Megillah, Daf Kaf, Part 2
Introduction
Today’s section is just a mishnah. My commentary is from Mishnah Yomit.
משנה. אין קורין את המגילה, ולא מלין, ולא טובלין, ולא מזין, וכן שומרת יום כנגד יום – לא תטבול עד שתנץ החמה. וכולן שעשו משעלה עמוד השחר – כשר.
Mishnah: They do not read the Megillah, nor circumcise, nor go to the mikveh, nor sprinkling [purificatory waters], and similarly a woman keeping day for day should not take a ritual bath until the sun has risen.
But if any of these things is done after dawn, it is valid.
The main reading of the Megillah takes place during the day. The Mishnah teaches that during the day means after the sun has risen. This is also the time for other mitzvoth that need to take place during the day. Sprinkling refers to the water mixed with the ashes of the red heifer. A woman keeping a day for a day refers to a woman who was impure do to non-menstrual genital discharge. She is impure a day for every day on which she has a discharge. All of these things should be done after the sun has risen. However, if someone did them after dawn, meaning when the sky begins to become light, the actions are still valid, at least ex post facto.