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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