Daytime Megillah Reading

• The daytime Megillah reading is considered even more important than the nighttime reading.
• The Megillah should be read after sunrise. If one cannot wait for sunrise, he may read or hear it after dawn.
• The reading may take place anytime during the day but should finish before sunset. If one didn't read it before sunset but it is still before the emergence of three stars, one should do so without a beracha (blessing).

Megillah Reading Times:

CitySunrise (best to start after this time)Sunset (Finish before this time)Dawn (If necessary, may start at this time)Stars emerge (may read till this time w/o a blessing)Miami6:42 am6:23 pm5:30 am6:47 pmNew York6:26 am5:51 pm5:01 am6:17 pmLos Angeles6:19 am5:51 pm5:01 am6:14 pmJerusalem6:04 am5:38 pm4:48 am6:03 pmMelbourne, Australia7:06 am7:57 pm5:41 am8:25 pm

• One should not eat before hearing the Megillah. This applies to women as well. If one is very hungry, one may have a snack. (see above)
• In Shul, the Megillah is read after the Torah reading.
• The Chabad custom is to only return the Torah Scroll after the Megillah reading.
• It is customary to keep on one’s (Rashi) tefillin while hearing the Megillah.
• If there is a brit milah, it is customary to perform it before the Megillah reading. Some say the brit should be performed afterwards.
• One who did not do the Mitzvah of giving the Machatzit HaShekel (see above) on Monday should do so before the daytime Megillah reading.
• When saying (or hearing) the bracha of She’hecheyanu at the daytime reading, one should have in mind that the bracha is also referring to the other mitzvot of the day (gifts to the poor, mishlo’ach manot and the Purim feast.)
• Sefardim do not recite She’hecheyanu at the daytime reading. They should have in mind the above-mentioned mitzvot at the nighttime reading.