The IDF’s Home Front Command has ordered Israelis to celebrate Purim at home or in their bomb shelters as the war with Iran continues.
The festival, which starts tonight, traditionally sees public events and parties across the country.
But, with Iran directing missiles towards Israeli cities in retaliation for ongoing US and Israeli strikes, which killed Supreme Leader Khamenei on Saturday, authorities have urged the public to avoid large gatherings for safety reasons.
Synagogue events or public assemblies to recite the book of Esther, known as a megillah, which is usually required for the festival, have been banned.
The book tells the story of how the Jewish people in ancient Persia were saved from the king’s evil adviser, Haman, who wanted to destroy them.
"All gatherings are prohibited, regardless of their purpose or location,” an IDF spokesperson said.
"The megillah may be read in a family setting rather than in synagogues.”
A number of prominent rabbis have, instead, endorsed holding readings on video conferencing apps in order to fulfill the requirement.
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Kalman Ber has called on the public to strictly adhere to the guidelines.
“These instructions save lives, and we are obligated to observe them,” he wrote in a letter to worshippers, citing the biblical commandment of “be extremely cautious for your lives”.
According to Ber, “joy does not come at the expense of caution—and adherence to security regulations is an integral part of our service of God in these days”.
The recitation of the megillah in the attendance of 10 Jewish men (a minyan), Bar stated, should be held as close as possible to a bomb shelter.
If an air-raid siren is activated, the public must move to a protected space; if it is possible to continue the reading, they will do so there.
“We are privileged to witness historic moments in which the magnitude of the kindness of God, blessed be He, is revealed before our eyes,” said Ber. “Our enemies, who rose up against us to destroy us, are falling one after another, fulfilling the verse of ‘their swords shall pierce their own hearts, and their bows shall be broken’,” he added.
The rabbi also called on the public to be careful not to “get drunk excessively” during the obligatory Purim meal, noting that intoxication could lead people not to seek shelter during an Iranian missile attack.
Ber concluded his Purim letter with the blessing, “The Jews enjoyed light and gladness, happiness and honour —so may it be for us.”
On Saturday night, Ber and his Sephardi counterpart, Chief Rabbi David Yosef, issued a missive instructing observant Israelis to recite certain prayers and Psalms for the success of Operation Roaring Lion against Iran.
“We are in the midst of a difficult campaign against a besieged and cruel enemy. We see the steadfast stance of the Air Force pilots, IDF soldiers and other security personnel,” the two chief rabbis wrote.
Just as the Jews were saved during Purim through fasting and prayer led by Mordechai and Esther, people today also have a responsibility to increase fasting and prayer in times of danger or crisis, they went on.
Twelve people have been killed by Iranian missiles targeting the Jewish state since the start of the Israeli-American military operation that began on Saturday morning.
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