Shabbat Parashat Tetzaveh| 5763

Question:  Does one who cannot make it to shul for the reading of the megillah need to have a minyan in his or her home for this purpose?

Answer:  Both men and women should make all reasonable efforts to fulfill the mitzva of hearing the reading of Megillat Esther, night and day (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 689:1 - see also Mishna Berura 689:1). Regarding whether this requires a minyan or not, Rav and Rav Asi disputed the point (Megillah 5a). Rav Asi said that a minyan is required, and Rashi (ad loc.) explains that the minyan is needed for pirsumei nisa (publicizing the miracle of Purim), which is part and parcel of the mitzva. Rav held that as long as the reading is done on Purim itself, a minyan is not required. Rashi explains that since everyone is obligated and will be reading in one venue or another, the individual is part of the framework of pirsumei nisa.

  There is significant discussion among the Rishonim if the machloket between Rav and Rav Asi is l’chatchika (proper course of action) or even b’dieved (after the fact) and how we should pasken (see Beit Yosef, Orach Chayim 690). The Shulchan Aruch (690:18) rules that one should try to have a minyan, but if it’s not possible, an individual or small group may read the megillah. The Rama (ad loc.) adds that one  makes the berachot on such a reading (the Shulchan Aruch apparently agrees). (On “Purim M’shulash” the situation is somewhat more stringent, although the bottom line for those who cannot find a minyan is the same (Purim M’shulash 2:6)).

  The Rama also adds that if there already was a minyan in town for megillah reading and, thus, there was pirsumei nisa, the individual has no problem in reading without a minyan. The Mishna Berura (ad loc.:64) cites that this opinion is not universally accepted. Thus, it is still preferable (not mandatory) for an individual to try to find 10 people for his/her reading. However, those who have an opportunity to hear the reading in shul, which is preferable even to a small minyan because of b’rov am hadrat melech (Biur Halacha, ad loc.), need not give up their optimal fulfillment of the mitzva to enable an individual to fulfill his mitzva optimally. If they agree to go or to hear the megillah a second time to form a minyan for the person (male or female) who couldn’t come to shul, they are doing a chesed. This is particularly important if, for example, a certain sick person would feel disappointed at not taking part in a “proper reading.”