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I have heard (but have no source) that, to fulfill the obligation of reading the megillah, one must either be physically present for a reading or, if listening by phone, follow along in a kosher sc...
#1: Initial revision
by
Monica Cellio
·
2021-02-16T20:14:13Z (almost 4 years ago)
Can one fulfill the obligation of megillah on Purim via Zoom?
I have heard (but have no source) that, to fulfill the obligation of reading the *megillah*, one must either be physically present for a reading or, if listening by phone, follow along in a kosher scroll. (First question: is that correct?) What provisions, if any, exist for following remotely if one lacks a kosher scroll? Can a *megillah* reading be conducted via Zoom if a camera is pointed at the scroll being read from, so everybody can read along? If I understand correctly, one who attends a public reading needn't follow along at all, let alone from a scroll; I've been at (traditional) *megillah* readings where people followed in a Tanakh or on their phones using Sefaria. Assuming that's not incorrect, I'm having trouble reconciling "follow along in anything, in person" with "must follow in a kosher scroll, if alone". The question is prompted by the special circumstances of the current pandemic, but I'm asking about the general case. (Also, not asking out of personal need.)