Missed Parashat Zachor Due to Rocket Sirens — How Can It Be Made Up?
Question
Rabbi, As everyone knows, Israel was under attack this Shabbat morning, and sirens were sounding throughout the time of Parashat Zachor. Because of the security situation, myself, my wife, and our children were unable to leave our home and could not make it to shul. The sirens occurred during the Torah reading itself, making it impossible to attend safely.
What should we do regarding making up Parashat Zachor? Does reading it from a Chumash suffice, or is there another way to fulfill the mitzvah?
Answer
Reading Parashat Zachor from a Chumash may be done when there is no alternative, such as if you are stuck without a Minyan, but it does not fulfill the mitzvah of Parashat Zachor, which according to many authorities requires a public Torah reading from a kosher Sefer Torah.
The good news, however, is that one who missed Parashat Zachor due to circumstances beyond their control may make it up by hearing the Torah reading on Purim day, when Parashat “Vayavo Amalek” is read from the Torah. One should have explicit intent at that time to fulfill the mitzvah of remembering Amalek.
If this is not possible due to continued security concerns, there is an additional option: the mitzvah can be fulfilled when Parashat Zachor is read again during Parashat Ki Teitzei in the summer, provided one has in mind to fulfill the mitzvah at that time.
In any case, women and children are not obligated in the mitzvah of Parashat Zachor according to many halachic opinions, and for them it is considered a custom rather than an obligation. Therefore, there is no need for women or children to make it up at all.
May Hashem protect His people, bring peace to the land, and allow us to fulfill His mitzvot in safety and tranquility.
Sources:
See regarding reading Zachar to oneself from a Chumash if he cannot attend a Minyan: Rama 685:7; Kaf Hachaim 685:35
See regarding being Yotzei Zachar with the Purim Torah reading: 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; Dissenting opinion: Aruch Hashulchan 685:5; Hisorerus Teshuvah 1:5; M”B 685:8; Mahril Diskin 2 Kuntrus Acharon 5:111
See regarding being Yotzei Zachar with the Torah reading of Ki Seitzei: Aruch Hashulchan ibid; Hisvadyos 1989 2 p. 442-446 printed in Shaar Hamoadim Adar 46-47
See regarding women being exempt from Zachar: Exempt: Chinuch 603; Avnei Nezer 509; Marcheshes 1:22; Aruch Hashulchan 685:2; Arugas Habosem 205; Tzitz Hakodesh 1:51; Hisorerus Teshuvah 1:5; Divreiy Chaim 2:14; Kaf Hachaim 685:30; Toras Chesed [Lublin] 37: “Minhag Yisrael is Torah and we have never heard of women going to Shul for Parshas Zachor. One should not be Machmir in this”See Encyclopedia Talmudit volume 12 p. 222; Obligated: Minchas Chinuch Mitzvah 603, Binyan Tziyon 2:8 in name of Rav Nassan Adler; Minchas Elazar 2:1-5; Darkei Chaim Veshalom 835; and other Poskim mentioned in Sdei Chemed Klalim Mareches Zayin Klal 13; Minchas Yitzchak 9:68; See Admur 282:16 “Parshas Zachar is an obligation in the Torah that every person hear” Vetzaruch Iyun if this wording is coming to include women, or simply to emphasize that it is an individual obligation rather than a communal obligation; See also Admur 489:1 who writes regarding Sefiras Haomer “It is a positive command for every Jew..” and then writes in 489:2 “Women are exempt”
