Hearing Megillas Esther read from a kosher scroll is the central mitzvah of Purim night and Purim day, and having your own Megillah allows you to follow along word by word, correct any errors heard during the reading, and fulfill the mitzvah with the highest level of hiddur. At Eichlers, we carry kosher Megillas Esther scrolls written by certified sofrim in a range of sizes, suited to personal use, shul reading, and as meaningful gifts.
A kosher Megillah must be written by hand on parchment, klaf, by a qualified sofer stam using a quill and specific ink formulated for sifrei Torah and other holy writings. Every letter must be formed correctly according to the rules of kesivas Ashuris, the script required for all holy writings, and the text must be written specifically for the mitzvah of Megillah reading, lishmah. The Megillah must be written in columns, with specific requirements governing the layout of certain passages including the list of Haman's ten sons, which must appear in a particular format on the page. Any scroll that has been invalidated by a missing or misformed letter, a smudge obscuring a word, or a section that was not written lishmah is not kosher for public reading of the mitzvah.
Like other handwritten sacred items, Megillahs are available at different levels of hiddur reflecting the quality of the parchment, the skill and reputation of the sofer, and the precision and beauty of the script. A basic kosher Megillah fulfills the mitzvah completely, while a mehudar scroll reflects a higher standard of craftsmanship valued for those who want to perform the mitzvah at the most elevated level possible. The price difference between levels is genuine, reflecting real differences in the time, materials, and sofer expertise involved rather than marketing alone.
Megillas Esther scrolls are available in several sizes, with smaller scrolls more compact and portable and larger scrolls featuring bigger, more easily read script suited to public reading in a shul or for those who want to follow along closely during the reading. The size of the scroll affects both how it fits in a megillah holder and how comfortably it can be held and read from during the mitzvah itself. Many families keep a smaller personal Megillah for home use alongside a larger shul scroll used by the baal koreh for the congregational reading.
The halacha requires hearing every word of Megillas Esther from a kosher scroll, and having a personal Megillah allows a listener to follow along and catch any word missed due to noise, distraction, or an unclear reading by the baal koreh. Many poskim recommend following along in a kosher Megillah rather than in a printed Chumash or Megillah booklet, since some authorities hold that hearing a word from a non-kosher text does not fulfill the obligation even if the listener was otherwise attentive throughout the reading.
A personal Megillah is read quietly alongside the baal koreh during the congregational reading, allowing the owner to fulfill the mitzvah even if any word is missed. A larger shul Megillah is used by the baal koreh for the formal public reading and must be large enough to be unrolled and re-rolled as required by the halacha during the reading. Both types require a valid kosher scroll, and both benefit from a quality megillah holder that protects the parchment between uses throughout the year.
A kosher Megillah is a meaningful and lasting gift for a bar mitzvah boy who will now be obligated in the mitzvah independently, for a newly married couple establishing their own Purim traditions, or as a significant contribution to a shul's ritual library. Browse our full bar mitzvah gifts collection for more ideas, or our wedding gifts and Judaica collection for a couple's first Purim together.
A Megillah is the heart of Purim observance. Eichlers carries everything else you need for the holiday as well.
A kosher Megillah must be handwritten on parchment by a qualified sofer using the required script and ink, written lishmah with intent for the mitzvah, with every letter correctly formed and no invalidating errors present in the text.
Many poskim recommend following along in a kosher handwritten scroll rather than a printed text, since some authorities hold that hearing a word from a non-kosher scroll does not fulfill the obligation even if the listener was otherwise attentive throughout.
A smaller scroll is more portable and easier to hold during the reading, while a larger scroll features bigger script suited to public reading or following along closely. Consider whether you want a personal use scroll or one suited to a baal koreh reading for a congregation.
Both fulfill the mitzvah. A mehudar Megillah reflects a higher level of craftsmanship, premium parchment, and a more renowned sofer, carrying additional hiddur beyond the basic halachic requirement for those who want the most elevated performance of the mitzvah.
Yes. A kosher Megillah is a meaningful and lasting gift for a boy now obligated in the mitzvah independently. Browse our bar mitzvah gifts collection for more ideas.
Store the Megillah rolled in a quality holder, keeping it protected from moisture, direct sunlight, and temperature extremes that can damage the parchment over time. A leatherette or wood case provides good everyday protection for a scroll used annually.