commanded us to rejoice in a manner
that will lead us to show gratitude to Hashem, and not to behave with licentiousness
and stupidity. Furthermore, we do not perform a Mitzvah through a
transgression, such as missing Davening. Biur Halachah 695 in the
name of the Meiri and Chayei Adam. Nimukei Yosef and Meharsha on
Megillah 7b. Piskei Teshuvot 695:4. And therefore on
Purim, one should merely drink a bit more than he is accustomed to (The
Steipler related that one time he got drunk on Purim, and then decided to
refrain from doing so again. Ashkavtei De-Rebbe Vol. 1, p.
164. See Shut She'eilat Shlomo 1:274, 286. 3:159. 4:130).
