Q. There are in our days a significant amount of people who due to the pandemic restrictions, will be unable to hear the Megillah reading from a proper manuscript this year, either because they are hospitalized and the ones who can read for them are restricted in access or because they are isolated and can't travel to a proper shul these days. Should they recite Halel instead? With or without a bracha?
A. Shaarei Teshuva (693: 2) quoting Meiri and referring to Talmud Megila (14a) that teaches that the reason we do not recite Halel during Purim is because the reading of the Megila is tantamount to it. Therefore, when one cannot read the Megila, one should indeed recite Halel. He recommends to recite without a brocho. Nitei Gavriel (Purim 24: 2) maintains a similar position. (See also Chashukei Chemed Megila 14a regarding women).
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that there is no need to recite Halel.
Rabbi A, Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
