Zoom Megillat Esther & Parshat Zachor in Lockdown

Rabbi Shlomo Brody (Facebook Post)
March 4 2020 ·
Megilla Reading in the Age of Corona: As a followup to my previous post, I was asked about Megilla Reading on Purim for those who can't attend shul because of these health concerns: As you can see in the first comment, Rav Yosef Tzvi Rimon has mentioned the option of Skype (or other live video), and I know that there are other poskim who have similarly ruled this way in recent days.
As background, there is a general disagreement among Jewish legal decisors about listening to the megilla reading though a microphone, telephone, and other electronic instruments. The majority position today (led by Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach) contends that one is not hearing the voice of the reader directly but instead is listening to a new sound created by the amplifier. As such, this is equivalent to hearing an echo sound, which the Talmud, in the context of shofar blowing, deems as problematic. Yet other decisors suggested that factor is irrelevant: as long as one hears the sound immediately, the fact that sound waves were converted by some mechanism (telephone, video, etc...) is irrelevant. (Indeed, this is how those with hearing aides fulfill mitzvot that require listening to some sound).
In general, decisors rule that people should not use electric devices to fulfill these mitzvot. Yet in cases of acute need (sha'at dechak), we rely on minority positions, following a well-established principle in Talmudic law. Thus Rabbi Eliezer Waldenburg, for example, allows megilla reading through a hospital sound system if it is not possible to bring all of the patients to hear the megilla reading (Tzitz Eliezer 8:11). Similarly, one can recite havdalah over the phone for someone who is old and frail and cannot do it on their own.
(When possible, people with a megilla scroll should read along to themselves as they listen to the live stream).
In short, if you've got someone in your community that is in a precautionary quarantine, or others who are avoiding crowds because of weak immune systems, please consider making such arrangements for them. It will help them fulfill their mitzvah and more importantly, display mutual concern and support in a difficult time.
Purim Sameach.

Rabbi Herschel Schachter, Piskei Corona #50 (18 Shevat 5781)
There are places with severe restrictions on gatherings of more than ten people, requiring multiple shifts for Megillah reading. It is best to avoid reading the Megillah at night before tzeis hakochavim, unless there are extenuating circumstances. In a case of great need, one may read the Megillah during Bein Hashmashos. If there is an even greater need, one would be allowed to read the Megillah on Erev Purim after plag hamincha.

If one has no option to hear the Megillah with a minyan due to these circumstances, if they have a kosher Megillah in their possession and know how to read it correctly, they may do so on their own.
If they do not know the reading but would be able to read it correctly while listening to a recording or livestream of a slow reading from one who does know, that would also be effective. If this is not possible, one may rely on the opinions that the mitzvah can be fulfilled over the telephone or via Zoom.
The custom is to read Parshas Zachor with a minyan from a kosher Sefer Torah on the Shabbos before Purim. If one is unable to do so, they may read from a kosher Sefer Torah without a minyan (without reciting the brachos). If that is not an option, one should have in mind on to fulfill this obligation with the Kriyas HaTorah on Purim morning. If that too is impossible, one should have it in mind when reading Parshas Ki Seitzei (in the summer months). If a person feels that they will not remember to
have this in mind during the summer months, then an additional reading of Parshas Zachor can be added this year. This should be done on a weeknight (without brachos), so anyone who is unable to leave their homes may participate via Zoom.