Reading the Megillah, the Scroll of Esther, is one of four central mitzvot of Purim, and it can be fulfilled either by reading the Megillah or hearing it read aloud, preferably from a kosher scroll and in a minyan, a quorum of at least ten adult Jews. The Megillah is read twice on Purim, after dark on the evening the holiday begins and also the next day. Because reading the Megillah is a mitzvah, blessings are recited before and after the reading both night and day.
Three Blessings Before Reading the Megillah
The Talmud (Megillah 21b) records that three blessings should be recited before reading the Megillah. It is traditional to stand while these blessings are recited, though the congregation sits for the recitation of the Megillah itself. The third blessing, Shehechiyanu, is a blessing for special occasions and firsts. For this reason, Ashkenazi Jews do not recite it for the second Megillah reading during the day, but Sephardi Jews do.
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First blessing before reading the Megillah
.בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל מִקְרָא מְגִלָּה
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al mikra Megillah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the reading of the Megillah.
Second blessing before reading the Megillah
.בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha’olam she’asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim haheim baz’man hazeh.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this season.
Third blessing before reading the Megillah
.בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha’olam shehechiyanu v’kiy’manu v’higi’anu laz’man hazeh.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion.
The Blessing After Reading the Megillah
Following the reading of the Megillah, a concluding blessing is recited:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הָרָב אֶת רִיבֵנוּ וְהַדָּן אֶת דִּינֵנוּ וְהַנּוֹקֵם אֶת נִקְמָתֵנוּ וְהַמְשַׁלֵּם גְּמוּל לְכָל אוֹיְבֵי נַפְשֵׁנוּ וְהַנִּפְרָע לָנוּ מִצָּרֵינוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ הַנִּפְרָע לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכָּל צָרֵיהֶם הָאֵל הַמּוֹשִׁיעַ
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha’olam harav et riveinu hadan et dineinu hanokeim et nikmateinu hanifra lanu mitzareinu hameshaleim g’mul l’chol oyevei nafshenu. Baruch atah Adonai, ha’El hanifra l’amo Yisrael mikol tzareihem, ha’El hamoshia.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who fights our battles, judges our cases, avenges our grievances, who fully repays all those enemies of our souls, and who brings us out of our suffering. Blessed are You, Lord, who delivers His people Israel from all who oppress them, the God who redeems.
More to Explore:
- Dive into the Book of Esther.
- What happens in synagogue on Purim.
- Learn how to say “Happy Purim” in three Jewish languages.
