1. If a person paused in the middle of the reading of the Megillah, even if the pause lasted long enough to have read the entire Megillah, he may continue reading the Megillah from the point he left off. And even if he interrupted his reading with talking – although it is forbidden to do so – he may nevertheless continue from the point he left off and he does not have to return to the beginning of the Megillah(Shulchan AruchandMishnah Berurah690).
2. If the person’s pause was due to circumstances beyond his control, such as there was a foul odor, and he paused for the amount of time he could have read the entire Megillah – according to the opinion of theShulchan Aruch, even in this case he may continue from the point he left off. But according to the Rema, he must return to the beginning of the Megillah, but he does not repeat the blessing(Mishnah Berurahibid., andShulchan Aruch65). Some say that even according to the Rema the person who paused does not have to return to the beginning of the Megillah(seeKaf HaChaimad loc.).
