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Jewish Practice Jewish Holidays Purim 2025

The Megillah (Book of Esther)

Esther is the heroine of the Purim story, in which the Jewish people who live in the sprawling Persian Empire are saved from Haman’s evil scheme to annihilate them. The dramatic saga was written down so that Jewish people could read about the amazing turn of events every year on the holiday of Purim, the anniversary of the Jews’ victory over their enemies.

The Megillah of Esther (megillah means “scroll” in Hebrew) is one of the five megillahs that are included in the biblical canon. Esther is the only one to be commonly read from a handwritten parchment scroll. Read more...

Printable Megillah with Hebrew-English Translation

Print the Megillah out and take it to your synagogue to follow the reading, or use it to study in the comfort of your home.

7 Comments

Megillah With In-Depth Commentary—Side by Side Version

By Yosef Marcus

The original text of the Megillah (Book of Esther) with a running commentary culled from the Talmud and Midrash, the great Torah commentators and the chassidic masters.

The Megillah with Hebrew-English Linear Translation

Megillat Esther, with verse-by-verse linear translation.

The Megillah In English

By Yosef Marcus

A highly readable English translation of the full text of the Megillah

Blessings for the reading of the Megillah

The three blessings recited before the reading of the Megillah: in Hebrew, English, and English transliteration.

11 Comments

Megillah Laws and Customs

By Naftali Silberberg

2 Comments

Megillah Reading Trainer

Interactive Megillah Reading Tutor

Use this interactive tool to learn to read the Megillah like a pro!

2 Comments

A Summary of the Book of Esther

What Is the Book of Esther About?

By Menachem Posner

Esther is the heroine of the Purim story. The Megillah (Scroll) of Esther is one of the five megillahs in the biblical canon.

6 Comments

Video

The Megillah In Depth (Video Series)

Studying the Book of Esther

By Mendel Kaplan

Study the Purim story from its original text, the Book of Esther, together with the classic commentaries.

Watch

Audio | 43:11

Complete Megillah Reading

by Michoel Slavin

A taste of the real thing: a recording of the complete Hebrew Book of Esther, by a renowned Megillah reader.

Listen Download 46 Comments

The Book of Esther in Rhyme

By Fay Kranz Greene

It happened in the days of Achashverosh the King> A boor and a fool to boot> He made a great feast for the nations he ruled> To display his treasures and loot...

6 Comments

Audio | 1:42

Shoshanat Yaakov

"The Rose of Jacob" Sung After the Megillah Reading

"You have always been their salvation, their hope in every generation... to make known that all who place hope in You shall not be put to shame..." A song of triumph, traditionally recited at the conclusion of the Megillah reading.

Listen 17 Comments

Vedibarta Bam - Questions and Answers on Megillat Esther

By Moshe Bogomilsky

Who Wrote the Book of Esther?

By Yehuda Shurpin

Queen Esther wrote this book with Mordechai and petitioned the sages to have it included in Scripture. The Men of the Great Assembly then rewrote it.

17 Comments

13 Facts You Should Know About the Book of Esther

By Yehuda Altein

The biblical book that tells the story of Purim, reading it from a handwritten scroll is one of the four mitzvahs of the holiday.

3 Comments

Join the Discussion

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26 Comments

Chaya NY March 12, 2025

Why do we dress up on Purim? Reply

Chabad.org Staff March 12, 2025

in response to Chaya :

Good question, there are several reasons for this custom, check them out here and let us know if you have further questions. Reply

anton groeneveld netherlands December 18, 2024

read sjabbat sidoer and read from yom to yom about jewish life from day to day and leave jews in peace to live their own lives without being forced to be what they are not because of being human beings with sense and feelings Reply

ellen grossman Northbrook March 18, 2024

why is the megillah only one scroll? Reply

Eliezer Zalmanov for Chabad.org March 19, 2024

in response to ellen grossman:

The Megillah was originally written as a letter from Esther and Mordechai to the Jews of their generation. In keeping with the original format, it is still produced in the same manner. Reply

Ellen Frank Park City February 23, 2022

Is there some tradition of thinking that megillah can also mean to reveal (that which is hidden)? Reply

Raphael Shuchat March 11, 2024

in response to Ellen Frank:

yes Reply

Mark March 1, 2018

I am curious as to what historical proof we have that the The Scroll of Esther was in fact written by Esther and Mordechai? Reply

Rabbi EK for Chabad.org March 5, 2018

in response to Mark:

The Talmud Bava Batra 15a notes that the Megillah was written by the Anshei Knesset Hagdolah, the Men of the Great Assembly. It was in response to Esther's request that it should be written for all generations. Reply

Steven Levy Commack March 5, 2018

in response to Rabbi EK for Chabad.org:

It also should be known of the 10,000 scrolls found by the Dead Sea , not one Megillah. Reply

YDK March 17, 2022

in response to Steven Levy:

Those scrolls were from before the Purim story Reply

Anonymous Ny February 28, 2018

Where does it say Vashti was killed. It says she would never see him again Reply

Mendel Adelman March 5, 2018

in response to Anonymous:

While the Megillah itself does not mention her death, the Talmud and Midrash make it very clear that that is what happened.

The Meam Loez actually writes that the line "She should not come anymore" was actually a decree that she should not come and beg for her life to be spared, so that the king had no chance of being swayed. See Megillah 12b. Reply

Steven Levy Commack March 5, 2018

in response to Mendel Adelman:

I disagree, my view is this was a advanced society. Just as Haman had to deal with Mordechai not bowing . He consulted on what to do with the Queen , which seems to me decisions were inspired by the advisors . Whom never mention death . Reply

Anonymous via thechaicenter.com March 21, 2024

in response to Steven Levy:

First: Egypt was also an advanced society and they through live male babies into the Nile as well as Pharoah bathing in the blood of over a hundred babies a day.

Second: really, disagreeing with the Talmud and the Midrash. Did you read Megillah 12b or the explanation in Meam Lo'ez?

Suggestions/proposals were offered to the King who then gave the order to have Vashti put to death and her head was put on a platter and brought before the King, However, the next day when he sobered up he regretted what he did (Midrash). According to the Midrash and the Talmud, his advisor, Memucham was Haman who advised the King that Vashti never again appear before King Ahasuerus (Chapter 1, verse 19)...(aka put to death from the Midrash). Reply

Ilanit Langer Far Rockaway February 25, 2018

can you give just the whole miggilah Reply

Anonymous Travelling March 23, 2016

Good Qualities Inspire People What came to my soul, heart and mind about these historical events is that to persevere with faith in G-d and, to remain honest, humble and caring, are always winning elements, blessed by G-d. They are powerful as both protection and weaponry.
That these elements are indeed blessed can also be seen in how the majority of the people did not take part in Haman’s plot. The fear of Mordecai was upon them, and did they didn’t just succumb, they also learned good things.
Esther was humble and not greedy which may well have been the qualities, along with her beauty, that brought love and respect to the heart of Ahasuerus; Mordecai was honest, fair and just and Ahasuerus learned he could trust Mordecai.
The worst element we learn from this, is greed. Haman was greedy, he wanted power.
The Jews didn’t even keep soils from their victory – rather did they have a feast and gave to the poor.
(Alas, there will always be Hamans in the world that want all - political parties that want to rule) Reply

Matt marcus December 20, 2015

Is this the
only Megillah written on Klaf; if so, why is it?
The Book of Ruth and Kohelet I believe are read from books. Reply

Itsik Fort Erie, Canada March 4, 2023

in response to Matt marcus:

I’ve seen a scroll of Eicha (Lamentations). I would surmise that it is read on Tish’a B’av. Reply

Chabad.orger March 9, 2009

Megila online You can now use the link on top of the the current article to download a Hebrew-English Megila. Reply

Chani Benjaminson, chabad.org March 2, 2009

Re: Megillah in Hebrew Unfortunately, we don't (yet) have the Hebrew Megillah on-line. To purchase a copy please use this link. Reply

amy March 1, 2009

is there anywhere i can get a copy in herbrew online??? Reply

Anonymous Boynton Beach, Florida January 29, 2009

A Great Mitzvah Since i I lost my sight your site allows me to still read and follow along with the holidays I grew up with. It's truly a blessing. Reply

Eliezer Posner, Chabad.org March 17, 2008

RE: reading the Megillah twice Rashi (Megillah 4a) writes that we read the Megillah during the night and the day to commemorate how the Jews prayed to be saved from Haman during both the night and the day. Reply

Shel Berman Paramus, NJ March 15, 2008

Megillat Esther Why do we read it twice, once at night and again in the morning? Reply

Anonymous Ny February 26, 2024

in response to Shel Berman:

Because that’s the mitzvah Reply