The tune of the Megillah

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The Taamim/tune of the Megillah: [1]

The Megillah is to be read with its proper Taamim.[2]

If no one knows how to read the Megillah with the Taamim: If there is no one available that knows the Taamim, the Megillah is to be read without Taamim [with a blessing]. Nevertheless the reader must be well versed in the punctuation of the words as explained above. If they do not want to read the Megillah without the Taamim they can appoint another person to read the words with the Taamim quietly from a Chumash, and the reader then repeats the words from the Megillah together with those Taamim.[3]  

 

Summary-What is one to do if there is no one available that knows to read the Megillah properly?

If there is no one available that knows the Taamim, but there is someone who knows the punctuation, then the Megillah is to be read without Taamim, with a blessing. If they do not want to read the Megillah without the Taamim they can appoint another person to read quietly from a Chumash with the correct Taamim, and have the reader repeat the words with the correct Taamim. If there is no one available that knows the correct punctuation, the Megillah is to be read without a blessing. In such a case one can appoint another person to read quietly from a Chumash to the reader of the Megillah, and the reader repeats the words with the correct punctuation. [In such a case a blessing is recited on the reading.] Nevertheless in such a case the reader of the Chumash is to repeat the reading for himself from a Kosher Megillah. [Alternatively someone is to read along in a Chumash and correct the reader in all cases of mispronunciation and in such a case a blessing may be recited.]

 

Q&A

May one listen to a recorded Megillah reading and repeat the words after him from a Kosher Megillah?[4]

Yes. However when reading for others this should only be done using headphones in a way that the listeners do not hear the recording. Likewise the recording is to be low enough for the reader himself to hear his own voice. Care must be taken to see and read each word from the Megillah and not to repeat after the recording without reading the words inside.

 

Must one hear the Megillah reading from a person who reads in accordance to his accent? May an Ashkenazi hear the Megillah read from a Sefaradi and vice versa?[5]

Yes. We are not particular in this matter.

 


[1] Shaareiy Teshuvah 690/1; Kaf Hachaim 690/30

[2] Poskim ibid

Other opinions: Some communities are accustomed to read the Megillah without the Taamim. [Beis Yehuda 23; Birkeiy Yosef 690/1 brought in Shaareiy Teshuvah; Kaf Hachaim ibid]

Niggun Eicha: Some are accustomed to read the following versus in the Eicha tune: Vikeilim Mikelim Shonim [1/7] Vihamelech Vehaman Yashvu [3/15; 4/1] Avel Gadol Layehudim [4/3] Vikasher Avadity Avadity [4/16]. [Minhagei Frankfurt] Some write also the verse Asher Hegla Meyerushalyim 

[3] Shaar Efraim 6/58 brought in Kaf Hachaim 690/31

[4] Piskeiy Teshuvos 690/2 footnote 7

[5] Piskeiy Teshuvos 690 footnote 15

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