Women's Obligation in Megillas Esther

QUESTION: Women are certainly obligated in the mitzvah of Megillah reading. Is it preferable for women to go to Shul to hear the Megillah reading, or is it equally acceptable for them to hear the Megillah at home if that is easier?

ANSWER: Regarding the performance of mitzvos there is a general concept of “b’rov am hadras Melech” (when a crowd performs a mitzvah, it is more beautiful). This is especially true for the reading of Megillas Esther which incorporates an element of pirsumei nisa (publicizing the miracle). The larger the crowd, the greater the publicity. The question is whether the concept of “b’rov am” applies to women as well.

This seems to be a matter of dispute among poskim. The Chelkas Yaakov (OC 232) writes that there is no obligation of “b’rov am” for women. The Mishnah Berurah (689:1) writes as well that only in some communities do the women go to shul to hear the Megillah reading. However, the Chayei Adam (155:7) writes that indeed men, women, and children should all make an effort to hear the Megillah in shul in order to fulfill the mitzvah in the optimal manner, “b’rov am”. In practice, there are different customs, and one should consult the local rabbi.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.