Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Responsa for Megillah 9:2

אמר רב מגילה בזמנה קורין אותה אפי' ביחיד שלא בזמנה בעשרה רב אסי אמר בין בזמנה בין שלא בזמנה בעשרה הוה עובדא וחש ליה רב להא דרב אסי

Rav said: The Megillah [is read] in its (proper) time; it is read even if alone. But if not in its time, [only] with ten. Rav Assi said: Whether in its time or not in its time, [only] with ten. There was such a case, and Rav troubled himself to [comply with the ruling] of Rav Assi.

Shut min haShamayim

Regarding the Talmudic debate (Megillah 5a:2), in which Rav held that the Megillah can be read by an individual on Purim, while Rav Asi held that at all times it requires the presence of ten people, and that in practice Rav followed the opinion of Rav Asi. The Rif subsequently ruled that the halacha follows the opinion of Rav, that in its proper time the Megillah can be read by an individual1Rif Megillah 3a:2, while other sages ruled that the halacha follows Rav Asi, that even at the proper time it requires ten people2The reference here might be to R. Zerachiah Halevi (see Hamaor Hakatan on Megillah 3a), to the author of Halachot Gedolot or to Rav Amram Gaon, both quoted in Tur Orach Chaim 690. On this matter, I wish to ask whether the halacha follows the first gaon, or whether it follows the sages who disagree with him.
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