 The
Five Scrolls are part of the third major
section of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible),
which is called Ketuvim ("The
Writings"). They are five relatively
short biblical books that are grouped
together and known collectively in the
Jewish tradition as "The Five Scrolls"
(Hebrew: Hamesh Megillot or Chamesh
Megillos). These five books are:
1. The Song of Songs
2. Book of Ruth
3. Lamentations
4. Ecclesiastes
5. Book of Esther
History
An early testimony that these five
scrolls were grouped together is in the
Midrash Rabba. This midrash was compiled
on the Pentateuch and on the Five
Scrolls.
Liturgical use
All five of these megillot ("scrolls")
are traditionally read publicly in the
synagogue over the course of the year in
many Jewish communities. In common
printed editions of the Tanakh they
appear in the order that they are read
in the synagogue on holidays (beginning
with Passover), thus:
1. The
Song of Songs (Hebrew: Shir ha-Shirim;
שיר השירים) is read publicly in some
communities, especially by Ashkenazim,
on the Sabbath of Passover. In most
Eastern Jewish communities it is read
publicly each week at the onset of the
Sabbath. There is also a widespread
custom to read it at the end of the
Passover seder. |
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2. Book of Ruth (רות)
is read in some communities, especially by
Ashkenazim, before the reading of the Torah on the
morning of Shavuot. Others read it in the Tikkun
at night, or not at all.
3. Lamentations
(Hebrew: Eikhah or Kinnot; איכה) is read on the
Ninth of Av in all Jewish communities.
4. Ecclesiastes
(Hebrew: Kohelet; קהלת) is read publicly in some
communities, especially by Ashkenazim, on the
Sabbath of Sukkot. In other communities it is not
read at all.
5. Book of Esther
(Hebrew אסתר) is
read in all Jewish communities on
Purim. The public reading is done twice, on the
evening of Purim and once again the next morning.
When read in the synagogue, these five books are
sung with cantillation (see below). In most
communities, Esther is the only book accompanied
by blessings before and after. But certain
communities adopted the custom of the Vilna Gaon
to recite blessings before the other four megillot
(besides Esther) as well. Similarly, the very term
megillah ("scroll") is most widely used for the
book of Esther, even though it is applied the rest
as well.
As indicated above, however, only two of the
megillot are traditionally read in all Jewish
communities, namely: Esther on Purim and
Lamentations on the Ninth of Av. The practice to
read the other three books on the Three Pilgrimage
Festivals is widespread but by no means universal:
To read them is a venerable custom among Ashkenazi
Jews, but many Sephardic Jews do not associate the
three books with the three festivals. The
association is thus weaker also among Hasidic Jews
who were influenced by Sephardic customs.
Cantillation
The actual notes written in the Five Scrolls are
the same as the notes in the Chumash. However, the
tune in which their are read varies depending on
the Scroll. Esther is read in a happier tune than
the sad tune of Lamentations. Traditionally,
Ecclesiastes, Ruth, and Song of Songs are read
with the same festive tune.
In the Mishnah
Megillah is also the name of the tenth Tractate of
Mishnah in the Order Moed. It deals with the laws
of Purim and offers exegetical understandings to
the Book of Esther. It also includes halachic
concerning the public reading of the Torah and
other communal synagogue practices. (There is also
a segment in the first chapter which details
certain miscellaneous laws.)
Scroll
The Megillah of
Esther is a scroll made from a parchment (made
from a kosher animal), written on by a scribe. It
contains ten chapters of text from the Book of
Esther (in Hebrew - "Megillat Esther" (scroll of
Esther)), located in "Ketuvim" (Hagiograph). The
Megillah of Esther contains The story of Purim.
Megillot (scrolls) of varying quality and beauty
are available, some with illustrations and crowns
in them, and some with the word "Ha-Melech" (The
King) at the beginning of each column.
Traditionally, the Megillah is written with 11, 21
or 28 rows per column.
The events described in Megillas Esther took place
during the first exile of the Jewish people. In
the year 3338 from the creation of the world (422
BCE) the Babylonian emperor Nevuchadnetzar
destroyed the Holy Temple of Jerusalem and exiled
the Jews. This exile had been predicted by the
prophet Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) who also prophesied
that the exile would last for seventy years.
Nevuchadnetzar ruled the Babylonian empire till
his death in the year 3364 (396 BCE). He was
succeeded by his son Eveel Merodach. He was
followed by his son Bal'shatzar. Then Babylon was
conquered by Dar'yavesh (Darius) king of Madai.
When Dar'yavesh died he was succeeded by Coresh
(Cyrus) king of Persia. Daryavesh and Coresh were
followed by Achashveirosh. Achashveirosh married
Vashti, the daughter of Bal'shatzar. |
