Giving Parshas Zachor to a Bar Mitzvah Boy

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Q. Why is it the custom in many shuls that a bar-mitzvah boy does not read Parshas Zachor?

A. Shulchan Aruch (OC 685:7) writes that there are opinions that Parshas Zachor, the special Torah reading to remember the treachery of Amalek that will be read this Shabbos, is a Torah obligation. Only a male adult who is obligated in this mitzvah may read aloud this Torah portion and fulfill the obligation for all those that listen. Although ordinarily, we rely on the assumption that a bar-mitzvah boy has reached physical maturity and is obligated in all mitzvos, when it comes to exempting others in a Torah obligation we are more strict. The Magen Avrohom (39:1) writes that once a boy reaches age eighteen, he can be assumed to be physically mature. At that point he can be relied upon to fulfill Torah obligations, but not before. Therefore, it is preferable that a young man should not read Parshas Zachor. However, some poskim are lenient especially if it might otherwise cause embarrassment or division. See for example Teshuvos Pai’os Sod’chah (I:63) and Likutei Teshuvos V’hanhagos (Purim, pg. 70).

This column comes from OU Kosher’s Halacha Yomis dedicated in memory of Rav Chaim Yisroel ben Reb Dov HaLevy Belsky, zt’l, Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016). Subscribers can also ask their own questions on Kashrus issues and send them to [email protected]. These questions and their answers may be selected to become one of the Q and A’s on OU Kosher Halacha Yomis.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Yeah, it happened with my son and few years ago. The Rav received the kriah of Parshas Zachor after my son lained the entire Parshas hashavua of that week. He did a great job. He was not a happy camper when he got bumped off. He had his simanim already so there was no reason for it. Let the Bar Mitzvah enjoy his once in a lifetime occasion.

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