Megillat Esther: Complete Guide to the Purim Reading

Megillat Esther (the Scroll of Esther) is one of the five megillot in the Hebrew Bible, telling the story of how Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai saved the Jewish people from destruction in ancient Persia. It is read publicly on Purim, both at night and in the morning. The megillah is unique among biblical books in that God's name does not appear explicitly, yet God's hidden hand guides events throughout.

The megillah is read twice on Purim: once at night after nightfall and once during the day. The daytime reading is considered more important. In walled cities that existed in Joshua's time (like Jerusalem), Purim is celebrated on the 15th of Adar (Shushan Purim). In most other places, it's celebrated on the 14th of Adar. Both men and women are obligated to hear the megillah reading.

To fulfill the mitzvah, one must hear every word of the megillah. If you miss even one word, you haven't fulfilled your obligation. The reader uses a kosher scroll written on parchment. The congregation should follow along silently, either in a printed text or by heart, while the reader chants aloud. Four verses (2:5, 8:15-16, 10:3) are traditionally recited aloud by the congregation before the reader repeats them.

It's customary to make noise (with graggers/ra'ashanim or by stamping feet) whenever Haman's name is mentioned, to 'blot out' his memory. This is based on the commandment to erase the memory of Amalek, Haman's ancestor. Children especially enjoy this custom, but be careful not to make so much noise that you miss words of the reading. Many communities limit noise-making to certain mentions of Haman's name.

The megillah tells how King Achashverosh of Persia chose Esther as his queen, not knowing she was Jewish. When the wicked Haman plotted to destroy all Jews, Esther's cousin Mordechai urged her to intervene. Risking her life, Esther revealed her identity to the king and exposed Haman's plot. Haman was hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordechai, and the Jews were saved. The name Purim comes from the 'pur' (lot) that Haman cast to choose the date of destruction.

Three blessings are recited before the megillah reading: for the commandment to read the megillah, for the miracles done for our ancestors, and Shehecheyanu (at night reading only, or at day if you didn't hear it at night). After the reading, we say 'HaRav et Riveinu,' thanking God for fighting our battles. The megillah scroll is traditionally unrolled and folded like a letter before reading, as Esther sent 'letters' to establish Purim.