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On Tish'ah b'Av, it's a universal (I think) tradition to read megillat Eicha at night (and some also read during the day); see Shulchan Aruch 559:2. Generally, this is read in a communal setting, b...
#2: Post edited
by
magicker72
·
2020-07-20T02:31:18Z (over 4 years ago)
more detail/sources
- On Tish'ah b'Av, it's a universal (I think) tradition to read *megillat Eicha* at night (and some also read during the day); see [Shulchan Aruch 559:2](https://beta.hebrewbooks.org/tursa.aspx?a=oc_x2920). Generally, this is read in a communal setting, but even individuals read *Eicha* (see [Mishnah Berurah 559:5](https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.559.2?lang=bi&p2=Mishnah_Berurah.559.5&lang2=bi)).
What is the nature of this reading? Is there an obligation to read it (or at least hear it read)? Is the obligation on a *tsibbur* or on each individual? As far as I'm aware, the custom read *Eicha* is first mentioned in Masechet Sofrim, and although it says there ([18:4](https://www.sefaria.org/Tractate_Soferim.18.4?lang=bi)) that it's an "obligation", I'm not sure how normative that opinion is: I don't see it cited in the Tur or Shulchan Aruch (and their commentaries).
- On Tish'ah b'Av, it's a universal (I think) tradition to read *megillat Eicha* at night (and some also read during the day); see [Shulchan Aruch 559:2](https://beta.hebrewbooks.org/tursa.aspx?a=oc_x2920). Generally, this is read in a communal setting, but even individuals read *Eicha* (see [Mishnah Berurah 559:5](https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.559.2?lang=bi&p2=Mishnah_Berurah.559.5&lang2=bi)).
- What is the nature of this reading? Is there an obligation to read it (or at least hear it read)? Is the obligation on a *tsibbur* or on each individual?
- As far as I'm aware, the custom read *Eicha* is first mentioned in Masechet Sofrim, and although it says there ([18:4](https://www.sefaria.org/Tractate_Soferim.18.4?lang=bi)) that it's an "obligation", I'm not sure how normative that opinion is: I don't see it cited in the Tur or Shulchan Aruch (and their commentaries). It *is* cited in [Teshuvot veHanhagot 2:250](https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=20026&st=&pgnum=224&hilite=), which seems to assume a *chiyuv*, but I don't know whether there are other opinions out there, or how common this opinion is.
#1: Initial revision
by
magicker72
·
2020-07-20T01:49:59Z (over 4 years ago)
On Tish'ah b'Av, it's a universal (I think) tradition to read *megillat Eicha* at night (and some also read during the day); see [Shulchan Aruch 559:2](https://beta.hebrewbooks.org/tursa.aspx?a=oc_x2920). Generally, this is read in a communal setting, but even individuals read *Eicha* (see [Mishnah Berurah 559:5](https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.559.2?lang=bi&p2=Mishnah_Berurah.559.5&lang2=bi)). What is the nature of this reading? Is there an obligation to read it (or at least hear it read)? Is the obligation on a *tsibbur* or on each individual? As far as I'm aware, the custom read *Eicha* is first mentioned in Masechet Sofrim, and although it says there ([18:4](https://www.sefaria.org/Tractate_Soferim.18.4?lang=bi)) that it's an "obligation", I'm not sure how normative that opinion is: I don't see it cited in the Tur or Shulchan Aruch (and their commentaries).