Parshas Parah and what to do if placed in quarantine:

1. General laws:[1]

A Biblical or Rabbinical obligation?[2] There are opinions[3] who say that there is a Biblical obligation to hear Parshas Parah.[4] [Many Poskim[5] however argue and rule there is no Biblical obligation to hear Parshas Para.]

Making sure to be with a Minyan for Parshas Parah:[6] Being that the reading of Parah is a Biblical obligation [according to some Poskim], it is required that one arrange to be in an area that has a Minyan for that Shabbos.

If no Minyan is available:[7] If a Minyan is not present on Shabbos for the reading of Parshas Parah, the portion is nevertheless to be read [without a blessing] with its proper tune.

When: When [the second[8] day of] Rosh Chodesh Adar falls on Shabbos, Parshas Parah is read on the fourth Shabbos in Adar which is the 22nd of Adar.[9] When [the second day of] Rosh Chodesh Adar falls on Monday or Wednesday Parshas Parah is read on the third Shabbos of Adar. When Rosh Chodesh Adar falls on Friday, Parshas Parah is read on the fourth Shabbos in Adar which is the 23rd of Adar.

Which portion is read? The Torah portion for Parshas Parah is read from Parshas Chukas, from the words “Vayidabeir Hashem El Moshe Leimor Zos Chukas Hatorah…”[10] until the words “Titmah Ad Haerev”[11]. The Haftorah of Parah is read from Yichezkel[12], from the words “Vayehi Dvar Hashem Eilay Leimor..” until the words “Ani Hashem Dibarti Vaasisi”.[13]

What is the law if one did not read until verse 22, [“Titmah Ad Haerev”]?[14] If the Baal Korei stopped before verse 11[15] [“Lageir Hagar Bisocham”], then if the blessing recited after the Torah reading was not yet said, they are to continue the reading until verse 22. This applies even if the Sefer Torah was already rolled up.[16] If however, an after blessing over the Torah was already said, then even if the Torah scroll is still open, they must read the entire portion again from the beginning, and recite a new blessing before and after for the Aliyah.[17]

How many Torah scrolls are removed and what is the order of reading:[18] Two scrolls are removed from the ark. [The Torah scroll is to be rolled to its proper section before Davening in order to prevent delay for the congregation.[19]] From the first scroll the entire weekly Torah portion is read until [and including] Shevii. The second scroll is then placed on the Bima which is followed by half Kaddish. Hagba is then performed to the first scroll. One may not open the second scroll until the first scroll is rolled up and placed in its Meil.[20] [The Mi Shebeirach for the ill is recited after Hagba.] For Maftir the portion of Parah is read from the second scroll. [On Shabbos Mevarchim the Chazan for Musaf takes the scroll of Maftir to hold. [21]]

What to do if placed in quarantine:

One who has been placed in quarantine may not leave his home for the sake of hearing Parshas Parah, and must follow all medical directives given. Nonetheless, he is to try to do the following:

1. Reading from a Chumash:[27] One who cannot be with a Minyan on Shabbos for the reading of Parshas Parah, is nevertheless to read it without a blessing from a Chumash.
2. Make up the hearing by Parshas Chukas: One who could not be with a Minyan by Parshas Parah can seemingly make up his obligation with the eventual reading of Parshas Chukas.[28]
3. Have a Minyan with a Sefer Torah set up near the home of the individual? It is permitted to arrange a Minyan with the bringing of a Sefer Torah on behalf of one who is quarantined, in order for him to hear Parshas Zachor or Parshas Para.[29] The Minyan and Torah reading is to be set up outside the home of the quarantined individual, making sure to keep a two meter distance from him, and have him listen to the reading from within his home.

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[1] Reason why it is read before Hachodesh: The reason why we read Parshas Parah before Hachodesh is because it discusses the purification of the Jewish people and is thus given precedence. [Rashi Megillah 29a; Kaf Hachaim 685:19]

[2] Michaber 146:2; 685:7; Admur 282:16 only mentions Parshas Zachor

[3] Tosafus Haketzaros Brachos chapter 2; Aruch Hashulchan 685:7

[4] Some rule this is learned from the words “Lechukas Olam” written by Parah Aduma. This teaches us that one is to read the portion annually. [Aruch Hashulchan ibid]

[5] Peri Chadash 146; Shlah ; Bach; Rashal; 182; Tosafus Shantz brought in Kaf Hachaim 685:28; M”B 685:15

[6] Michaber 685:7

[7] Rama 685:7

[8] Levush brought in Kaf Hachaim 685:26

[9] 685:3

[10] Chapter 19 verse 1

[11] Chapter 19 verse 22. As the entire Parsha until this verse discusses the matter of purification. [Kol Bo 20; Levush; M”B 685:10; Kaf Hachaim 685:20]

[12] Chapter 36 verse 16

[13] Chapter 36 verse 36

[14] 136:5

[15] The first ten verses only hint to the Mitzvah of Parah Aduma and hence do not suffice for one to fulfill his obligation. [M”A 136:11]

[16] The Rama 136:5 rules that if they already closed and rolled up the Torah Scroll, then the entire reading must be repeated from the beginning, with a Bracha before and after. The majority of Achronim however explain that this “rolling” is not to be taken literally and rather if an after blessing was not yet made, even if the Torah was already rolled up, one may still return to the reading. [Elya Raba; Shaareiy Efraim 7:4; Mishneh Berurah 136:17] The P”M 136 M”Z 4 explains that this rolling up refers to returning the Torah to the Aron.

[17] Elya Raba; Shaareiy Efraim 7:4; Mishneh Berurah 136:17

The Reason: One must repeat the reading with a Bracha because the first reading was unlike the institution of the Sages and was thus invalid. [M”B ibid]

Other Opinions: The Taz 136:4 rules that so long as the Torah has not yet been rolled up [and put away in the Aron-P”M 136 M”Z 4] they may continue with the reading, even if an after Bracha has already been said.

[18] Mishneh Berurah 685:9, 12

[19] Pashut as this is the entire reason for why we are to take out two Sifrei Toras

[20] Michaber 147:8; Kol Bo; Elya Raba 147:9; Kaf Hachaim 147:42

[21] See Shaar Efraim 10:41; Piskeiy Teshuvah 150:4

[22] Piskeiy Teshuvos 685:6

[23] See Otzer Minhagei Chabad 240 that makes an implication from Sichas Parah 1976 that even women are obligated.

[24] M”B 136:18; Elya Raba 136:10

[25] M”B 136:18

[26] M”A 136:11

[27] See Rama 685:7; Kaf Hachaim 685:35

[28] See regarding Zachor: M”A 685:1 and so rules Beir Heiytiv 685:2; P”M 685 M”Z 12; Shaareiy Efraim 8:85; Minchas Elazar 2:1; Kaf Hachaim 685:28; Aruch Hashulchan 685:5; Hisorerus Teshuvah 1:5; M”B 685:8; Mahril Diskin 2 Kuntrus Acharon 5:111

[29] M”A 135:23 based on Oar Zarua [regarding Zachor]; M”B 135:46 [adds even Parah]; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 135:26