With the outbreak of Operation Roaring Lion between Iran and Israel, one might expect Purim plans to grind to a halt. And yet, people across the country have moved their celebrations underground and plan to carry out the mitzvot (commandments) of the holiday, even while the country is under fire.
In Tel Aviv, a planned mass mishloach manot (food exchange)/matanot l’evyonim (money to the poor) packaging event on Sunday was canceled due to instructions from the Home Front Command. Instead, hundreds of people sent Purim mitzvah money to North Central Synagogue, and thousands of items were purchased.
“We put a huge effort into our mishloach manot/matanot l’evyonim projects,” Rabbi Joe Wolfson of North Central Synagogue told The Jerusalem Post. He explained that typically, the community makes care packages and gift packages for the hundreds of men and women in Tel Aviv experiencing homelessness, for the dozens of Holocaust survivors in Tel Aviv, and, in the last few years, mishloach manot for now-former hostage families around the country.
“We’ve raised thousands of dollars – tens of thousands of shekels from hundreds of people. We have purchased lots of supplies, and despite everything happening and all of the chaos, we’re making a massive effort to make sure it still takes place.”
Instead of the big packaging event, a small group met at the homeless shelter to package hundreds of packages.
“I could not be prouder of the massive effort made by those who came to pack today, who braved sirens, stress, lack of transportation, the ban on gatherings, etc., to make sure that hundreds of gorgeous Purim gift packages were nevertheless assembled and will be ready for collection and distribution in time for Purim,” Wolfson added.
“This is really important for me because it’s a mitzvah that I love so much, and people get very into it and involved, and I want to imagine what it is like for an elderly Holocaust survivor in Tel Aviv or a family of one of the former hostages within this balagan (craziness) to receive a knock on the door on Purim day and [hear] someone say, ‘Hey, this is something from our community for you with a smile and lots of love.’ That’s what I want to show them.”
The typical large-scale megillah readings will not be taking place, but the synagogue is coordinating with the Tel Aviv Municipality to send megillah readers from the community to local shelters.
A group of Tel Avivians started a separate initiative called “Miklat (Shelter) Open Fest” to help people find or host a Purim celebration inside a Tel Aviv shelter.
The dedicated website allows people to open up their shelter for hosting or allows people to find a party, megillah reading, or meal nearby.
Chief Rabbinate issues instructions for Purim celebrations
The Chief Rabbinate provided guidelines and instructions for the days of Purim during the war in a letter on Sunday.
“Ahead of the upcoming Purim days, our duty is to increase joy and thanksgiving for the kindness of heaven and to fulfill the commandments of the day. Joy and caution are not contradictory, and adhering to security measures is inseparable from our work in these days.”
Regarding the reading of the megillah, if the siren sounds during the reading, the public should quietly proceed to the safe room. If the public is located there, they can continue reading the megillah. If not, they should wait until they can return to their original place and then continue reading from where they left off.
The mitzvah of sending portions (mishloach manot) should be “doubled” where possible, the rabbinate continued. “We must strengthen the unity and fellowship between all parts of the nation so that we are all united in one heart. We should ensure the fulfillment of this mitzvah by giving two portions to one person and, as much as possible, extend and expand it.”
“In these days, we will conduct the Purim meal with joy and thanksgiving for the many kindnesses of God. However, one should be careful not to drink excessively so as to remain able to follow the guidelines and be ready to enter safe spaces if necessary,” he added.
Many synagogues are set to hold megillah readings in hotel basements, car parks, and public shelters, while others will be broadcasting live.