What Should You Do if an Alarm Goes Off In Megillah reading? Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein Rules
Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, provides a series of practical rulings and guidelines for Purim during the "Roaring Lion" war. These rulings were shared on the "Siach Yitzchak" hotline, based on instructions originally given by the Rabbi 35 years ago during the height of the Gulf War in 1991.
The Complete Q&A and the Segulah for Salvation
1. Is it permissible to stop to recite Tehillim in the middle of the Megillah?
If an alarm is sounded during the Megillah reading and the congregation scatters to a shelter or protected space, it is forbidden to interrupt during that time even to recite Tehillim (Psalms). Even between chapters, Tehillim should not be said, as it constitutes a complete interruption (Hefsek). The goal of seeking G-d's favor through Tehillim is better achieved by strictly observing the prohibitions of the Torah and not interrupting the Megillah.
However one may meditate on prayers or Tehillim in one's heart, or read Midrashim or Rashi's commentary on Megillat Esther, which is permitted even during the reading as it pertains to the subject matter of the Megillah.
2. If part of the congregation went to the shelter, should the reading continue?
If a majority of the Minyan (at least six people) remained in the synagogue, they may strictly continue and finish the Megillah and recite the concluding blessing (HaRav Et Riveinu).
Recommendation: It is preferable to wait for the entire congregation to merit the reading in public (B'rov Am Hadrat Melech) and for the sake of "Publicizing the Miracle" (Pirsumei Nisa). During the wait, participants should not engage in conversation but should study Midrashim or Rashi.
3. From where do we resume reading when gathering again?
Upon returning from the protected space:
In a clean area: If the shelter was a clean place where Megillah could halachically be read, even if much time passed or necessary conversation occurred, they resume from where they stopped and do not return to the beginning.
In an unclean area/Long delay: If the shelter was not clean (where reading is forbidden) or if so much time passed that the entire Megillah could have been read from start to finish, they must return to the beginning. However, the blessing is not repeated if they did not lose focus (Heisach HaDa'at).
4. Is the blessing recited again when resuming?
No new blessing: If they resume from where they stopped and did not lose focus on the Mitzvah, they do not recite the blessing again.
New blessing: If they completely lost focus, they must repeat the blessing "Al Mikra Megillah." However, the other blessings (She’asa Nissim and Shehecheyanu) are not repeated.
5. An alarm sounded between the blessings and the start of the reading
* If an alarm sounds immediately after the three initial blessings but before starting the text, or after finishing but before the final blessing:
* If they spoke or lost focus, the blessing is lost and must be repeated (likely including She’asa Nissim and Shehecheyanu).
* **The "One Word" Rule:** If even one word was read (e.g., "Vayehi") before the interruption, the Mitzvah is considered started and the blessing remains valid. Therefore, a Chazan should hurry to read at least one word after the blessings if an alarm is imminent.
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### **Torah Study Before the Purim Feast: A Segulah for Protection**
Rabbi Zilberstein concludes with advice from the Rama (Orach Chaim 695:2): "It is good to engage a little in Torah before beginning the meal." The *Darchei Moshe* cites Mahari Brin that this study "protects him so that no mishap occurs during the meal."
**The Rabbi’s Conclusion:** "In our days, if people study Torah before the festive meal, it is a *Segulah* (spiritual remedy) that no danger or obstacle from the terrors of war shall occur, and the Torah will protect us so that the sound of war shall not be heard."