With tens of thousands of Jews around the world forced to spend the Purim holiday in isolation because of the coronavirus outbreak, organizations are working to make sure that megillah (the Book of Esther) readings are being made accessible to as many people as possible.
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Tzohar and Ohr Torah Stone's "Yachad" program are partnering to host megillah readings and Purim activities in 550 locations around Israel. In accordance with Health Ministry guidelines, the events are hosted outside closed synagogues.
Tzohar chairman Rabbi David Stav stressed that anyone who might have the slightest chance of carrying a contagious disease was prohibited from exiting their home. He explained that public health concerns had made certain adjustments to traditional observance mandatory.
"While in most years one would not be permitted to hear the megillah by phone or online, this year when we are facing a crisis that has thousands of people isolated in their homes, it would be completely permissible and we, therefore, urge anyone who can't leave their homes to listen and watch via live online readings," Stav said.
Participants in the events will receive copies of the megillah, with explanations. For the first time, over 2,000 copies are being printed in Amharic.
"Megillah BaKehilla means, literally, 'reading the scroll of Esther within the community,'" said Rabbi Kenneth Brander, president of Ohr Torah Stone.
"The key to all of Yachad's programming is the ideal that Judaism belongs to all of us and therefore needs to be made accessible to everyone. This year, due to the large number of people in isolation, Ohr Torah Stone will be hosting a live stream of the megillah reading on our Facebook page on Monday at 7:30 p.m., so that even individuals who feel alone can still celebrate Purim as part of the whole."
