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The
Blessings and Reading of the Megillah
To relive
the miraculous events of Purim, listen to the reading of the
Megillah (the Scroll of Esther) twice: once on Purim eve, and
again on Purim day.
It is
crucial to hear every single word of the Megillah! At
certain points in the reading where Haman's name is mentioned,
it is customary to twirl graggers (Purim noisemakers) and stamp
one's feet to "drown out" his evil name. Tell the
children Purim is the only time when it's a mitzvah to make
noise!
Before
reading the the Megillah, the reader recites the following three
blessings:
-
Blessed
are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe who has
sanctified us with His commandments, and has commanded us
concerning the reading of the Megillah. (Cong - Amen)
-
Blessed
are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe who performed
miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.
(Cong - Amen)
-
Blessed
are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe who has granted
us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this
occasion. (Cong - Amen)
The three
blessings recited at night are repeated before the Megillah
reading during the day. However, when the reader recites the She-hecheyanu,
the third blessing, during the day, he should intend it to apply
to the other mitzvos of Purim as well as gifts to the poor,
exchanging gifts of food with friends, and the festive Purim
meal.
Some
communities have the custom of not reciting Shehecheyanu
during the day. They therefore intend that the blessing recited
before the Megillah reading at night apply to the special
mitzvot of Purim which are fulfilled during the day.
If one
reads the Megillah alone, only the blessings before the reading
are recited. The one that follows is omitted. If one had already
fulfilled his obligation vis-a-vis the Megillah reading, and he
wishes to read it again publicly for others, he recites the
blessings before and after the reading. If one reads the
Megillah for an individual, the blessing after the reading is
omitted. If the person listening is capable, it is preferable
that he recite them.
It is
customary to roll the Megillah back into a scroll before
reciting the blessing after the reading, for it is considered
disrespectful to leave the Megillah open.
If a
person who lives in a city where the Megillah is read on the
fourteenth of Adar travels to a city where the Megillah is read
on the fifteenth [e.g., to Jerusalem] or vice versa, there are
many variables that must be taken into account to determine when
he is required to hear the Megillah reading. The halachah itself
is disputed by different authorities. It is therefore advisable,
when one leaves his home on the thirteenth of Adar without
intending to return on the same day, to consult with a halachic
authority about the proper time to hear the reading of the
Megillah, and to fulfill the other obligations of the day. |
