Reading the Megillah: Difference between revisions
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One of the essential mitzvot of Purim is to hear the Megillah being read at night and during the day. <ref>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> | One of the essential mitzvot of Purim is to hear the Megillah being read at night and during the day. <ref>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?== | |||
# 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 (ibid. 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 S"A 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> | |||
==The Bracha== | ==The Bracha== | ||
# 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> S"A 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 Berura 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 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> S"A 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 Berura 692:1, Baer Heitev 692:1, Magen Avraham 692:1 </ref> | ||
