Study Megillah folio 21B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Text Excerpt
תנא: מה שאין כן בתורה. תנו רבנן: בתורה — אחד קורא ואחד מתרגם, ובלבד שלא יהא אחד קורא ושנים מתרגמין. ובנביא — אחד קורא ושנים מתרגמין, ובלבד שלא יהו שנים קורין ושנים מתרגמין. ובהלל ובמגילה — אפילו עשרה קורין ועשרה מתרגמין.
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 one person reading and two people translating, because two voices cannot be heard simultaneously. And when reading from the Prophets, one person reads and two may translate, as there is less of a need to ensure that everyone hears the precise translation, as the Prophets do not teach halakha. This is the case provided that there are not two people reading and two translating. And when reciting hallel and reading the Megilla, even 10 people may read and 10 may translate.
מאי טעמא? כיון דחביבה — יהבי דעתייהו ושמעי.
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.
מקום שנהגו לברך — יברך. אמר אביי: לא שנו אלא לאחריה, אבל לפניה — מצוה לברך. דאמר רב יהודה אמר שמואל: כל המצות כולן מברך עליהן עובר לעשייתן.
§ 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 blessing that is recited before the reading, it is a mitzva to recite the blessing according to all opinions, as Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: With regard to all the mitzvot, one recites a blessing over them prior to [over] their performance.