If the Ba'al Koreh missed even one word or even one letter, regardless if omitting that word or letter changes the meaning of the Posuk, he must go back to the place where the mistake was made and re-read from there again. (In certain instances, such as if the missed word changes the meaning of the Posuk, and he was Masiach Da'as from the Megilah, a new Bracha may be necessary too)
Similarly, one who is listening to the Megilah must be very careful not to miss hearing even one letter of the Megilah.
If one did miss hearing a word or letter of the Megilah (as is common when someone coughs, or is a child makes noise etc.) the listener must read the missed words by him/herself until he/she catches up to the Ba'al Koreh.
L'Chatchila, this should be done from a Kosher Megilah, or at least from a printed Chumash, but definitely not by heart. (See Mishna Berura Siman 689:19 and 690:19)
If a word was mispronounced, in such a way that the meaning of the Posuk was not changed, it need not be repeated L'Chatchila. If the mispronounced word does change the meaning of the Posuk, it is as if that word was skipped, and the Halachos of a skipped word apply.
2) The Megilah should be read with the proper "Ta'amim" (Trop, or tune used for reading Torah She'Biksav).
However, reading it without the Ta'amim does not disqualify the reading, thus if no Ba'al Koreh is available to read it with the proper tune, it should be read anyway by someone in the congregation. (Mogen Avraham Siman 691:10)
The Megilah must be read in the order in which it is written. If even one Posuk or letter was read out of order, the obligation to read the Megilah has not been satisfied, and it must be re-read starting from the Posuk that was read out of order until the end.
Likewise, if a Posuk was skipped, it must be re-read from that point until the end. (Mishna Berura Siman 690:21 and 22)
The Megilah must be read from a Kosher Megilah scroll.
If part (up to half) of the Megilah was read from memory, without looking into the text, B'Dieved you have satisfied your obligation. (Mishna Berura ibid. S"K 7 and 8)
Halachos for Shabbos Kodesh
1) If one who does not understand Lashon HaKodesh (Biblical Hebrew) hears the Megilah being read in Lashon HaKodesh, even though they do not understand what is being read, they have satisfied their obligation of hearing the Megilah, as long as they hear every single word. (Mishna Berura ibid. S" K 26)
2) The Ba'al Koreh should recite the Brachos on the Megilah while standing.
Many have the custom that the entire congregation stands while the Brachos are being recited. (See Mogen Avraham beginning of Siman 690. Though from the Biur Halacha in Hilchos Sefiras HaOmer Siman 489 it seems that the congregation need not stand)
While reading the Megilah, the Ba'al Koreh should stand, as doing so is "Kavod HaTzibur, respectful to the congregation" (Thus one who is reading for women, or for a group of less than 10 men, may sit L'Chatchila).
The congregation may sit while listening to the Megilah.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
Is there any circumstance where a mechitza can be less than 5 feet high?
Answer:
According to Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal, and most others, a Mechitza that is less than 3 Amos high (approx. 6 feet) is not a kosher Mechitza, and thus is as if there isn't a Mechitza at all.
Therefore, in a place that requires a Mechitza (a designated Shul or place of prayer etc.) there are no cases where a Mechitza less than the required height will suffice.
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CHIZUK CORNER
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The desire for money is greater than any other material drive, since it is the only one that is insatiable.
There's a limit to how much a person can eat, and how many times one can commit a terrible sin, but there is no limit to how much money he can accumulate.
The quest for wealth can become more obsessive than any other quest. All too often, the children are the price of the wealth.
Rav Tzadok Hakohen of Lublin Zatzal quoted in Sefer Torah Tavlin
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Important Numbers
