Purim Parameters

Prepared for print by Faigy Peritzman

If I can’t make it to shul for parshas Zachor, should I read it myself at home from a Chumash?

Women who find it difficult to go to shul on Shabbos morning should read (or have someone else read for them) the parshah of Zachor from a Chumash. It’s not necessary nor recommended to make a special Krias HaTorah for women to hear parshas Zachor.

If I’m not fasting on Taanis Esther, what should I add in my tefillah and what should I not add?

You don’t say aneinu during Minchah if you’re not fasting, but you can still recite Selichos and Avinu Malkeinu during Shacharis and Minchah.

Is a woman obligated to give machatzis hashekel on Taanis Esther? If so, how do I go about it?

In many places it’s customary for a husband to give machatzis hashekel on behalf of his wife, and for a father to give machatzis hashekel for his sons and daughters, including minors. Although it’s not an obligation, once a husband or a father begins the custom of giving on behalf of their wife or children, he should continue doing so in future years as well. [It’s not customary for single women living alone, widows, or divorcées to give machatzis hashekel, but they may do so if they wish.]

I have someone coming to the house to read the Megillah for me and some other women. Should I make the brachos or should he?

The custom follows the opinion of the poskim who recommend that the brachos be recited by each of the women listening to the Megillah. But in a situation where there are women who don’t know how to or who are unable to recite the brachos themselves, the baal korei (or one of the women) should make the brachos for all of those present.