When and How to Hear the Megillah on Purim

Have you ever been in a synagogue on Purim and wondered why everyone suddenly starts making a tremendous racket with noisemakers, stamping their feet, and booing loudly? Welcome to the Megillah reading, one of the most unique and engaging experiences in all of Jewish life. Hearing the Megillah is the central mitzvah of Purim, and understanding how it works will help you get the most out of this extraordinary event.

What Is the Megillah?

The Megillah (literally "scroll") refers to Megillat Esther, the Book of Esther, which tells the story of how the Jewish people in ancient Persia were saved from Haman's plot to destroy them. The story is read from a handwritten parchment scroll, similar in format to a Torah scroll but smaller, and it is one of the five megillot (scrolls) in the Hebrew Bible.

When Is the Megillah Read?

The Megillah is read twice on Purim:

Purim Night: The first reading takes place after nightfall on the evening of the 14th of Adar (or the 15th in walled cities for Shushan Purim). Most communities read it in the synagogue after the evening prayers.

Purim Day: The second reading takes place during the daytime, typically in the morning after Shacharit (morning prayers). Both readings are obligatory, and you must hear the complete Megillah at each reading.

If your community offers multiple reading times, choose the one where you can best concentrate and hear every word. Many synagogues offer an early morning reading and a later one, and some even offer special family-friendly readings for those with young children.

The Blessings

Before the Megillah reading, three blessings are recited (the reader says them on behalf of the congregation):

1. Al Mikra Megillah: "Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us regarding the reading of the Megillah."

2. She'asah Nisim: "Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days, at this time."

3. Shehechiyanu: "Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion."

After the reading, a closing blessing is recited, praising God who fights our battles and delivers us from our enemies.

How to Listen Properly

Here is the most important rule of the Megillah reading: you must hear every single word. Missing even one word means you have not fulfilled the mitzvah. This can be challenging given the noisy atmosphere, so here are some practical tips:

Follow along in a printed text: Most synagogues provide printed Megillah texts or booklets. Following along helps you stay focused and catch any words you might miss.

Sit near the reader: If you have difficulty hearing, sit as close to the person reading the Megillah as possible.

Read quietly along with the reader: If you miss a word, you can quickly read it yourself from the printed text to "catch up." You cannot, however, read ahead of the reader.

Stay for the entire reading: The Megillah has ten chapters and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to read. Make sure you are present for the whole thing.

When Haman's Name Is Mentioned

Here is where things get fun. The custom is to make noise whenever Haman's name is mentioned during the reading to symbolically "blot out" his name. This is done with:

Groggers (ra'ashanim): Handheld noisemakers, typically made of wood or metal, that produce a loud rattling sound when spun.

Stamping feet: A simple and effective method.

Booing and hissing: The vocal crowd response.

Banging on chairs or tables: For maximum effect.

However, there is an important balance to strike. The noise should stop quickly so that the reader can continue and everyone can hear the next words. Excessive noise that causes people to miss words actually undermines the very mitzvah it is supposed to enhance. Good grogger etiquette means: make noise enthusiastically when Haman's name is mentioned, then stop immediately so the reader can continue.

Who Is Obligated?

Both men and women are obligated to hear the Megillah, since women (specifically Esther) played a central role in the miracle. Children should also be brought if they are old enough to listen quietly. Very young children who might disrupt the reading are generally better left at home with a babysitter, so that others can hear every word.

Special Verses

Four verses in the Megillah are traditionally recited aloud by the entire congregation before the reader reads them. These are key verses that capture the essence of the story:

"There was a Jewish man in Shushan the capital, whose name was Mordechai" (2:5)

"And Mordechai went out from before the king in royal apparel" (8:15)

"The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor" (8:16)

"For Mordechai the Jew was viceroy to King Achashverosh" (10:3)

The congregation reads each verse aloud, and then the reader repeats it from the scroll.

The Megillah Scroll

The Megillah used for the public reading must be handwritten on parchment by a qualified scribe, just like a Torah scroll. Before reading, the reader unfolds the entire scroll and folds it over, a unique practice that distinguishes the Megillah from other scroll readings. This is done because the text itself refers to the Purim story as an "igeret" (letter), so we display it like a letter rather than rolling it like a scroll.

What If You Cannot Attend?

If you cannot make it to a synagogue for the Megillah reading, there are alternatives. Many communities organize additional readings in hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes. You can also read the Megillah yourself from a kosher scroll if one is available. Reading from a printed book does not fulfill the obligation, but hearing the reading over a phone or live stream is a matter of debate among contemporary authorities. In case of necessity, consult your rabbi.

The Megillah reading is more than a retelling of an ancient story. It is a living experience that connects you to the deeper themes of Purim: the hidden hand of God, the power of human courage, and the unbreakable spirit of the Jewish people. Make sure to hear every word, make some noise for Haman, and let the joy of the story fill your heart.

For more about Purim customs, see our guides to costumes and celebrations, mishloach manot ideas, and the four mitzvot of Purim.