Pesak: In any case, the Halachah follows Rav, because R. Yochanan holds like him (19b);

He taught that if one read a Megilah written among Kesuvim, he was not Yotzei. We conclude that we distinguish between an individual and a Tzibur (an individual was Yotzei).

Inference: An individual may read the Megilah.

Support: This is the Halachah, for when Rav and R. Yochanan argue, the Halachah follows R. Yochanan, and all the more so here, for they agree. Also, Rav Asi [who disagrees] was Rav's Talmid.

Pesak (R. Yosef Ish Yerushalayim): Even an individual must bless.

Support #1 - Citation (Teshuvas Rashi): It seems to me that there is no difference between an individual and a Tzibur. One blesses, and the others listen.

Support #2: Since we proved that an individual reads, if it were true that he reads without a Berachah, the Gemara should have explained that when we teach (21b) the Berachos, these are [only] b'Tzibur.

Question (R. Elchanan): We say in Beitzah (12a) that one who slaughters Olas Nedavah on Yom Tov is lashed. We conclude that this is like Beis Shamai...

Why didn't we teach [that he is lashed for] Olas Re'iyah? This is a bigger Chidush. Even though it is a need of Yom Tov, he is lashed according to Beis Shamai!

Suggestion: It says Olas Nedavah to teach that even so, Beis Hillel permit.

Rejection: It is clear (Beitzah 19a) that Beis Hillel and Beis Shamai do not argue about an Olah that is not of Yom Tov. Surely it is not offered on Yom Tov;

Summation of question: If so, why did we mention Olas Nedavah?

Answer: We mentioned Olas Nedavah to infer that one is not lashed for Shalmei Nedavah, since it is needed for Ochel Nefesh;

However, it is forbidden, for it says "Lachem".

Explanation: This was not truly in the wagon. Rather, it means in public (on the market day).

Question: Why does it say that he bathed? He may even eat!

Citation (Rosh Hashanah 18b - Beraisa): When there is no affliction and no Shalom (rather, Nochrim rule over Yisrael), if they want, they fast. If they want, they do not fast.

Answer: Since our ancestors already accepted on themselves [to fast], presumably also they accepted it.

Question #1: How could this Tana think that Rebbi wanted to uproot Tish'ah b'Av totally?!

Citation (Ta'anis 30b): Anyone who eats and drinks on Tish'ah b'Av will not see the consolation of Yerushalayim!

Question #2: Beis Din cannot uproot words of another Beis Din unless it is greater in Chachmah and number [of Talmidim]!

Answer #1: He wanted to uproot it only from the stringency over other fasts.

Answer #2: He wanted to uproot it only from the ninth and fix it to be on the 10th, like R. Yochanan said (Ta'anis 29a) "if I was there, I would have fixed it on the 10th."

Answer (Rashi, to one who asked whether Avelus applies on the days of the Megilah): Who gave power to the days of Megilas Esther to override Avelus?!

Suggestion: Eulogies are forbidden because it says "Yemei Mishteh u'Simchah."

Rejection: We find that everyone is lenient about this!

Rather, surely Yemei Mishteh u'Simchah only teaches that we do not do Nefilas Apayim (Tachanun), for it is not a day of affliction, rather, a day of Simchah.

Assertion: This was in the days of Antoninus (the Roman emperor who used to go to learn from Rebbi), when they were together, like it says in Avodah Zarah (10a);

He wanted to exempt Teverya from taxes, because Chachamim were there. He said "[I want] to make Teverya permanently free."

Question: Rebbi permitted Beis She'an [from tithing] because he heard that R. Meir ate a vegetable leaf [without tithing] (Chulin 6b)!

Answer: There, they forbade due to a mistake (they thought that it has Kedushas Eretz Yisrael). Here we discuss something that people intentionally forbid [even though they know that it is permitted].

Explanation: [We diminished business] of Simchah, just like the building and planting below;

Other building is permitted. There is no business greater than this!

Explanation: This means that they should not rejoice at all. They are more stringent than Tish'ah b'Av, on which we may be Mekadesh [women].

Suggestion: We diminish [Simchah], but we rejoice a little.

Rejection: If so, it should have specified the Shi'ur, how much is considered diminishing.