Megillahs

We sell all of the 5 Major Megillahs, specializing in Megillat Esther.

We also inspect, repair, and restore old Megillot. Call for prices on our Megillahs for sale or for a service quote.

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.

Megillat Esther is read twice on Purim, the 14th day of the Jewish month of Adar. In Jerusalem, walled-in cities, and Shushan (in Iran, formerly Persia), Purim is celebrated on the 15th day of Adar and hence the Megillah is read then.

All men and women, over the ages of 13 and 12 respectively, must hear the Megillah two times, once in the evening of Purim and once in the next morning. Sabbath garments are worn to the synagogue, where the reading is held. Listeners must hear every word of the Megillah and speech is forbidden from the time the reader starts the blessings until after the blessing following the Megillah. Traditionally, when the name of Haman (the villain of the Purim story) is read, we "boo" him and shake Gragers (noisemakers) to herald his downfall.

Unlike the mitzvah of Mezuzah, which is performed by installing it in one's own home, the mitzvah of the Megillah is performed through hearing the reader recite the story of Purim from a handwritten parchment, in an audible voice. The Mitzvah of reading the Megillah is of Rabbinical origin, while Mezuzah, Tefillin and Sefer-Torah are of Biblical origin.

The mitzvah of Megillah is just one of the seven mitzvot of Purim, a joyous day of feasting and celebration for Jews worldwide.