We have seen that, according to many poskim, there is a fundamental difference between the nature of the reading during the day and the reading at night. The reading during the day has a more stringent status, equivalent to a mitzvah in the Torah, than the night reading. There are numerous halachic differences. We will mention a few:
MITZVOS TZRICHOS KAVANAH
The Shulchan Aruch (690:13) discusses someone who is reading from a Megillah in order to write another Megillah and rules that even if he said every word of the Megillah, he must have in mind to fulfill the mitzvah. The Mishnah Berurah (Shaaar Hatziun s”k 41) adds that, according to some poskim, this is only true for the day reading, which is Divrei Kaballah and equivalent to a Mitzvah Min HaTorah. In regard to such a mitzvah, we rule that mitzvos tzrichos kavanah – intention to fulfill the mitzvah is needed. However, for the night reading, which is only Mid’rabanan, he would be yotzei even without kavanah. The Mishna Berura adds that this is not so simple, and even if a mitzvah is only of rabbinical nature, it is possible that he must have in mind to fulfill the mitzvah.
EATING BEFORE READING THE MEGILLAH
Another difference is in regard to the rule of not eating before the reading of the Megillah. The Rama (692:4) writes that one may not eat at night before the reading of the Megillah, even if one is hungry after the fast. The Mishnah Berurah adds that the same is true before reading the Megillah in the morning, just as one may not eat before any mitzvah, such as before hearing the shofar or shaking the lulav.
However, the Magen Avraham writes that, at night, since the level of the requirement is of rabbinical nature, if one is particularly weak, there is room to be more lenient. On the other hand, in regard to the reading during the day, which is akin to a Mitzvah Min HaTorah, it is possible that there is no such leniency.
WHEN IN DOUBT
Another halachic difference may be in regard to a doubt if someone fulfilled the mitzvah properly, such as if he heard every word or if he read at a time which is halachically questionable.
At night, we can apply the rule of safeik dirabanan likula, and he would not have to read the Megillah again. On the other hand, for the reading during the day, which is akin to a mitzvah min haTorah, there would be no such leniency, and he should read the Megillah again. However, the Mishnah Berurah (692:16) quotes the Pri Megadim, who rules that even at night, one should read the Megillah again in the case of safeik. The Pri Megadim seems to hold that even the reading at night has the halachic equivalence of a Mitzvah Min HaTorah (unlike the Noda B’Yehuda).
HEARING EVERY WORD – PREFERABLY FROM A KOSHER MEGILLAH
On the topic of reading the Megillah, it is worthwhile to mention the importance of hearing every word. In three places, the Mishnah Berurah (690:5, 19, 48) writes that one must hear every word of the Megillah in order to fulfill the mitzvah.
If someone does miss some words, he can read it himself, preferably from a kosher Megillah, but if not, even from a Chumash if necessary. The Pri Megadim writes that it is better to have your own kosher Megillah to be able to read the words yourself from a Megillah. The Mishna Berurah (690:60, 689:5) adds that, if needed, you can also read the words from a Chumash.
In fact, the Kaf Hachaim (690:97) writes that the baal korei should be careful to read all of the names of Haman and the words v’es from the correct place in the Megillah in order to fulfill the mitzvah correctly by reading every word from a kosher Megillah. Interestingly, the sefer Yesod V’shoresh Ha’Avodah writes that since the baal korei reads the names of Haman’s sons very fast, and we may miss some of the words, everyone should say it themself.
IN CONCLUSION
According to many poskim, there is a fundamental difference between the nature of the reading during the day and the reading at night. The reading during the day has a more stringent status, equivalent to a mitzvah in the Torah, unlike the night reading. The difference between the reading during the day and the reading at night is if someone did not have the intention to fulfill the mitzvah, in regard to a safeik, doubt, and if one can eat before the Megilla reading when needed.
Everyone must be sure to hear every single word of the Megillah, preferably from a kosher Megillah.
