Readings for Purim, Monday Night, March 2, 2026
Purim
Megillah Esther
This reading fulfills the first half of the rule that “Each person, man and woman alike is obligated to hear the reading of the Megillah at night and during the day.” This is the “central observance” of Purim. While laws pertaining to the holiday may be found in the Talmudic Tractate known as “Megillah,” the simplest compendium of the rules is in Chapter 141 of the Kitzur Shulchon Oruch, copies of which are available in very readable English translation.
Readings for Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (14th of Adar)
Purim - Shacharit (Morning
Service)
17:8-16 Shemot (Exodus)
The Torah portion describes the battle between that Amalekites and the Israelites that took place in the Wilderness after the Exodus. According to tradition, Haman is a descendant of the Amalekites, specifically Agag, who was an Amalekite King. The reading is one verse short of the standard ten usually required, so the last verse is repeated.
Megillah Esther
The Megillah is read after the Torah has been returned to the ark and half-kaddish has been chanted. This reading fulfills the second half of the rule that “Each person, man and woman alike is obligated to hear the reading of the Megillah at night and during the day.”
Purim
Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar. In preparation, here are a few customs and ceremonies related to the holiday. The emphasis is on the word few. This is not intended to be a complete compendium of the customs, ceremonies or the reasons for the observances. I will leave that to the professionals in the community. The rules concerning Purim cover nine pages in Volume II of the Kitzur Shulchon Oruch (a code of Jewish ritual law). The material is found in two chapters called respectively, “The Reading of the Magillah” and “Sending Presents of Food, Giving Gifts to the Poor, and the Purim Feast.” These chapter headings should give you an idea as to the thrust of the holiday observances.
The
Half-Shekel
We always remember the poor at Purim. It became a custom to give three half-shekels or in our case three half-dollars to the poor so that they could enjoy the holiday as well.
Shalach
Monos (Yiddish)
Purim is a time for giving gifts. Traditionally the gifts consist of two consumable items that do not require further preparation. These may include hamantaschen, other kinds of cookies, cakes or candy as well as grape juice or wine. In some communities the making and delivery of Shalach Monos baskets has become a Sisterhood fundraising activity. At any rate, these treats are delivered by a third party. Frequently children get to play the part of gift deliverers.
Reading the
Megillah
Everybody, regardless of sex, is to hear the reading both in the evening and again in the morning. There are numerous rules about the proper way the reading is to take place. Interestingly, the name of G-d does not appear in the Megillah.
Eating and
Drinking
Purim is a holiday of great joy. Traditionally a festive meal, including meat, is to be consumed during the day of Purim.
Two Scrolls
- Two Women - Two Outcomes
Two of the five
scrolls are named for women - The Scroll of Esther and The Scroll of
Ruth. Ruth tells the story of
a convert who chooses to move to Eretz Israel, who observes the commandments
including caring for the widow, gleaning and chalitzah. Her merit is such that she becomes the
Matriarch for the House of David which includes David, Solomon and ultimately
the Moshiach. Esther tells the
story of a Jewess who marries a non-Jew.
Yes, she does it as part of the Divine Plan and yes she does save her people.
Of course she does this by using the
skills of the courtesan and the harem girl.
Furthermore, according to tradition, her son is King Darius of Persia
and Darius is no Jew. In other words,
the line of the born Jew - Esther - disappears from view. The line of the Jew by choice - Ruth - is
with us to this day. In the 21st
century, questions have been raised about the on-going viability of the
American Jewish community. According to
some, it would behoove us to look at the lives of these two great women for a
clue as to what action steps need to be taken.
First, they would say, we must tap into the zeal of the Jews by choice,
embracing them, educating them in the ways of our people while acknowledging
their worth and contributions At the
same time, we must reach out and hold on to those who feel themselves to be at
the outer rim of house of Israel. We
must provide them the education that goes with being an Ashish Chayil in the
truest sense of the word. We must draw
them back so that Darius will join David as Jews ensuring the future of our
people.
