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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...
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.
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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.
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Megillat Esther, with verse-by-verse linear translation.
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A highly readable English translation of the full text of the Megillah
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The three blessings recited before the reading of the Megillah: in Hebrew, English, and English transliteration.
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Interactive Megillah Reading Tutor
Use this interactive tool to learn to read the Megillah like a pro!
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What Is the Book of Esther About?
Esther is the heroine of the Purim story. The Megillah (Scroll) of Esther is one of the five megillahs in the biblical canon.
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Studying the Book of Esther
Study the Purim story from its original text, the Book of Esther, together with the classic commentaries.
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Audio | 43:11
A taste of the real thing: a recording of the complete Hebrew Book of Esther, by a renowned Megillah reader.
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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...
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Audio | 1:42
"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.
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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.
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The biblical book that tells the story of Purim, reading it from a handwritten scroll is one of the four mitzvahs of the holiday.
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