This year as well, for the fourth consecutive year, we merited to Shacharit and the Megillah reading on the day of Purim. This year, due to Purim HaMeshulash, we merited to pray Shacharit and read the Megillah like all those in “open cities" on the 14th of Adar.

Here is coverage of Shacharit and the Megillah reading on the holy day of Purim, together with the words from the famous “Kiddush” that takes place every year:

At 4:40 AM, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a came out for the Shacharit prayer, beginning immediately with the recitation of Tikkun Chatzot, as he does on every Shabbat and holiday, followed by the Morning Zemirot and the recitation of Korbanot. Before Baruch She'amar, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a delivered a short shiur, integrating the words of the Gemara at the conclusion of Tractate Bava Metzia about the two gardens and the secret of the vegetable—concepts he has been discussing lately—together with the meaning of Purim. Then, at 6:20, he began Baruch She'amar and continued with Pesukei D’Zimra and the Shacharit prayer, with vitality, fervor, joy, and enthusiasm.

After the repetition of the Amidah, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a announced that the Tefillin of Rabbeinu Tam should be put on, after which the Megillah reading would take place. He then entered his holy residence to don the five pairs of Tefillin that he wears daily: Rashi, Rabbeinu Tam, two variations of Tefillin according to the Raavad, and Shimusha Rabba. After about ten minutes, he returned for the Megillah reading.

Just as in the nighttime Megillah reading, during the daytime reading as well, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a read the Megillah with pronounced joy and delight on one hand, and on the other hand, with tears streaming from his holy eyes and a choked voice during several passages, especially while reading “to annihilate, kill, and destroy,” which he repeated twice, as is the custom. As he expressed, the Megillah reading is even higher than Kol Nidrei.  Ay, how many are plotting to annihilate, kill, and destroy all the Jews in a single day…! The daytime Megillah reading lasted approximately a half-hour (31 minutes).  Those in the know remarked that it is among the longest readings of Purim day.

After completing the reading, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a concluded the prayer, and like on every Purim, recited Kiddush over a cup of wine with his unique wording:
"Yom HaShishi, Vay’chulu (Finished) are Nasrallah, Haniyeh, and all the enemies of Israel… And God completed on the sixth day, on the day of Purim, His work that He had done, and He will destroy Hamas, all [Islamic] Jihad, and Hezbollah… and may we merit to the complete redemption speedily in our days, Amen… Baruch… Borei Peri HaGafen."

After drinking, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a delivered another short shiur, lasting about three minutes, on the greatness of the holy days of Purim. In it, he revealed that at this moment, for three days, we are at the fiftieth day [gate?]—all desires are only to cleave to Hashem Yitbarach! All of Purim is Nikrat HaTzur (cleft of the rock)—only one who does not divert his mind from Hashem merits to enter Nikrat HaTzur!

The Rav entered his holy residence at 8:01 in the morning, after three hours and twenty-one minutes of Shacharit and the Megillah reading on this holy day of Purim.

"For the Jews there was light, joy, gladness, and honor!"

[caption id="attachment_54242" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Photo courtesy of "HaBamah Shel Chasidei Breslov Shuvu Banim"[/caption] [caption id="attachment_54243" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Photo courtesy of "HaBamah Shel Chasidei Breslov Shuvu Banim"[/caption]