FEBRUARY 18 • 2021 | 17
T
he Orthodox Union
(OU) and the Rabbinical
Council of America
(RCA) have issued guidelines
to ensure health and safety at
Purim, which starts at sundown
on Feb. 25.
Purim celebrates the deliver-
ance of the Jews, led by Esther
and her uncle Mordechai, from
a plot to exterminate them by
the evil Haman, the king’s chief
minister. It is a time of rejoicing,
exchanging gifts of food and,
usually, of partying.
It was easier last year, just
before the COVID shutdowns
started.
The Orthodox Union and
Rabbinical Council guidelines
recognize that some who have
been fully vaccinated and
passed the subsequent waiting
period might be able to return
to pre-pandemic habits. But it
warns that public and commu-
nal practice should continue to
reflect pandemic standards for
masking and social distancing.
The groups urge synagogues
and communities to follow the
guidelines of their state and
local health departments.
Groups may conduct a public
service and reading of the Book
of Esther (Megillah) if they can
do so safely, and those who are
able should attend such a live
gathering, they say. The clear
majority of Halachic authorities
do not approve of a Megillah
reading heard over the phone
or online. A minority allows
electronic reading, but only if it
is live, not prerecorded.
Purim meals and get-together
“must necessarily be limited,
”
they say, and limitd to their
family “bubble.
”
Mishloach manot, the
exchange of gifts of food, is low-
risk because the packages can
be left at the door of the recip-
ient. Any greeting or visiting
can be done outdoors at a safe
distance.
AID THE ISOLATED
The guidelines also urge the
community to pay special
attention to the isolated —
especially the elderly and
others who live alone — and
the exhausted, including
health care workers, educators
and clergy. Communities are
encouraged to think about
ways to celebrate together
without crowds, such as send-
ing a music truck through
neighborhoods.
“I appreciate
and applaud the
leadership of the
OU and the RCA
in providing the
guidance for how
we can fulfill our
spiritual pursuits
while maintaining
our physical safety,
” said Rabbi
Shaya Katz of Young Israel of
Oak Park.
“In the spirit of Purim, a time
when we celebrate the efforts
made by individuals to protect
the Jewish people, it is incum-
bent upon us to maintain the
best practices of COVID health
and safety guidelines in our
shuls. We hope that in response
to our efforts, God similarly
brings us salvation from the
current pandemic.
”
Rabbi
Shaya Katz
Orthodox organizations issue
guidelines for Purim.
A Safe Purim
BARBARA LEWIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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