14. The reader of the Megillah should read [the names of] Haman's ten sons (Esther 9:6-10) and the word "Aseres" ("ten") [which follows their names], in a single breath, to publicize that they were all hung and killed as one. It is customary to include the phrase "Chamesh mei'os ish" ("five hundred men") (1) [along with the names of the ten sons that follow it,] in a single breath. After the fact ("B'deavad"), however, even if one took a breath between the names of Haman's ten sons, one has fulfilled one's obligation. Some communities follow an improper custom, whereby the entire congregation recites the names of Haman's ten sons [along with the reader]. Instead, the reader alone should recite them and the congregation should listen, as is done with the entire Megillah. When the reader recites the verse, "That night, the king's sleep was disrupted," (Esther 6:1), he should raise his voice, because the central aspect ("Ikkar") of the miracle begins from that point. When he recites the words, "Ha'igerres Hazos" ("this epistle") (Esther 9:26), he should shake the Megillah.

FOOTNOTES:

(1) Each of the ten sons of Haman controlled fifty men (Oruch HaShulchan 690:21)

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