Megillah Reader Guidelines Checklist

Thank you for your interest in reading Megillat Esther at your upcoming women’s or mixed megillah reading. In order to keep the reading both organized and kosher, here are a few guidelines to keep in mind. Please review the complete list.

1. Familiarize yourself with the chapter (perek) or verses (pesukim) that you signed up to read. Make sure that you are aware of where your section begins and ends.
2. Our primary learning resource is Jofa's Megillat Esther App, which has recordings of the readings mapped over the text to help you learn. Note: If you need additional support or have questions about pronunciation, please contact the person organizing your megillah reading.
3. If there are special verses within your section (i.e., verses that contain Haman’s name, verses that are read with two different pronunciations, verses  that the congregation repeats, verses that are read using the Eicha trope, etc.), make sure that you practice them as such. This document outlines the places where these verses are found, along with more information on planning a megillah reading.
4. When the verses you read contain Haman’s name, practice reading them with an added repetition of Haman’s name, in case it is drowned out by noise making the first time.
5. The megillah will be read from a klaf (a kosher parchment scroll) with a tikkun font that contains no punctuation or cantillation marks. If you do not have access to a physical megillah in advance of the reading as preparation for the actual Purim reading. The button to switch font options is located in the bottom right hand corner of the app, in the chapter you are reading.
6. There will be a gabbait or gabbai (monitor) whose job is to make sure that every word of the megillah is read correctly. Inevitably, mistakes will be made. It is OK to be corrected. Every reader should be prepared to be corrected and to repeat a word or phrase as needed at different points within your section.
7. Every individual needs to hear every word of the megillah. There should be no talking between the initial blessings, the entirety of the megillah reading, and the final blessings.
8. Every reader should commit to a read-through approximately two weeks before Purim, in order to ensure a smooth flow of the reading and to catch any inadvertent mistakes.
9. Every reader should plan to  arrive at their megillah reading service 15 minutes before the start time. When the reader’s section comes up, she should  approach the table/bima quietly. When the reader is done, she should return to her seat. If she is reading a portion of a chapter, she should approach the bima/table at the start of that chapter, to be ready for a smooth transition.

If you have any further questions, please contact your megillah reaading’s organizers.

If you need additional resources, please contact us at jofa@jofa.org.

Chag Purim Sameach!