The Gemara concludes that villages are "allowed" to hear the Megilah early, at the court day (Mon. or Thurs) prior to Purim, so that they should not have to make a special trip for Purim.
But do they arrive in town the night before court day? If not, how will they hear the evening Megilah reading?
Thanks!
C. Chanan, Yerushalayim, Israel
The Ritva 4a (on the Gemara that quotes Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi that one is obligated to read the Megilah both at night and in the day) writes that the villagers who went early to the towns read the Megilah at night at home in their village. The Ritva adds that it appears probable to him that the villagers made only the daytime reading earlier, in order to read this with the community, while everyone would do the night reading at the right time (i.e the night of the 14th) in his home village. If he knew how to read the Megilah he read it himself, and if not he went to his fellow villager to read it for him.
Kol Tuv,
Dovid Bloom