The Gemara (Megillah 5b) already debates whether the sea is considered a protective wall for the city of Tverya—based on the verse from the Song of the Sea, “and the water was a wall for them”—or if it is considered unwalled on one of its sides. Therefore, due to this doubt, the Megillah is read in Tverya on the 14th with a blessing and on the 15th without a blessing. It should be noted that the only place in the world where the Megillah is read on the 15th alone with a blessing is Jerusalem.

The discussion continues regarding places adjacent to Lower Tverya, such as Upper Tverya: are they considered part of Tverya itself and thus required to read on both the 14th and 15th? Maran the Biur Halacha (Siman 688) rules that a city which is itself in a state of doubt does not “pull” the adjacent or visible areas after it to read on the 15th; rather, those areas read only on the 14th as usual.

However, the Chazon Ish and the author of Pe’at HaShulchan disagree, holding that the law of “Adjacent and Visible” (Samuch VeNireh) applies even here. According to their view, if Lower Tverya is adjacent to or visible from Upper Tverya, then the 15th should also be observed there without a blessing. According to the Chazon Ish, one should read on the 15th in Bnei Brak and throughout Haifa, because he held that Haifa is adjacent to Ancient Haifa and Bnei Brak is adjacent to Jaffa (since Bnei Brak is now connected by a continuous line of houses to Jaffa). The Chazon Ish followed this in practice. This ruling also applies to Mishloach Manot (subject to dispute), Matanot L’Evyonim, and the Purim feast due to the legal doubt.

Defining “Adjacent” and “Visible”

• Adjacent (Samuch): According to Rabbi Tykocinski zatzal (Ir HaKodesh), “adjacent” only extends up to one Mil. Anything beyond that is not “adjacent,” even if there is a continuous line of houses. However, the Torat Chesed of Lublin held that as long as there is a continuous line of houses, it is considered one place.

• The Practical Ruling: Many authorities—including the Chazon Ish, Rabbi Frank, the Minchas Yitzchak, Maran Rav Wosner, Maran the Yabia Omer, and the Ohr L’Tzion—rule that a gap of 141 and 1/3 Amot (approx. 67.8 meters) constitutes a break. This is how we rule in practice, which raises questions regarding neighborhoods like Ramot in Jerusalem.

• Visible (Nireh): The Magen Avraham and the Mishna Berurah hold that even a distance greater than a Mil can be considered “visible.” Others, however, argue that “visible” only applies within the range of one Mil.