This Is the Time To Check Megillah

By Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Rabin

There is a well-known adage “the shoemaker’s children go barefoot.” Well, in my case, it’s “the Sofer himself does not own a Megilla.” What that means is that each time I lained the Megilla this year, I used someone else’s.

Why does that matter? Well, throughout my Megilla borrowing extravaganza, I came across one with an extra letter and one with an incorrect spelling of a word.
Interestingly, unlike Mezuzas or Tefillin, the Megilla comes in many variations, particularly in its layout.

There is the 11-line Megilla that is preferred by many Litvisher/Yeshivish Yidden, there is the traditional 42- line Megilla used by Chabad among others, and Megillas that come in 18, 21, & 28 lines are quite popular too. Some Megillas have the word “hamelech” at the top of each column, others begin each column with a “vav”, while others follow no pattern.

Nevertheless, despite the variations, the Halacha still requires the Megilla to be spelled accurately, have all of its letters formed properly, and be completely intact (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 691, Seif 2).

While it is true that there are various halachic leniencies that apply to the Megilla, these are only applicable in there is no alternative (Mishna Berurah, Siman 690, Seif katan 8). Under ordinary circumstances, however, the Megilla is required to be 100% kosher and fit for use “le’chatchila” before using it, let alone reciting a Bracha over it.

It is noteworthy that in the last few decades, the advent of “computer checking” has greatly elevated the quality of our Sta”M. While it is not an acceptable “substitution” for the manual inspection conducted by an expert Sofer, it is an amazing supplement.

Many Megillos, especially those which are more than 20 years old, have never been computer checked which increases the probability of them being in a state of “kosher be’dieved” rather than “Le’chatchila”.

Now is a great time to bring your Megilla to an expert Sofer or Reputable StaM retail shop for a computer inspection and correction of any mistakes.

For your convenience, Yeshivas STaM in conjunction with Hasofer is now offering full service of your Megilla including pick-up and drop-off.

As the season of Pesach approaches we are reminded by the matza “mitzvah ha’ba le’yadcha al tachmitzena”, “don’t procrastinate doing a Mitzva that’s on hand.” Don’t wait until Purim next year. It’s easy to forget about it. And here is the good news: once it’s done – it does not need to be repeated unless a specific problem arises.

–Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Rabin is a Craft Sofer and dean of Yeshivas STaM in Crown Heights where he teaches the craft and Halachos of STaM. He can be reached at yeshivasstam.com or 917-500-3833