A Clinician’s Guide To Purim
Based on the talk by Rabbi Shimmy Steinmetz
Edited by Mendel Jacobs
Introduction
Between the First and Second Beis Hamikdash, Haman attempted genocide against the entirety of the Jewish People. Through God's divine providence, his plan was reversed, and in one day, the Jews went from threat of destruction to prominence. On the 13th of Adar, we keep four mitzvos in remembrance of this event. We read the Megillah to remember the miracle (Persumei Nisa). We increase love and friendship in the community by giving out money to people experiencing poverty, giving food to friends, and gathering for a festive meal to (Shulchan Aruch:695). For many clinicians, balancing clinical responsibilities with the festivities of Purim can be difficult. This guide addresses common questions and provides practical solutions for those on shift during Purim.
Megillah
Hearing the Megillah once on the night of Purim and once by day is a religious obligation for both men and women. However, the Ba''hag rules that the obligation for men and women is different. He writes that women have a chiyuv of "hearing" the Megillah, while men have a chiyuv of reading and hearing. While this is a minority opinion, the Shulchan Aruch rules that one should heed this opinion and that a man should read the megilla if possible. Some opinions hold that the megillah reading was instituted as a public event and necessitates at least a minyan of Jews. If one cannot attend a minyan for Megillah, the Shulchan Aruch rules that an individual can fulfill the mitzvah by reading it themselves. When reading the megilla alone, one should not recite the last bracha of "HaRav Es Revienu" (Rama source---) as it is a bracha that was intended to be said as a public thanks and can only be said in the setting of a minyan.
Interruptions
When one is reading the Megillah alone in the hospital, ideally, it should be read uninterrupted and in one sitting. However, as this can take a considerable amount of time, the Shulchan Aruch (690:5) rules that if one is interrupted, one can read in "sirugin"(spurts and finish the megilla in multiple sittings). However, while reading in "spurts" is allowed, completely pausing and reading the meguilla in multiple distinct readings would not fulfill one's obligation. The maximum pause that one would be able to delay in their reading is about the time it takes to read the Megillah( around 45 minutes). In other words, no single interruption can be more than 45 minutes.
The Mishnah Berurah (690:18) qualifies this by saying that this distinction between an interruption and a complete pause is only true if one had to take an involuntary pause (Onnes). However, if the pause was voluntary (one was not an Onnes), one should return to the beginning regardless. Whether clinical duties are Halachaikly categorized as an involuntary interruption is a matter of disagreement in modern rabbinic responsa, and one should ask their rabbinical authority. Rav Elyashiv ruled that if one takes a short break and continues the megilla reading, one recites a new bracha and then continues where they left off.
Reading from Klaff with headphones on
If no one else is around, then one should read it with the traditional cantillation on a scroll. As it is hard to learn the cantillation and proper grammar, one can also fulfill the mitzvah by reading it from a scroll with headphones on. Suppose, for any reason, a clinician is unable to fulfill the mitzvah in any of these ways. There is precedence to be yotzei through a live reading over the phone(Rav Gedalya Dov Shwartz Hadarom v. 77 5782).
Mishloch Manos/Matanos L'evyonim
There is a machlokes behind the reasoning of why we give out mishloach manos on Purim. The Trumas Hadeshen says (Siman 111) it is to enhance the seudah of one's friends. However the Manos HaLevi (9:3) says it is to increase friendship, peace and love. These reasons will have implications on how to fulfill the mitzvah.
To fulfill the mitzvah Mishloach Manos, one must give two foods to two people. It is ideal to give food that will enhance another’s meal, however giving any food and drink (besides water) fulfills one’s obligation. To fulfill the mitzvah of Matanos L'evyonim, one must give one meal to two people experiencing poverty. Every year this amount can fluctuate based on the price of goods. Therefore this year, one should give a minimum of 10.00 dollars for each meal, totaling 20 dollars. Both a man and woman are obligated in this mitzvah, therefore a couple would give 40 dollars to fulfill this mitzvah.
Option 1 - Messenger (also works for Matanos Levyonim)
Based on the pasuk's use of the word U'Mishloach, the Mishnah Berurah (695:7) brings down a discussion if one needs a messenger to fulfill the mitzvah of Mishaloch Manos. Although one does not need to appoint a shliach to fulfill the mitzvah itself, one may definitely use a shliach to give out Mishloch Manos. Therefore it is not hard to fulfill the mitzvah of Mishloach Manos, even if one is very busy on Purim itself.
Option 2 - Give Before Purim, as long as it is received on Purim (also works for Matanos Levyonim)
The Be'er Hetev discusses (ibid) another option for a clinician in the hospital during Purim to fulfill the mitzvah of Mishloch Manos. A clinician can give out Mishloch Manos and Matanos L'evyonim before Purim as long as they are received on Purim. Nowadays, many institutions and companies offer this service. These two options above are also ways to fulfill the mitzvah of Matanos L'evyonim.
Option 3 - Give to a sick patient
If one cannot appoint a shliach or plan a shalach manos to be given out on Purim, one can give Mishloach Manos to a patient in the hospital. However, one should be careful when giving food out as there are machlokes brought down if one can give Mishloach Manos to someone who cannot eat the food for medical reasons. The Nishmas Avraham quotes (695:1) Rav Yehoshua Neuwirth that one should not give specific foods that a patient can't eat as that does not increase his joy on Purim. However, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Zilberstien ruled that one may satisfy this obligation by the gesture of giving food to a patient whether or not they are in the state to enjoy it.
Option 4 - Exchange and buy a meal with/for someone else
If there are no Jewish patients around or for whatever reason, the options mentioned so far do not work, one can exchange one's meal with another doctor in the hospital. The Ran says that one can fulfill the mitzvah of Mishaloch Manos by exchanging one's Purim Seudah. When one sits down for their Purim seudah, one should go with another doctor, and they both should either exchange their meals or buy each other the seudah. This way, they both fulfill the mitzvah of Mishloach Manos and have a seudah on Purim.
Seudah
It is a machlokes Rishonim if bread is integral to the seudah of Purim. The Magen Avraham says (695:9) that there is no need for bread to fulfill the mitzvah of seudah. However, the Aruch HaShulchan says (695:7) that one's meal should be on par with a Shabbos or Yom Tov meal. Therefore, one should ideally have bread and meat when eating the festive Purim meal.
Traditionally, this meal is celebrated with an abundance of wine or other alcohol. It is obvious that a clinician on call is completely forbidden from drinking.
Conclusion
To conclude, in the words of the Aruch Hashulchan (696:5), when one is performing the mitzvos of Purim, one should be diligent and put energy into fulfilling the mitzvos of Purim. Even if they appoint messengers to do the mitzvah, one should still put in energy and not leave it up to their spouse. In addition, ideally, one should be with their family on Purim as well, as it is an integral theme for Yom Tov. In General, Clinicians can have very little time for anything and be very busy over their shifts. Because a clinician is involved with the mitzvah of refuah, one is exempt from other mitzvos. If one is extremely busy over the day and only has time to fulfill some of the mitzvos of the day, one should do what one can to celebrate the holiday. If one doesn't have time for all the obligations, hearing the Megillah is the most important, then having a Seudah (festive meal), then giving out Mishloach Manos and Matanos Levyonim.
For Further Exploration:
JPN Podcast for the sources and audio version
Rav Yossi Sprung relevant Teshuvot:
Food Allergies, Celiac Disease, and Mischloach Manos
Guidelines for Medical Personnel on Shabbos Zachor, Taanis Esther, and Purim