This in-depth Gemara study of Masechet Megillah focuses on observances connected to the rabbinically ordained joyous festival of Purim. This mini-series opened with a discussion about its observances when a Leap Year includes two months of Adar.
This flows onto an investigation of the holiday’s formal establishment, and the induction of Megillat Esther into our biblical canon. This will ultimately lead us into a discussion about the iconic Mitzvah of Mishloach Manot, the Holiday Gifting of Edibles to One Another!
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Tractate Megillah, Chap. One, Pg 7a. Episode Six: “SACRED SCROLLS, PART II”
In our previous Episode, we focused on the formal written record of the Purim story, with the Queen’s quest to enshrine the Megillah as an expansion of Sacred Scripture, via Halachik induction into the biblical [prophetic] canon of the Jewish People.
In the segment, we continue that discussion by virtue of a parallel law about a rabbinic form of ritual impurity uniquely engendered by the handling of Sacred Scrolls.
Whether Queen Esther’s scroll was written with the inspiration of the Divine Spirit remains underlying issue. Yet as it turns out, this question, in and of itself, can be viewed in differing dimensions.
As our Sages continue to seek greater clarity and find resolution, other biblical books such as Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, and even the Scroll of Ruth are brought into the discussion.
The Sixth Episode of this continuing holiday mini-series has been sponsored by Pauline Kamin to commemorate the Yahrzeit of her dear mother, Rivka Bat Zev.
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