https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillot.xml/articles/going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillotxmlarticleMegillotThe five biblical scrolls read on five different occasions — most famously the Megillat Esther on Purim.The New Jew/index.xmlTorah & Texts/sections/torah-texts.xmlMegillot/articles/going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillot.xml
https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillot
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going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillotMegillotThe five biblical scrolls read on five different occasions — most famously the Megillat Esther on Purim.Summary. The Five Megillot are biblical scrolls read on five holidays: Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) on Pesach, Rut (Ruth) on Shavuot, Eichah (Lamentations) on Tisha B’Av, Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) on Sukkot, and Esther on Purim. The most prominent in practice is Megillat Esther, which is read from a klaf (parchment scroll) on Purim night and morning. A kosher Megillat Esther scroll is a substantial purchase; many shuls own one and lend or sell privately produced ones to congregants. Reading from a printed text is permissible if a scroll is unavailable, but the mitzvah is to read from the klaf.deepergoing-deepermegillahscrollsesther2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z7013torah-textsTorah & Textssummary
Summary. The Five [Megillot](/glossary.xml#letter-M) are biblical scrolls read on five holidays: [Shir HaShirim](https://www.sefaria.org/Song_of_Songs) (Song of Songs) on [Pesach](/glossary.xml#letter-P), [Rut](https://www.sefaria.org/Ruth) ([Ruth](/glossary.xml#letter-R)) on [Shavuot](/glossary.xml#letter-S), [Eichah](https://www.sefaria.org/Lamentations) (Lamentations) on [Tisha B’Av](/glossary.xml#letter-T), [Kohelet](https://www.sefaria.org/Ecclesiastes) (Ecclesiastes) on [Sukkot](/glossary.xml#letter-S), and [Esther](https://www.sefaria.org/Esther) on [Purim](/glossary.xml#letter-P). The most prominent in practice is [Megillat Esther](/glossary.xml#letter-M), which is read from a [klaf](/glossary.xml#letter-K) (parchment scroll) on Purim night and morning. A [kosher](/glossary.xml#letter-K) Megillat Esther scroll is a substantial purchase; many [shul](/glossary.xml#letter-S)s own one and lend or sell privately produced ones to congregants. Reading from a printed text is a fallback if a kosher scroll is unavailable, so that the reading is not skipped — but the blessings are omitted in that case, and the [mitzvah](/glossary.xml#letter-M) is only fully fulfilled by hearing it read from the klaf.
Summary. The Five Megillot are biblical scrolls read on five holidays: Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) on Pesach, Rut (Ruth) on Shavuot, Eichah (Lamentations) on Tisha B’Av, Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) on Sukkot, and Esther on Purim. The most prominent in practice is Megillat Esther, which is read from a klaf (parchment scroll) on Purim night and morning. A kosher Megillat Esther scroll is a substantial purchase; many shuls own one and lend or sell privately produced ones to congregants. Reading from a printed text is a fallback if a kosher scroll is unavailable, so that the reading is not skipped — but the blessings are omitted in that case, and the mitzvah is only fully fulfilled by hearing it read from the klaf.heading
The Five Books
The Five Booksparagraph
[Shir HaShirim](/glossary.xml#letter-S) — Song of Songs. Read on [Shabbat](/glossary.xml#letter-S) [Chol HaMo’ed](/glossary.xml#letter-C) Pesach (or on Pesach itself when it falls on Shabbat). Many Chassidim read it every Friday afternoon, in preparation for Shabbat; among many Sephardim the custom is to chant it on Friday night, before the evening service. The [Rambam](/glossary.xml#letter-R) ([Mishneh Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-M), [Hilchot Teshuvah 10:3](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Repentance.10.3)) reads its erotic poetry as the supreme allegory of the soul’s love for God.
Shir HaShirim — Song of Songs. Read on Shabbat Chol HaMo’ed Pesach (or on Pesach itself when it falls on Shabbat). Many Chassidim read it every Friday afternoon, in preparation for Shabbat; among many Sephardim the custom is to chant it on Friday night, before the evening service. The Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Teshuvah 10:3) reads its erotic poetry as the supreme allegory of the soul’s love for God.paragraph
Rut — Ruth. Read on Shavuot. The story of the Moabite convert who becomes the great-grandmother of David is the paradigmatic Jewish narrative of [chesed](/glossary.xml#letter-C) and conversion. Tradition holds that David was born and died on Shavuot.
Rut — Ruth. Read on Shavuot. The story of the Moabite convert who becomes the great-grandmother of David is the paradigmatic Jewish narrative of chesed and conversion. Tradition holds that David was born and died on Shavuot.paragraph
[Eichah](/glossary.xml#letter-E) — Lamentations. Chanted on the night and morning of Tisha B’Av in the special, mournful Eichah [trope](/glossary.xml#letter-T). The book is a poetic lament over the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE.
Eichah — Lamentations. Chanted on the night and morning of Tisha B’Av in the special, mournful Eichah trope. The book is a poetic lament over the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE.paragraph
[Kohelet](/glossary.xml#letter-K) — Ecclesiastes. Read on Shabbat Chol HaMo’ed Sukkot. The most philosophical book of [Tanakh](/glossary.xml#letter-T), traditionally attributed to Shlomo HaMelech in his old age.
Kohelet — Ecclesiastes. Read on Shabbat Chol HaMo’ed Sukkot. The most philosophical book of Tanakh, traditionally attributed to Shlomo HaMelech in his old age.paragraph
Esther — Esther. Read twice on Purim: once on the night of Purim and once on the morning. The mitzvah is to hear every word, hence the importance of a competent reader. A Megillah without God’s name explicit but with God’s providence on every page.
Esther — Esther. Read twice on Purim: once on the night of Purim and once on the morning. The mitzvah is to hear every word, hence the importance of a competent reader. A Megillah without God’s name explicit but with God’s providence on every page.heading
The Megillah Scroll
The Megillah Scrollparagraph
A kosher Megillat Esther scroll, hand-written by a [sofer](/glossary.xml#letter-S) on parchment in [stam](/glossary.xml#letter-S) script, costs $500–$5,000 depending on size, quality, and decoration. Unlike a [Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-T) scroll, the Megillah is not rolled between two rollers for reading. Instead it is unrolled and folded accordion-style — like a letter, echoing its origin as a dispatch from Esther and Mordechai to the Jews of Persia — and spread flat on the reader’s table; this letter-fold is a distinctive feature of the Megillat Esther. Some scrolls are illuminated (decorated with miniature paintings); the great [Sephardic](/glossary.xml#letter-S) illuminated Megillot are remarkable works of art.
A kosher Megillat Esther scroll, hand-written by a sofer on parchment in stam script, costs $500–$5,000 depending on size, quality, and decoration. Unlike a Torah scroll, the Megillah is not rolled between two rollers for reading. Instead it is unrolled and folded accordion-style — like a letter, echoing its origin as a dispatch from Esther and Mordechai to the Jews of Persia — and spread flat on the reader’s table; this letter-fold is a distinctive feature of the Megillat Esther. Some scrolls are illuminated (decorated with miniature paintings); the great Sephardic illuminated Megillot are remarkable works of art.heading
Hearing the Megillah
Hearing the Megillahparagraph
The mitzvah on Purim is to hear every word of the Megillah read from a kosher scroll. Hence the importance of: (1) attending shul on both Purim night and Purim morning; (2) finding a competent reader; (3) refraining from talking during the reading; (4) ensuring that the noise made at Haman’s name does not drown out subsequent words. Failure to hear a word may require asking the reader to repeat it. A New Jew who does not yet know the trope can follow along with a printed Megillah.
The mitzvah on Purim is to hear every word of the Megillah read from a kosher scroll. Hence the importance of: (1) attending shul on both Purim night and Purim morning; (2) finding a competent reader; (3) refraining from talking during the reading; (4) ensuring that the noise made at Haman’s name does not drown out subsequent words. Failure to hear a word may require asking the reader to repeat it. A New Jew who does not yet know the trope can follow along with a printed Megillah.heading
Where Denominations Diverge
Where Denominations Divergeparagraph
Universal in [Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-O) practice for Esther on Purim, though customs for the other four megillot vary by rite: Ashkenazim generally read [Shir HaShirim](/glossary.xml#letter-S) on Shabbat Chol HaMo’ed Pesach, while many Sephardim instead chant it before Minchah on the last day of Pesach (or weekly, before Shabbat). Conservative practice on Esther is essentially identical to Orthodox. [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R) observance of Megillah readings is increasingly common, especially for Esther on Purim and Eichah on Tisha B’Av. Reform congregations sometimes substitute partial readings or selected passages.
Universal in Orthodox practice for Esther on Purim, though customs for the other four megillot vary by rite: Ashkenazim generally read Shir HaShirim on Shabbat Chol HaMo’ed Pesach, while many Sephardim instead chant it before Minchah on the last day of Pesach (or weekly, before Shabbat). Conservative practice on Esther is essentially identical to Orthodox. Reform observance of Megillah readings is increasingly common, especially for Esther on Purim and Eichah on Tisha B’Av. Reform congregations sometimes substitute partial readings or selected passages.heading
Sources
Sourcesparagraph
Megillot themselves (Shir HaShirim, Rut, Eichah, Kohelet, Esther) within the [Ketuvim](/glossary.xml#letter-K).
Megillot themselves (Shir HaShirim, Rut, Eichah, Kohelet, Esther) within the Ketuvim.paragraph
[Mishnah Megillah](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Megillah); [Talmud Bavli, Megillah](https://www.sefaria.org/Megillah).
Mishnah Megillah; Talmud Bavli, Megillah.paragraph
Rambam, Mishneh Torah, [Hilchot Megillah](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Scroll_of_Esther_and_Hanukkah).
Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Megillah.paragraph
[Shulchan Aruch](/glossary.xml#letter-S), [Orach Chaim 686–697](https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Orach_Chayim.686-697).
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 686–697.paragraph
[The Reading of the Megillah - Additional Guidelines and Insights on Megillah Reading](https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1493/jewish/Reading-the-Megillah.htm) — Chabad.org.
The Reading of the Megillah - Additional Guidelines and Insights on Megillah Reading — Chabad.org.paragraph
[Reading the Megillah](https://aish.com/48970631/) — Aish.
Reading the Megillah — Aish.paragraph
[Can I Read Megillah to Myself?](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6797608/jewish/Can-I-Read-Megillah-to-Myself.htm) — Chabad.org.
Can I Read Megillah to Myself? — Chabad.org.paragraph
[When do we read the Song of Songs?](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/483802/jewish/When-do-we-read-the-Song-of-Songs.htm) — Chabad.org.
When do we read the Song of Songs? — Chabad.org.heading
Further Reading
Further Readingparagraph
Adele Berlin, Esther (JPS Bible Commentary).
Adele Berlin, Esther (JPS Bible Commentary).paragraph
[Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz](/glossary.xml#letter-A), The Five Megillot.
Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, The Five Megillot.paragraph
Aviva Zornberg, The Beginning of Desire — for her Esther chapters.
Aviva Zornberg, The Beginning of Desire — for her Esther chapters.going-deeper-deeper-questions-why-did-god-create-the-worldWhy Did God Create the World?/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-why-did-god-create-the-world.xmlgoing-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-mussarWhat Is Mussar?/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-mussar.xmlgoing-deeper-deeper-questions-hasidism-vs-mitnagdismHasidism vs. Mitnagdism/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-hasidism-vs-mitnagdism.xmlgoing-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-kabbalahWhat Is Kabbalah?/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-kabbalah.xmlAdin Steinsaltzעדין שטיינזלץRabbi Adin Steinsaltz (1937–2020) produced a monumental Hebrew translation and commentary on the entire Babylonian Talmud, later rendered into English, opening the Talmud to a generation of learners without a yeshiva background.essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-articleChol HaMo'edחוֹל הַמּוֹעֵדThe intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkot — 'the weekday of the festival' — when the holiday continues but most everyday work is permitted.EichahאֵיכָהThe book of Lamentations — the Bible's poetry of grief over Jerusalem's destruction, chanted by candlelight on Tisha B'Av. Its name is its first word: 'How…'KetuvimכְּתוּבִיםThe "Writings" — the third section of the Tanakh, including Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Five Megillot, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles.essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-articleKoheletקֹהֶלֶתThe biblical book of Ecclesiastes — "vanity of vanities" — read on Sukkot; one of the Five Megillot.Megillat Estherמְגִלַּת אֶסְתֵּרThe scroll of Esther — the biblical book read aloud on Purim night and morning, telling of the deliverance of Persia's Jews from Haman's plot.going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillotMishneh Torahמִשְׁנֵה תּוֹרָהThe Rambam's monumental 12th-century code of Jewish law — the first work to organize the whole of Halacha systematically, from prayer to Temple service.Orthodox JudaismOrthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations.how-to-use-this-field-guidePesachפֶּסַחPassover — the spring festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, observed with the seder meal, matzah, and the removal of chametz from the home.holidays-shalosh-regalim-pesachPurimפּוּרִיםThe joyous festival celebrating the rescue of Persian Jewry recounted in the book of Esther, observed with the Megillah reading, gifts of food, gifts to the poor, and a festive meal.holidays-rabbinic-festivals-purimRambamרמב״םRabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138–1204), known by the acronym Rambam and in the Latin West as Maimonides, was the towering rationalist codifier and philosopher of medieval Judaism — author of the legal code Mishneh Torah and the philosophical Guide for the Perplexed. His formulation of God's unity and incorporeality remains foundational to Jewish theology across denominations.essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-godReform JudaismReform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis.how-to-use-this-field-guideRutרוּתThe book of Ruth — the Tanakh's story of the Moabite woman who joined the Jewish people; one of the Five Megillot, read on Shavuot.STaMסת״םAn acronym for sifrei Torah, tefillin, and mezuzot — the sacred texts a sofer writes by hand on parchment, all governed by the same scribal laws.SephardiסְפָרַדִּיA Jew whose family traces to medieval Spain and Portugal — and, in common usage, to the broader communities of the Mediterranean and Middle East that follow Sephardic law and liturgy. The plural is Sephardim.ShabbatשַׁבָּתThe seventh day — the weekly day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, marked by candle lighting, kiddush, festive meals, and rest from creative work.where-to-start-your-first-shabbatShavuotשָׁבוּעוֹתThe early-summer festival marking the giving of the Torah at Sinai, arriving at the end of the seven-week count from Pesach; customs include all-night study and dairy foods.holidays-shalosh-regalim-shavuotShir HaShirimשיר השיריםThe Song of Songs, the biblical love poem traditionally read on Pesach and understood by the rabbis as an allegory of the love between God and Israel. It is one of the Five Megillot.Shulchan Aruchשולחן ערוךLiterally 'the set table' — the authoritative 16th-century code of Jewish law by Rabbi Yosef Karo, printed with the Ashkenazi glosses of Rabbi Moshe Isserles. It remains the baseline reference for halachic practice.SukkotסוכותThe autumn Festival of Booths, one of the three pilgrimage festivals — seven days of dwelling in the sukkah and waving the four species, in 'the season of our joy.'holidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkotTanakhתנ״ךThe Hebrew Bible, named for the initials of its three sections: Torah (the Five Books), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings) — twenty-four books in the traditional count.essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-articleTisha B'Avתשעה באבThe 9th of Av — the year's major day of mourning, a full fast commemorating the destruction of both Temples and other catastrophes; Eichah (Lamentations) is read by candlelight.holidays-fasts-tisha-bavTorahתּוֹרָהThe Five Books of Moses — the scroll at the center of Jewish life — and, more broadly, the whole of Jewish teaching. 'Learning Torah' can mean anything from Chumash to Talmud.chesedחֶסֶדLoving-kindness — generous care that goes beyond obligation, one of Judaism's central virtues. In Kabbalah, Chesed is also the Sefirah of divine graciousness.klafקְלָףParchment prepared from animal hide to exacting standards, on which a scribe writes Torah scrolls, tefillin, mezuzot, and megillot.kosherכָּשֵׁרFit or proper according to Jewish law — said mostly of food, but equally of a Torah scroll, a sukkah, or anything else that meets halachic requirements.essentials-essential-facts-kashrut-the-basicsmegillahמְגִלָּהA scroll — most famously the Megillah, the scroll of Esther read aloud on Purim; the Five Megillot are the biblical scrolls read across the holiday cycle.going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillotmitzvahמִצְוָהA commandment — one of the Torah's 613 divine instructions, and by extension any religious duty or good deed. The plural is mitzvot.essentials-essential-facts-the-613-mitzvotshulשולThe Yiddish word for synagogue, used warmly across the Jewish world for the house of prayer, study, and community.community-finding-a-shulsoferסופרA scribe trained to write Torah scrolls, tefillin, mezuzot, and megillot by hand on parchment, following exacting halachic rules.te'amimטעמיםThe cantillation marks (called 'trope' in Yiddish-derived usage) printed with the text of the Tanakh, indicating both the melody for chanting each word and the verse's phrasing.hebrew-cantillation-teamim-tropeparentTorah & Texts/sections/torah-texts.xmlrelatedWhy Did God Create the World?/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-why-did-god-create-the-world.xmlrelatedWhat Is Mussar?/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-mussar.xmlrelatedHasidism vs. Mitnagdism/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-hasidism-vs-mitnagdism.xmlrelatedWhat Is Kabbalah?/articles/going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-kabbalah.xml