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Megillat Esther scroll from the Percelay Museum of Temple Emanu-El

More Than Eat, Drink, and Be Merry...

The festival of Purim is one of the most beloved Jewish holidays, in part because of the customs surrounding its observance: raucous, noisy behavior;  dressing in costume; and drinking to excess....... and all this can happen within the confines of a synagogue!

Loosely described as the Jewish answer to Mardi Gras or Carnival, Purim comes at the same time of the year as those holidays. Other cultures, as well, have bacchanalian festivals at similar times: to welcome spring by releasing curbed energy after a long cold winter. However, the theological foundation of Purim varies radically from its Christian or pagan counterparts. The foundation of Purim is a bit unsupported.

Events that inspired the holiday are recounted in Megillat Esther, one of only two books of the Bible that never mentions God's name. (The other is “Song of Songs.”) The story of Esther, Mordechai, Ahashverus, and the villain, Haman, are well-known to all. It relates the deliverance of the Jews in the kingdom of Persia from the annihilation planned for them.

Yet, there is no confirmation of the events from any other source, so the book's historical accuracy has been questioned. That, coupled with the absence of God's name in the account, provoked great controversy among the rabbis, and it was included in the biblical canon only after much debate. Unlike the other scrolls read in the synagogue, (“Song of Songs,” “Ruth,” “Ecclesiastes,” and “ Lamentations,”) the “Book of Esther” must be read from a parchment scroll; and rules regarding the reading of this megillah are contained in the Talmudic tractate Megillah. In the Diaspora, Megillat Esther became popular for its message of the triumph of justice; and it encouraged reflection on the duties of Jews towards their community. A primary obligation of Purim, beyond the revelry, is to donate to the needy and send gifts of mishloah manot (known in Yiddish as sholoch manos), to friends. The Book of Esther has also inspired many commentaries and has been the subject of much Jewish folk art.

The scroll pictured here, printed on leather with hand-painted wooden rollers, is from the collection of the Abraham and Natalie Percelay Museum of Temple Emanu-El. Artfully decorated, it was donated to the museum in memory of Dora Rosenthal and Joseph Rosenthal, a mother and brother of Rabbi and Mrs. Eli A. Bohnen, by friends. When fully opened, it measures 39” x 19” and is from Persia, circa 1900.

--Ruth Page, Museum Director

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