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I will quote from the guidance put out LAST YEAR by the OU and I will put in bold some salient points (Orthodox Union alerts@ounetwork.org Mon, Mar 9, 2020 at 1:17 PM ) The clear majority of Hal...
Answer
#1: Initial revision
by
rosends
·
2021-02-16T23:10:14Z (over 3 years ago)
I will quote from the guidance put out LAST YEAR by the OU and I will put in bold some salient points (Orthodox Union <alerts@ounetwork.org> Mon, Mar 9, 2020 at 1:17 PM ) > The clear majority of Halachic authorities do not consider Halachically adequate a Megillah reading heard over the phone or online. **There is however a minority opinion that does allow for this, provided that the reading is live, and not pre-recorded.** Following the Halachic principle that we may rely upon minority opinions under extenuating circumstances – שעת הדחק כדיעבד דמי וכדאי הוא ר״ש לסמוך עליו בשעת הדחק - this minority opinion can be relied upon for those who are in mandated isolation. > IMPORTANT: Even for those in isolation, **the ideal solution is to have a kosher, hand-written Megillah in hand which they read from audibly, either** on their own (even without the correct טעמי המקרא, cantillation), or assisted by a reading heard by phone or on-line. In such situations – as in all situations where there is no Minyan present – the closing Bracha following Megillah reading is not recited. > To summarize: > Generally healthy individuals should attend public Megillah readings as usual, where the community is exercising the proper precautions. Those who are not currently ill but are not attending a public reading because they are deemed high risk, should reach out to their Rabbi and community to help arrange a private Megillah reading. Those who are ill or have had serious exposure and must remain in isolation must not come to shul. They should ideally have a kosher, hand-written Megillah in hand from which they read audibly, either on their own or assisted by a reading heard electronically. **Those who must be in isolation but are unable to read from a kosher, hand-written Megillah, may fulfill their obligation via hearing a live Megillah reading, by phone or online. ** ----------- This information was presented as for a sh'at had'chak, extremely extenuating circumstances -- last Purim. I have not heard any guidance from this year that directly contradicts any of this, but what I have heard has omitted certain parts.