Answer
Megillah is the Hebrew term for “scroll.” Megillot is the plural form of megillah. In a general sense, megillot could pertain to any scrolls, but “the” Megillot specifically denotes five particular scrolls known as the Festival Scrolls.
The Festival Scrolls consist of five books from the Old Testament that are linked to the Jewish festivals. Each one is recited in the synagogues during a specific festival. The timing and location of the readings may vary among the different branches of Judaism. The Five Festival Scrolls, or the Megillot, are as follows:
• Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) is recited on the Sabbath of Passover week.
• Ruth is recited on Shavuot (Pentecost).
• Lamentations is recited on Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the month of Av, as a mourning ritual for the destruction of the first and second temples (586 BC and AD 70, respectively).
• Ecclesiastes is recited on the Sabbath of the week of Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths).
• Esther is recited on Purim.
The rationale behind each book being linked to a specific festival is quite clear in two instances. Esther recounts the origins of the Purim festival, which commemorates the rescue of the Jews from Haman in Persia. Lamentations reflects Jeremiah’s sorrow over the fall of Jerusalem and the temple’s destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC. However, the connections between the other books and festivals are not as direct.
The Feast of Tabernacles prompts Israel to recall their desert journey and involves residing in temporary shelters for a week. Ecclesiastes underscores the fleeting and transient nature of life.
Pentecost celebrates the traditional end of the harvest in Israel. Given that Ruth is set during the harvest period, it is a fitting selection for this festival.
Lastly, the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) is recited during Pa
Some believe that the book of Song of Solomon was considered an allegorical representation of God’s affection for Israel in the past. This affection was most notably shown during the Passover and the Exodus.
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