The Short Vort
Good Morning!
Today is Sunday the 12th of Adar 5780 and March 8, 2020
KDH
Purim is on the way; indeed, Monday night is the Megillah reading!
As most of us remember a few years ago we instituted a new policy concerning Klopping During Haman.
Just to remind everyone, the Minhag of the Shul is to “Klap During Haman” only for the first three mentioning of Haman’s name and the last three times.
Therefore we will only Klop when Haman’s name is mentioned at 3:1; 3:2; and 3:4; and for the last three which are 9:13, 14 and 24.
As there are 54 times that Haman’s name appears and there is break of about 60 seconds of klopping per name.
If we would Klop by each Haman we are extending the reading by almost an hour!
Many people have gone to work on Taanis Esther and are tired, hungry and wiped out; elongating the Megillah when not necessary is just undue hardship.
We will still be observing the practice of Klopping; albeit in a manner which I believe affords a greater sensitivity to the needs of the Tzibbur.
I have received confirmation that Rav Pam Shlita (the son of the famous Rav Pam) who is a Rav in Toronto does a similar practice.
I believe (and many in the Shul have validated me) that by doing this we will be accomplishing, “less is more”.
So remember, bring you grogger; however, it is only use it for the three times we hear Haman’s name (3:1; 3:2; and 3:4.) and again for the last three (9:13, 14 and 24).
Based on the feedback from most people (at least the ones that spoke to me)- this practice has been enthusiastically embraced by our Shul membership and I have heard about other Shuls who have adopted it as well.
I would hope this would satisfy everyone as I would not like to see a portion of the Shul break off and form a completely “groggerless Minyan”.
Wishing all a Freilichen Purim,
Ron Yitzchok Eisenman, Rabbi, Congregation Ahavas Israel, Passaic, NJ
