1) The names of the ten sons of Haman HaRasha, until after the word "Aseres" after their names, must be said by the one reading the Megilah in one breath, to remember the fact that they were all hanged and died at one time (in other words, as the Talmud Megilah 16b explains, they all took their last breaths at the same instant).
L'Chatchilah this should start a few words earlier, and from "Chamesh Me'Os Ish" until "Aseres" should be said in one breath.
2) If these words were not read in one breath, even if one took a long break between them, B'dieved you are Yotzei. (Ram"a Siman 690:15) However, L'Chatchilah if they were not said in one breath, they should be repeated (Elya Rabbah ibid: 11)
The congregation need not read these names, and they can simply listen to the Ba'al Koreh. (Chayei Adam and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch) However, the prevelant Minhag is for the congregation to indeed read these names [in one breath] before the Ba'al Koreh reads it. (Aruch HaShulchan. The reason is possibly, that since the Ba'al Koreh reads it very quickly, the congregation may not hear it properly, thus developed the minhag of everyone reading it themselves)
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QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and my Answers. Taken from the Q & A page on the Halacha For Today website. For study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha. Questions can be emailed to Halacha For Today)
Reader's Question:
Is one yotzei the mitzva of matanos l'evyonim when giving a check, as opposed to cash? And l'chatchila is one better over the other?
Plus, does the concept of hidur mitzvah apply to mishloach manos, meaning by getting nicer and fancier ones and coming up with a theme, or is that all just nonsense and shtick?
My Answer:
Matanos L'Evyonim has to be given with money that the poor person can use on Purim [to buy a Seudah]. If he has a way to cash the check on Purim, it is Ok to give a check, otherwise cash is better.
One of the main points of the Mitzvah of Mishloach Manos is to spread friendship among people (in fact it is more important to give Mishloach manos to people you are less friendly with than to close friends!). Therefore, it is definitely condusive to this objective to make it nice.
However, there is no inyan at all to have a themed Mishloach Manos, which often can cause friction amongst friends, peers, etc.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
