This Week at BMH-BJ

PURIM THIS WEEK

It's hard to believe that Purim marks a year of living with COVID-19. To help us celebrate Purim and fulfill the miztvot associated with the festival, please read the following brief guide.
 
Purim is preceeded by the Fast of Esther, a sunrise to sunset fast on Thursday February 25. We commemorate our solidarity with Esther as she prepared to approach the King on behalf of her people. We will have regular minyan in our Sanctuary that morning at 6:30 AM. Click HERE to register. There will be a Mincha and Maariv service in the chapel starting at 5:35 PM. We will read Torah and end the fast with maariv. Please click HERE to register for that service.
 
Purim starts on Thursday after the Fast. There is a mitzvah to hear Megillat Esther twice on Purim - once at night and once on Purim day. We will read the Megillah in the Sanctuary at 6:30 PM sharp on Thursday.  The reading will be accompanied by a special multi media presentation guaranteed to make you laugh and to help you better follow the reading. Unfortunately, we are limiting the number of people who can attend, due to COVID. If you plan to hear the reading in person - the ideal way to fulfill this mitzvah - you must register to attend. Please click HERE to do so. There will also be a live reading on Friday February 26 during the regular morning minyan in the Sanctuary at 6:30 AM. Please click HERE to register for that.
 
We will be livestreaming this reading as well. While not the ideal way to fulfill the mitzvah, under the exigent circumstances such as presented by COVID, one may fulfill the mitzvah this year virtually. Please register for the link by clicking HERE.
 
There are three other mitzvot we can fulfill on Purim:
Mishloach Manot - care packages of food given to at least two people. Of course, every effort should be made for contactless delivery due to COVID.
Matanot Le'evyonim - charity to those in need. Maimonides writes that we should emphasize charity on Purim more than mishloach manot. This might be the ideal year to do that with so many struggling financially due to the effects of COVID.
Seudat Purim - the Purim Meal. Some kind of festive meal should be enjoyed on Purim. It need not be anything overly fancy - Rabbi Soloveitchik once remarked that a tuna fish sandwich eaten while being mindful of Purim fulfills the mitzvah. Because Purim is on erev shabbat, it is preferable to have the seudah in the morning or early afternoon. This will allow getting ready for Shabbat properly and will not curb our appetite for the delicious Shabbat meal that we all enjoy on Friday nights.
 
Purim Sameach to Everyone! May our spirits be lifted on this most joyous of holidays.

Purim Schedule