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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Purim & The Month of Adar
- The Laws of Purim
Answer: The gemara (Berachot 27a) says that one may accept the opinion that Ma’ariv can be prayed after plag hamincha. Rabbeinu Tam (Berachot 2a) says that the same is true of Kri’at Shema of the evening. Based on these opinions, the Terumat Hadeshen (109), accepted by the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 692:4), says that in a case of need, one may read Megillat Esther from plag hamincha. Since you describe a case of significant need, this seemingly gives you permission to make the reading from plag hamincha.
However, not everyone accepts the Terumat Hadeshen/Shulchan Aruch. The Pri Chadash (ad loc.) strongly disagrees. He argues that we do not accept Rabbeinu Tam’s opinion about reading Kri’at Shema fromplag haminchan (see Shulchan Aruch, OC 235:1). Also, the gemara(Megilla 4a) derives the night reading from, "I will call out to You in the day … and at night" (Tehillim 22:3). The Pri Chadash says that since night is needed, plag hamincha, which is only close to night, is insufficient, and the time begins with tzeit hakochavim. The Gra (to Shulchan Aruch ibid.) cites the Pri Chadash, and the Chayei Adam (155:5) and the Aruch Hashulcan (692:8) rule like him.
The Mishna Berura (692:14 and Be’ur Halacha) does not clearly decide between the opinions but says that in a case of great need (not the moderate need the Shulchan Aruch refers to), one can read before nightfall. Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer I, OC 42) ruled to rely on the lenient opinion, under the following fascinating circumstances – the British placed a strict dusk-to-dawn curfew in Yerushalayim on Purim of 1947, making reading Megilla from plag hamincha the most feasible option. One of the factors he weighed was that according to prominent (although far from unanimous) opinions, the main reading, as mandated by the Megilla itself, is in the daytime, with the night reading being only Rabbinic and thus more lenient.
From a purist halachic perspective, it is hard to quantify what number of extra people coming for early Megilla reading (with morepirsumei nisa) over at the classic time justifies the change. However, your community has a strong kiruv element, which is an overriding consideration, certainly when the lenient position you want to rely upon is accepted by no less than the Shulchan Aruch. You should consider such things as the extent to which, if at all, this leniency affects the community in other ways (e.g., will it dampen the resolve to continue keeping mitzvot carefully if practices that were not previously practiced locally are now accepted?).
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (654)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
189 - Haircut for a Bar Mitzva in the Three Weeks
190 - Coordinating Ma’aser with Small Donations
191 - ASK THE RABBI: MENTION OF ROSH CHODESH IN AL HAMICHYA AFTER DARK
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From a purist perspective, there is ample halachic basis to do an early reading without a beracha, as the fulfillment of the mitzva at that time is uncertain. However, the correct desire to have the reading carry its full spirit and impact presumably includes the berachot (see Rav Ovadia’s formulation, ibid.), and the lenient opinions include making them. It is appropriate for you to reread the Megilla at the normal time, without a berachot. Subjective communal/educational factors, which you know better than we, should determine if and whom you should invite to join you.
May you continue to bring "ora v’simcha sason viy’kar" to your community.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
