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...
Is it Permissible to Drink Wine or Grape Juice on Ereb Pesah?
Pesah – Bedikat Hametz After the Home Was Thoroughly Cleaned
Pesah – Verbally Designating Meat for Pesah
Passover- Laws of Matza: the Use of Machine Matza or Matza Made from Oats; the Beracha Over Matza; Dipping Matza in Water; Eating Matza Throughout Pesach
Pesah – The Fourth Cup of Wine at the Seder
Pesah – The Reason for Dipping Celery in Saltwater
Pesah- The Prohibition Against Eating Masa on Ereb Pesah
Pesah – Bringing Books to the Table, Using Tablecloths
Pesah – Halachot of Karpas; Reciting “Kadesh U’rhatz…” Before Each Stage of the Seder
Passover- Eating Rice on Pesah
Passover- The Fast of the Firstborn on Ereb Pesah
Ereb Pesah – Customs Regarding the Burning of Hametz; Refraining From Work on Ereb Pesah
Passover- Eating The Afikoman on Pesach Night
Passover- Buying Hametz After Pesah; Giving the Gentile Access to One’s Hametz During Pesah
The Proper Way to Dip the Marror in the Haroset
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found