If Somebody Will Not Have Access to a Megillah on Purim

The Talmud Yerushalmi comments in the beginning of Masechet Megillah that strictly speaking, one can fulfill the obligation of Megillah reading already from the beginning of the month of Adar, through the 15th of the month. Although Purim is observed on the 14th (or, in some locations, on the 15th), nevertheless, one can read the Megillah and fulfill this Mitzvah already from the beginning of Adar. The Yerushalmi infers this Halacha from the verse in the Megillah that speaks of "HaChodesh Asher Nehpach Lahem Mi’yagon Le’simcha" – "the month which was transformed for them [the Jews] from anguish to joy." This indicates that the entire month is given a special status, such that the Mitzvah of Megillah can be fulfilled already from the beginning of the month. On the basis of the Yerushalmi’s comment, the Abi Ezri, cited by Maran in Bet Yosef, writes that if a person knows ahead of time that he will not have access to a Megillah at any point during Purim, then he should read the Megillah earlier in the month of Adar. For example, if a person will be traveling, and on Purim he will not have access to a Megillah and cannot bring one with him, then he should read the Megillah before Purim, anytime from the beginning of Adar, in order to fulfill the Mitzvah according to this view. He should read the Megillah both at night and during the day, and no Brachot are recited over the reading. On the 14th (or 15th) of Adar he should fulfill the other Mitzvot of Purim – the meal, Mishloach Manot and Matanot Laevyonim – even though he will not be reading the Megillah. This ruling is codified in the Shulchan Aruch, and in Yalkut Yosef (listen to audio recording for precise citation).

 By Rabbi Eli Mansour