וChelek 6
- All are obligated in the Megilla reading: men, women, converts, and children both male and female from above chinuch age. (ShA – MB )
- Whether you read it yourself or you listen from someone who is obligated you can fulfil your obligation. (ShA )
- Ideally, a woman should hear the Megilla being read by a man. If there is no man available to read it for her, she should read it herself from a kasher Megilla and alter the beracha to say “…lishmoa mikra megilla.” (MB )
- If there is no minyan, any man who knows how to read by himself should preferably not have someone else read for him. (ShA – MB )
- Even though you can train your children to hear the Megilla at home, there is a custom to bring them to shul to publicize the miracle more. (ShA – BeH “minhag”)
- Children of chinuch age should be under the control of their fathers. The fathers should pay attention that the children should listen to the reading. They may bang at Homan’s name but that should not be the main purpose of their coming to shul. (MB )
- Prepare the children beforehand to anticipate reading the four pesukim of geula. (MB )
- Do not bring children who are too young, since they disturb the other listeners. (MB )