1,396. Beginning Hilchos Megillah v’Chanukah

Hilchos Taaniyos 5:19

All these fasts we have discussed will be abolished in messianic times. In fact, they will ultimately be transformed into holidays and days of celebration as per Zechariah 8:19, “Thus says the Lord of Hosts: the fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joy, celebration and festivals for the house of Judah, and they will love truth and peace.”

Hilchos Megillah v’Chanukah 1:1

The Sages established a rabbinic mitzvah to read the megillah at the designated time. It is common knowledge that this was a directive of the prophets. Everyone is so required, including men, women, converts and freed slaves. Children should be trained in the reading of the megillah. Even the kohanim on duty in the Temple should depart from the service in order to hear the megillah read. Even Torah study should be suspended in order to hear the megillah read; all the more so this applies to other mitzvos. The only mitzvah that takes priority over reading the megillah is burying a body that has no one to care for it (meis mitzvah). If a person encounters such a situation, he must bury the deceased first and read the megillah after.