19. [The following laws apply to a] congregation that does not have a Megillah that is completely kosher ("Ein Kashera Ke'dinah): if it is written on parchment ("klaf") according to halacha, but is missing a few words in the middle section ("Emtza'ah"), since a complete subject ("Inyan Shalem") is not missing, one may read from it and recite the required blessings preceding it; the reader should recite the missing words from memory, or someone else should [prompt him] by reading them for him quietly from a Chumash.

However, if there is no Megillah available at all, or it is missing a complete subject, or there are words missing at the beginning ("Ba'tchilah") or the end ("Ba'sof"), each person should read it to himself from a Chumash without reciting the blessings.

An individual who has only a Megillah that is not valid ("Pesulah"), should read from it without the blessings.

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