HaPosek HaGaon Moshe Brandsdorfer, the Gaavad of the Heichal Hora’ah Beis Din, issued an urgent p’sak regarding Jerusalem residents stranded overseas and tourists stranded in Jerusalem due to the war.

HaRav Brandsdorfer wrote that because many Jerusalem residents were unable to return home for Purim due to flight cancellations, and likewise many visitors to Jerusalem could not leave, the halacha follows the Shulchan Aruch and Mishnah Berurah: since they are away from home involuntarily, they should observe Purim according to their home location rather than their current location.

Thus, Jerusalem residents who left before Purim, intending to return home, must keep Purim on the 15th even if they are now in non-walled cities abroad. Conversely, visitors from outside Jerusalem who came to the city intending to return home must observe Purim on the 14th even though they are currently in Jerusalem.

Rav Brandsdorfer explained that the determining factor is the person’s intent at the time they left home. Although there is much debate among Rishonim and Achronim on the issue, and the Chazon Ish paskened differently than the Mishnah Berurah, saying that the day one observes Purim is based on one’s intent on the night of the 14th, the accepted p’sak follows the Mishnah Berurah, which bases it on the person’s original intention when departing from home.

“Therefore, the halacha l’maisa is that anyone stranded away from home (against their will) should keep Purim according to their place of origin,” HaRav Brandsdorfer wrote. “However, in light of the opinion of other poskim, it is proper to observe both days—the 14th and the 15th—regarding Kriyas Megillah and the other mitzvos. Shailos regarding which day the brachos should be made depend on specific details and should be asked to a competent Rav.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)