DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 726 KB)
Purim-Is it Permitted to Read the Megila Without a Minyan?

The Gemara records a debate between Rav and Rav Assi as to whether it is permitted to read the Megila without a Minyan. Rashi and Tosafot clearly rule in accordance with Rav, who does permit it. The Shulhan Aruch (690:18) states that while ideally, one should seek a Minyan to read the Megila, it is permissible to read it alone.

When reading the Megila without a Minyan, the three Berachot prior to the reading are recited. However, there is a Machloket as to whether the Beracha of "HaRav Et Rivenu" is recited after the reading. The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), calling this Beracha very precious, rules that one does recite it without a Minyan. Hacham Ovadia, citing the Talmud Yerushalmi, vehemently opposes the Ben Ish Hai’s ruling. He holds that not only should one not say this Beracha, but, he should even not answer Amen to someone who does. Hacham Ben Sion adopts a middle position, finding basis for both positions, and allows a person to choose.

To avoid doubt in Berachot, one should not make the Beracha of "HaRav Et Rivenu" when reading the Megila without a Minyan. It should be noted that in this context, women and children who have reached the age of Chinuch also constitute a Minyan for the purpose of reciting this Beracha. Therefore, if a man reads the Megila for a group of women, he should recite the Beracha.

SUMMARY
If one read the Megila without a Minyan, he should not recite the final Beracha of "HaRav Et Rivenu."

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Does One Answer “Amen” to a Child’s Beracha?
Does the Beracha of Kiddush Cover Beverages That One Drinks Subsequently?
Reciting Ha’mosi When One Has Several Different Types of Bread
How much bread must one plan to eat to require Netilat Yadayim, and within how much time must this amount of bread be eaten?
Must One Recite a Beracha Before Tasting Food?
The Beracha Over Products Made From Potato Starch or Corn Starch; The Beracha Over Bamba and Marzipan
Reciting a Beracha Upon Seeing the Site of a Personal Miracle
Does One Recite a Beracha Before Smelling Deodorizers?
Reciting a Beracha Before Smelling Fragrant Fruits, Plants, and Foods
Reciting a Beracha Before Smelling Incense or Fragrant Oil
Does One Recite a Beracha Before Smelling Synthetic Perfumes?
Does One Answer “Amen” if He Did Not Hear the Beracha, or to a Beracha He Heard Via Broadcast?
The Importance of Answering Amen
Birkat Ha’re’ah - Honeysuckles, Cinnamon, Shampoo, Deodorant, Soap and Air Freshener
If a Person Mistakenly Omitted One of the Words in the Phrase “Baruch Ata Hashem Elokenu Melech Ha’olam”
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found