Lexicon

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(Original Index)

Megillah

Megillah is a Hebrew word meaning "scroll" (plural magillot).

It can refer to in the Hebrew Bible:

• The Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther), read on the Jewish holiday of Purim.

• Any of the Five Magillot (the first part of the Hebrew Bible), a group of books in Ketuvim (the third part of the Hebrew Bible).

• A less common usage refers to a Hebrew scroll on parchment containing other full books from Nevi'im or Ketuvim (the second and third part of the Hebrew Bible).

And in Rabbinic literature:

• Tractate Megillah in the Talmud.

• Megillah Taanit, a tannaitic document listing Jewish days of celebration.

• In talmudic jargon, any scroll.