Outline of the Ministry of Health for Purim: Yes, reading a scroll in a synagogue, no for mass Purim meals Israel today

A draft presented to the ultra-Orthodox mayors reveals what Purim will look like • Prayers and gatherings are also allowed in closed areas depending on the nature of the activity, dance parties will be banned and instead of Adlaide "happy trucks" will travel on the streets

• Purim in the synagogue

  Photography: 

  Oren Ben Hakon

For the first time since the summer months, the Ministry of Health apparently intends to approve relatively large gatherings on Purim, especially in the open space, in preparation for Purim, with the understanding that it is impossible to completely prevent Israelis from celebrating, and morbidity should be reduced while celebrating the holiday.

In a closed discussion held yesterday (Wednesday) with the ultra-Orthodox mayors, a draft of what they intend to approve and ban this coming Purim was revealed - including a total ban on dance parties and meals with the nuclear family only, along with large and allowed events, especially in the open.

It should be noted that the decisions require the approval of the government and can vary depending on the morbidity and immunization.

The Ministry of Health marks the next Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh Adar, as the date of the beginning of the Purim celebrations, and a week later the "Shabbat Zachor" when masses come to synagogues in a standard year.

On February 25, the fast of Esther will take place and with the rising of the stars, the reading of the Megillah and the fear of parties.

The next day, Friday, there is another Megillah reading and Adlaide celebrations.

Since Purim this year falls on a Friday, the festivities in Jerusalem will be on Sunday, in what is known as a triangular Purim. 

According to the outline, which is still subject to change, it is more likely to hold events, including prayers, even indoors, when the decision on the size of the gathering will be according to the traffic light quotas, assuming they will not be able to activate the green sign until Purim.

The office divides the activity into two types - high risk and low risk. 

A low-risk activity is a sitting-only activity and pre-booking, with masks, without food.

In such cases, it is better to gather in a closed place, up to 30% of the space occupied, and limited to a maximum of 50 people.

In a more open place in such a case to congregate with an occupancy of up to 50% and up to 200 people. 

A high-risk activity is an occasional entrance, with food, when the activity will be in motion and not in a sitting position, such as a Stiebelech-style synagogue or a school yard.

Because food is involved, the point is that high-risk activity is also without masks.

According to the draft, in such a case, in such a case, 20% occupancy and up to 25 people in a closed place will be concentrated, while in an open space, 40% occupancy will be allowed and in any case up to 50 people.

"The preference is that all activities will be according to the green mark, while reducing the risk of infection and disease," it was said in a closed discussion yesterday, but due to limitations this will not be possible and therefore the guidelines will be according to traffic light quotas. 

As with the Tishrei holidays, any event that takes place will be a priority in open spaces and will include a Corona trustee who will be responsible for arranging the entry of participants and enforcing the rules.

The office recommends that the corona trustee also register the participants.

Between people who do not live together a distance of two chairs will be maintained, with priority given to maintaining a distance of two meters between family and family.

Of course, all participants must wear a mask at all times. 

When it comes to parcel deliveries, meals and parties.

According to the draft presented more to hold meals exclusively in the lap of the nuclear family, and parcel deliveries will be sent in individual packages with a minimum of contact.

There will be no dance parties and instead of Adlaide there will be "joy trucks" similar to what happened on the previous Purim.

More to hold events, i.e. parties, in open space and seating only, in fixed groups and with marked chairs and keeping distance.