Study Megillah folio 21B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
It was taught: This is not the case with regard to reading the Torah, which may be read only by a single person. A baraita states (Tosefta, Megilla 3:20): When reading from the Torah, one person reads and one may translate the reading into Aramaic for the congregation, provided that there are not
The Talmud asks: What is the reason that the Megilla may be read by several people at once? Since the Megilla is cherished by the congregation, they will pay close attention and hear it, and they will not become distracted by the different voices.
§ We learned in the Mishnah: In a place where the people are accustomed to recite a blessing over the reading, one should recite a blessing. Abaye said: They taught that the matter depends upon local custom only with regard to the blessing that is recited after the reading of the Megilla. But as for
The Talmud asks: From where may it be inferred that the word over is the language of precedence? Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said that the verse states: “And Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran [vaya’avor] the Cushite” (II Samuel 18:23), i.e., Ahimaaz overtook the Cushite. Abaye said: It is
The Talmud asks: What blessing is recited before the reading of the Megilla? The Talmud relates that Rav Sheshet from Katrazya once happened to come before Rav Ashi, and he recited 3 blessings, alluded to by the letters mem, nun, ḥet: Concerning the reading [mikra] of the Megilla; Who has performe