Reading of the Megillah

From Halachipedia

Obligation

  1. One is obligated to read the megilla at night and during the day on Purim. [1]

Night Time Reading

  1. The megilla can be read all night until alot hashachar.[2]
  2. If one misses the reading at night, he cannot make it up during the day.[3]

Berachot

  1. Before reading the megilla at night, three berachot are recited: Al Mikra Megilla, SheAsa Nissim, and Shehecheyanu.[4]

Day Time Reading

  1. The megilla can be read any time during the day from sunrise to sunset. [5] If one read it after alot hashachar but before sunrise, he nevertheless fulfilled his obligation[6]

Berachot

  1. According to sephardim, the beracha of shehecheyanu is not recited during the day.[7] According to ashkenazim, it is recited during the day.[8]

Women

  1. Women are also obligated to hear the megilla. [9]
  2. A man who already heard the megilla in shul can still read it for his wife.[10] He should recite all of the berachot before.[11]

Children

  1. Children should be trained to hear the megilla.[12]

Sources

  1. Megilla 4a, Shulchan Aruch 687:1, Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 47
  2. Shulchan Aruch 687:1, Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 47
  3. Shulchan Aruch 687:1, Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 48
  4. Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 65
  5. Shulchan Aruch 687:1, Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 48
  6. Shulchan Aruch 687:1, Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 48
  7. Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 63, Rambam Megilla 1:3, Shulchan Aruch 692:1
  8. Rama 692:1, Rabenu Tam (quoted in Tosafot Megilla 4a)
  9. Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 50
  10. Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 51-52
  11. Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 53
  12. Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 55