Reading the Megillah: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Megillat Ester.jpg|250px|right]] | [[Image:Megillat Ester.jpg|250px|right]] | ||
One of the | One of the most important mitzvot of the day of Purim is to read or listen to the reading of Megillat Ester. Ester tells the story of how Haman and Achashverosh tried to destroy the Jewish people and Hashem miraculously helped Mordechai and Ester save them. The mitzvah is to read the [[Megillah]] or hear the [[Megillah]] being read at night and during the day. <ref>The Rambam ([[Megillah]] 1:1) writes that the mitzvah to read the [[Megillah]] is an establishment of the prophets, Midivrei Kabbalah. Tosfot ([[Megillah]] 4a s.v. Chayav) writes that the primary reading is during the day when the rest of the mitzvot of [[Purim]] should be fulfilled. Nodeh BeYehuda (O.C. 41) writes that the nighttime reading is only derabbanan but not Midivrei Kabbalah. </ref> The details of the [[Megillah]] reading are outlined below: | ||
==Who's obligated?== | ==Who's obligated?== | ||
# Both men and women are obligated to read the [[Megillah]] during the night and during the day of [[Purim]]. <ref>In Gemara [[Megillah]] 4a, Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi says that women are obligated in reading the [[Megillah]] because they were included in the miracle of [[Purim]]. Rashi ([[Megillah]] 4a s.v. Af) explains that the decree of Haman applied to men and women equally. Tosfot (s.v. Af) quotes the Rashbam who explains that the gemara means that women are obligated because Ester was instrumental in the miracle of [[Purim]]. The Rambam ([[Megillah]] 1:1) writes that both men and women are obligated in reading the [[megillah]]. Tur and Shulchan Aruch 689:1 codify this as halacha.</ref> | # Both men and women are obligated to read the [[Megillah]] during the night and during the day of [[Purim]].<ref>Megilla 4a, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 687:1, Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 47. In Gemara [[Megillah]] 4a, Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi says that women are obligated in reading the [[Megillah]] because they were included in the miracle of [[Purim]]. Rashi ([[Megillah]] 4a s.v. Af) explains that the decree of Haman applied to men and women equally. Tosfot (s.v. Af) quotes the Rashbam who explains that the gemara means that women are obligated because Ester was instrumental in the miracle of [[Purim]]. The Rambam ([[Megillah]] 1:1) writes that both men and women are obligated in reading the [[megillah]]. Tur and Shulchan Aruch 689:1 codify this as halacha.</ref> | ||
# There is a mitzvah of [[Chinuch]] to teach children (under [[Bar Mitzvah]]) to read the [[Megillah]]. <ref>Rambam ([[Megillah]] 1:1)</ref> | # Women are also obligated to hear the megilla.<ref> Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 50</ref> | ||
# A man who already heard the megilla in shul can still read it for his wife.<ref> Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 51-52</ref> He should recite all of the berachot before.<ref> Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 53 </ref> | |||
# There is a mitzvah of [[Chinuch]] to teach children (under [[Bar Mitzvah]]) to read the [[Megillah]].<ref>Rambam ([[Megillah]] 1:1), Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 55</ref> | |||
==Procedure of the Megillah reading== | ==Procedure of the Megillah reading== | ||
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===The Brachot=== | ===The Brachot=== | ||
# The chazan who reads the megilla at night recites three [[berachot]] before reading the [[Megillah]] and one beracha after completing the reading of the megilla. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 692:1 </ref> During the day some poskim say to skip [[shehecheyanu]] while some say to repeat it during the day also and therefore say three [[berachot]] again. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 692:1 says that [[shehecheyanu]] is not repeated. However, the Rama there disagrees and says that it is recited during the days as well.</ref> One should have in mind to cover the other mitzvot of [[Purim]] with this [[shehecheyanu]]. <ref> Mishna Brurah 692:1, Baer Heitev 692:1, Magen Avraham 692:1 </ref> | # The chazan who reads the megilla at night recites three [[berachot]] before reading the [[Megillah]] and one beracha after completing the reading of the megilla. <ref> Shulchan Aruch O.C. 692:1, Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 65 </ref> During the day some poskim say to skip [[shehecheyanu]] while some say to repeat it during the day also and therefore say three [[berachot]] again. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 692:1 says that [[shehecheyanu]] is not repeated. However, the Rama there disagrees and says that it is recited during the days as well.</ref> One should have in mind to cover the other mitzvot of [[Purim]] with this [[shehecheyanu]]. <ref> Mishna Brurah 692:1, Baer Heitev 692:1, Magen Avraham 692:1 </ref> | ||
# The minhag is that women do make a bracha if they are reading the [[Megillah]] or the one reading it for women does make a bracha. <ref> Sh"t Yabia Omer O"C 1:40, Sh"t Minchat Yitzchak 3:54 </ref> | # The minhag is that women do make a bracha if they are reading the [[Megillah]] or the one reading it for women does make a bracha. <ref> Sh"t Yabia Omer O"C 1:40, Sh"t Minchat Yitzchak 3:54 </ref> | ||
# The minhag is to roll up the [[Megillah]] back into a scroll before reciting the bracha of "Harav Et Riveinu...." <ref> Shulchan Aruch 690:17. Mishna Brurah 690:57 explains that this is because it is disrespectful to leave the megilla open. </ref> Some are lenient for a private reading <ref> Yalkut Yoseph volume 7 page 296 </ref> | # The minhag is to roll up the [[Megillah]] back into a scroll before reciting the bracha of "Harav Et Riveinu...." <ref> Shulchan Aruch 690:17. Mishna Brurah 690:57 explains that this is because it is disrespectful to leave the megilla open. </ref> Some are lenient for a private reading <ref> Yalkut Yoseph volume 7 page 296 </ref> | ||
# According to Sephardim, the beracha of shehecheyanu is not recited during the day.<ref> Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 63, Rambam Megilla 1:3, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 692:1 </ref> According to ashkenazim, it is recited during the day.<ref> Rama 692:1, Rabenu Tam (quoted in Tosafot Megilla 4a) </ref> | |||
===Sitting or Standing=== | ===Sitting or Standing=== | ||
# The reader of the megilla for the congregation should stand during the reading of the Megilla <ref> Shulchan Aruch 690:1, Beit Yosef 690 in the name of the Ran</ref> and the congregants may sit during the reading. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 690:1, Ben Ish Chai (Year 1 Parashat Titzaveh 4) </ref> However, the congregation should stand for the [[berachot]] before and after the [[Megillah]]. <ref> Mishna Brurah 690:1, Machatzit Hashekel 690:1, Ben Ish Chai (Parashat Titzaveh 4), Kaf Hachaim 690:2. See Shevet Hakehati 1:212. </ref> | # The reader of the megilla for the congregation should stand during the reading of the Megilla <ref> Shulchan Aruch 690:1, Beit Yosef 690 in the name of the Ran</ref> and the congregants may sit during the reading. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 690:1, Ben Ish Chai (Year 1 Parashat Titzaveh 4) </ref> However, the congregation should stand for the [[berachot]] before and after the [[Megillah]]. <ref> Mishna Brurah 690:1, Machatzit Hashekel 690:1, Ben Ish Chai (Parashat Titzaveh 4), Kaf Hachaim 690:2. See Shevet Hakehati 1:212. </ref> | ||
===Hearing it in a | ===Hearing it in a Congregation=== | ||
# One should try to find a [[minyan]] of ten men to read the [[megillah]]. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 690:18, Bach 691 </ref> If this is not possible, one should read the [[Megillah]] by himself <ref> Shulchan Aruch 690:18, Mishna Brurah 689:15, Shaar Hatzion 690:64 </ref> | # One should try to find a [[minyan]] of ten men to read the [[megillah]]. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 690:18, Bach 691 </ref> If this is not possible, one should read the [[Megillah]] by himself <ref> Shulchan Aruch 690:18, Mishna Brurah 689:15, Shaar Hatzion 690:64 </ref> | ||
# Some have the pious practice to read from a kosher [[megillah]] along with the baal koreh. <ref>Rav Schachter (Nefesh HaRav pg 227) writes that Rav Soloveitchik's minhag was to read the [[megillah]] to himself from a kosher [[megillah]] along with the baal koreh in order to fulfill the mitzvah himself instead of through a messenger. Rav Schachter explains this concept in BeIkvei HaTzoan pg 25. </ref> | # Some have the pious practice to read from a kosher [[megillah]] along with the baal koreh. <ref>Rav Schachter (Nefesh HaRav pg 227) writes that Rav Soloveitchik's minhag was to read the [[megillah]] to himself from a kosher [[megillah]] along with the baal koreh in order to fulfill the mitzvah himself instead of through a messenger. Rav Schachter explains this concept in BeIkvei HaTzoan pg 25. </ref> | ||
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==Time of Reading Megillah== | ==Time of Reading Megillah== | ||
===Night Time Reading=== | |||
# There’s a mitzvah to read the [[Megillah]] once at night and once during the day.<Ref>[[Megillah]] 4a, Rambam ([[Megillah]] 1:3), Shulchan Aruch O.C. 687:1 </ref> | # There’s a mitzvah to read the [[Megillah]] once at night and once during the day.<Ref>[[Megillah]] 4a, Rambam ([[Megillah]] 1:3), Shulchan Aruch O.C. 687:1 </ref> | ||
# The time for reading the [[Megillah]] at night is from [[Tzet HaKochavim]] until Olat HaShachar.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 687:1 says that the night reading applies all night, Mishna Brurah 687:1,3 explains that this means that one should read it between [[Tzet HaKochavim]] and Olat HaShachar. This is also the opinion of Chazon Ovadyah (pg 47) and Chayei Adam 195:5. </ref> One should not read the nighttime megillah during Ben Hashemashot except in extenuating circumstances.<ref>Mishna Brurah 692:14 citing the Pri Megadim. Kaf HaChayim on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 687:4:1 writes that one shouldn't read it until tzet but under extenuating circumstances in [https://www.sefaria.org/Kaf_HaChayim_on_Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.692.32.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en 692:32:1] he quotes many including the Meiri who allow reading the megillah during ben hashemashot.</ref> | # The time for reading the [[Megillah]] at night is from [[Tzet HaKochavim]] until Olat HaShachar.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 687:1 says that the night reading applies all night, Mishna Brurah 687:1,3 explains that this means that one should read it between [[Tzet HaKochavim]] and Olat HaShachar. This is also the opinion of Chazon Ovadyah (pg 47) and Chayei Adam 195:5. </ref> One should not read the nighttime megillah during Ben Hashemashot except in extenuating circumstances.<ref>Mishna Brurah 692:14 citing the Pri Megadim. Kaf HaChayim on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 687:4:1 writes that one shouldn't read it until tzet but under extenuating circumstances in [https://www.sefaria.org/Kaf_HaChayim_on_Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.692.32.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en 692:32:1] he quotes many including the Meiri who allow reading the megillah during ben hashemashot.</ref> | ||
# In extenuating circumstances, such as might be necessary during corona, it is possible to read the megillah from Plag Hamincha.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 678:1, [http://www.torahweb.org/torah/docs/rsch/RavSchachter-Corona-56-January-31-2021.pdf Rav Schachter (Corona teshuva #56)]</ref> | # In extenuating circumstances, such as might be necessary during corona, it is possible to read the megillah from Plag Hamincha.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 678:1, [http://www.torahweb.org/torah/docs/rsch/RavSchachter-Corona-56-January-31-2021.pdf Rav Schachter (Corona teshuva #56)]</ref> | ||
# If one missed reading it at night there’s no make-up the next day.<Ref>Mishna Brurah 687:3, Chazon Ovadyah (pg 48). Chazon Ovadyah cites this from Maharam Ben Chaviv (Kol Gadol 48), Birkei Yosef 697:1, Teshuva Mahava v. 2 p. 45d, and Mey Bear 63. </ref> | |||
===Day Time Reading=== | |||
# The megilla can be read any time during the day from sunrise to sunset. <Ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 687:1, Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 48 </ref> If one read it after alot hashachar but before sunrise, he nevertheless fulfilled his obligation<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 687:1, Chazon Ovadia Purim pg. 48 </ref> | |||
# The time for reading the [[megillah]] during the day is from [[HaNetz HaChama]] until [[Shekiah]]. However if one read it from [[Olot HaShachar]] one has fulfilled the mitzvah. If one didn’t read it until [[Shekiah]], one should read it until [[Tzet HaKochavim]] without a Bracha.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 687:1 writes that the reading of the day applies all day from [[HaNetz]] but after the fact one fulfilled the mitzvah if one read it after [[Olot HaShachar]]. Mishna Brurah 687:4,5 explains that the ending time is [[Shekiah]] and after the fact one should read it without a Bracha until [[Tzet HaKochavim]]. </ref> | # The time for reading the [[megillah]] during the day is from [[HaNetz HaChama]] until [[Shekiah]]. However if one read it from [[Olot HaShachar]] one has fulfilled the mitzvah. If one didn’t read it until [[Shekiah]], one should read it until [[Tzet HaKochavim]] without a Bracha.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 687:1 writes that the reading of the day applies all day from [[HaNetz]] but after the fact one fulfilled the mitzvah if one read it after [[Olot HaShachar]]. Mishna Brurah 687:4,5 explains that the ending time is [[Shekiah]] and after the fact one should read it without a Bracha until [[Tzet HaKochavim]]. </ref> | ||
==Eating before Reading the Megillah== | ==Eating before Reading the Megillah== | ||
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# It is permitted to eat a snack, foods or drinks less than a [[kebaytzeh]], before the megillah if it is hard to fast after nightfall until the megillah.<Ref>Magen Avraham 692:7, Mishna Brurah 692:14, Kaf HaChayim on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 692:36:1, Nitai Gavriel Purim 32:2</ref> | # It is permitted to eat a snack, foods or drinks less than a [[kebaytzeh]], before the megillah if it is hard to fast after nightfall until the megillah.<Ref>Magen Avraham 692:7, Mishna Brurah 692:14, Kaf HaChayim on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 692:36:1, Nitai Gavriel Purim 32:2</ref> | ||
# Someone for whom it is very hard and might become sick unless he has a meal may ask someone who remind him to read the megillah and then eat a meal.<ref>Mishna Brurah 692:16, Kaf HaChayim on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 692:38:1, Nitai Gavriel Purim 32:3. Chatom Sofer 652:2 relies on asking someone regarding eating before shaking lulav.</ref> | # Someone for whom it is very hard and might become sick unless he has a meal may ask someone who remind him to read the megillah and then eat a meal.<ref>Mishna Brurah 692:16, Kaf HaChayim on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 692:38:1, Nitai Gavriel Purim 32:3. Chatom Sofer 652:2 relies on asking someone regarding eating before shaking lulav.</ref> | ||
# It is forbidden to go to sleep before reading the megillah.<Ref>Mishna Brurah 692:15, Kaf HaChayim on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 692:34:1</ref> | ===Sleeping or Working=== | ||
# It is forbidden to go to sleep or do work at night before reading the megillah.<Ref>Mishna Brurah 692:15, Kaf HaChayim on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 692:34:1</ref> | |||
==If Purim Falls out on Sunday== | ==If Purim Falls out on Sunday== | ||
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# Someone who lives outside Yerushalayim who travels to Yerushalayim with intent to stay there for daybreak on the 15th should read the [[Megillah]] on the 15th even if one leaves on the 15th during the day. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 688:12 </ref> | # Someone who lives outside Yerushalayim who travels to Yerushalayim with intent to stay there for daybreak on the 15th should read the [[Megillah]] on the 15th even if one leaves on the 15th during the day. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 688:12 </ref> | ||
# Someone who lives outside Yerushalayim who travels to Yerushalayim with intent to return before daybreak of the 15th should read it on the 14th even if one is forced into staying there. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 688:12 </ref> | # Someone who lives outside Yerushalayim who travels to Yerushalayim with intent to return before daybreak of the 15th should read it on the 14th even if one is forced into staying there. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 688:12 </ref> | ||
==Links== | |||
* [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/56811 Yalkut Yosef Hilchot Purim (Hebrew 5773)] | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
