The Obligation Of Megillah Reading

The Daily Halacha Moment - Obligation of Megillah 📜

״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)

“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)

Question:

Who is obligated in hearing the Megillah?

When does one read the Megillah?

Answer:

Men and women are equally obligated in the mitzvah of reading or hearing Megillat Esther on Purim, as it commemorates the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people. [1]

This obligation applies to both the nighttime and daytime readings of the Megillah. The nighttime reading may be performed anytime from nightfall until alot hashachar (dawn), while the daytime reading may be performed from netz hachamah (sunrise) until shkiyah (sunset). Ideally, one should make an effort to hear the Megillah at the earliest possible opportunity within these time frames to ensure proper fulfillment of the mitzvah. [2]

Regarding the optimal time for the nighttime reading, it is preferable to wait until the zeman of Rabbenu Tam, as this marks a later halachic definition of nightfall. However, if waiting until this time would cause undue difficulty for the congregation, the Megillah may be read earlier, following the regular halachic nightfall. [3]

Since the reading of the Megillah is a public mitzvah that involves fulfilling an obligation for others, it is important to ensure that it is conducted in a setting where everyone can properly hear each word of the reading. Care should be taken to follow the halachic requirements, such as reading from a kosher Megillah scroll, reciting the necessary berachot, and having the proper intent to fulfill the mitzvah.

Over the next couple of days we will B'ezrat Hashem discuss more Halachot regarding the Chag of Purim.

Sources:

[1]. Shulchan Aruch 689:1. See Teshuvot HaRishon LeTzion, vol. 2, p. 312, which states that women are also obligated to hear both Megillah readings, and not only one, as some people might think.

[2]. Shulchan Aruch 687:1; Chazon Ovadia, Purim, pp. 47-48. See also Meor Yisrael vol. 1, p. 37, 250. See also Yabia Omer, vol. 1, 43:1-2, 17-18 which says the correct time to recite the nighttime reading is from Tzet Hakochavim.

[3]. Yabia Omer, vol. 1, miluim for siman 43; Yalkut Yosef, Purim, p. 279 & pages 841–858. See also Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 692:4, which permits one who is weak, and will thus be unable to listen to the Megillah later in the night, to read the Megillah after plag haminchah at the beginning of Purim.

See also Laws Of The Holidays - Nacson p. 578

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