The Five Festival Scrolls, also known as the Five Megillot, are five books of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) that are traditionally read aloud in synagogues during certain Jewish festivals. The Five Megillot are:
- Song of Songs – Read on Passover
- Ruth – Read on Shavuot (Pentecost)
- Lamentations – Read on Tisha B’Av
- Ecclesiastes – Read on Sukkot
- Esther – Read on Purim
The Hebrew word “megillah” literally means “scroll” and refers to these five books because they were traditionally written on separate scrolls. Here is some background information on each of the Five Megillot:
Song of Songs
The Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon, is a book of love poetry traditionally attributed to King Solomon. It contains sensuous descriptions of physical love between a man and a woman, as well as a depiction of the strong and enduring nature of true love. There are different interpretations about who the protagonists represent – God and Israel, Christ and the Church, or the male and female aspects of human nature. The erotic language has also been interpreted as an allegory of God’s love for His people. Some key verses include:
“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine.” (Song of Songs 1:2)
“My beloved is mine, and I am his.” (Song of Songs 2:16)
“Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.” (Song of Songs 8:7)
The Song of Songs is read during Passover, which celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The Song of Songs is interpreted in this context as representing the love between God and His chosen people.
Ruth
The Book of Ruth tells the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who chose to follow her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem after Naomi’s husband and sons died. There, Ruth married an Israelite man named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s late husband. Ruth eventually gave birth to a son named Obed, who became the grandfather of King David. The story demonstrates how non-Jews can convert to Judaism and be faithful to both their new religion and their family. Key verses include:
“But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
“May the Lord reward you for your deeds, and may you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” (Ruth 2:12)
The Book of Ruth is read on the festival of Shavuot, which commemorates God giving the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. Shavuot also marks the wheat harvest season, and Ruth’s story is set during the barley and wheat harvest period.
Lamentations
The Book of Lamentations (in Hebrew, Eikhah or Kinnot) contains a series of poetic laments mourning the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple in 586 BCE by the Babylonians, as well as the suffering and humiliation that came with the subsequent Babylonian Exile. Written by the prophet Jeremiah, the poems reflect on Israel’s sins that led to the catastrophe, as well as pleas for God’s mercy and to bring the people back to their homeland. Key verses include:
“How lonely sits the city that once was full of people! How like a widow she has become, she that was great among the nations!” (Lamentations 1:1)
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Lamentations is read on Tisha B’Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem as well as other tragedies in Jewish history.
Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes was likely written by King Solomon later in his life. It contains philosophical reflections on the meaninglessness of worldly pleasures, human wisdom, and hard work. The author concludes that the only worthwhile thing is to fear God and keep His commandments. Ecclesiastes sees human life as fleeting and ultimately futile without God. Key verses include:
“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
“Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12)
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Ecclesiastes is read on the festival of Sukkot, which commemorates the 40-year period during which the Israelites wandered in the desert and lived in temporary shelters or booths. Ecclesiastes reflects on the uncertainty and instability of life.
Esther
The Book of Esther tells the story of a young Jewish woman named Esther who became queen of Persia and thwarted a plan to massacre all the Jews in the Persian Empire. After the king’s advisor Haman persuaded the king to order the extermination of the Jews, Esther risked her life to reveal her Jewish identity to the king and plead for her people. The king then authorized the Jews to defend themselves against Haman’s planned attack. Esther’s courageous intervention saved Persian Jewry from annihilation. Key verses include:
“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
The Book of Esther is read on the festive holiday of Purim, which celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman’s genocidal plot. The reading is accompanied by much celebration, costumes, food and noise whenever Haman’s name is mentioned.
In summary, the Five Megillot provide insightful perspectives into different aspects of the human condition – romantic love, loyalty, suffering, philosophical questioning, courage in adversity – all refracted through a Jewish spiritual lens. The ancient rabbis chose these five books to be read on specific holidays where their themes nicely match the essence of each festival. Beyond enriching the holiday rituals, the Five Megillot offer timeless ethical and theological wisdom to people of all faiths.
Here are some additional key details about each of the Five Megillot:
Song of Songs
- Also known as Song of Solomon or Canticles.
- Authorship is traditionally ascribed to Solomon, though uncertain.
- Contains 117 poetic verses describing romantic and erotic love between a man and a woman.
- Unique in the Bible for not mentioning God directly.
- Extensive use of metaphors and descriptive imagery drawn from nature.
- The only book of the Megillot traditionally attributed to a male author.
Ruth
- Set during period of the Judges, around 1100 BCE.
- Focuses on the journey of the Moabite Ruth to Bethlehem and her loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi.
- Ruth marries Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband.
- Descendants of Ruth and Boaz include King David and the Messiah.
- Shows God’s providential protection of the family line leading to David.
- Exemplifies the Hebrew concept of hesed – loving kindness and faithfulness.
Lamentations
- Attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE.
- Written as five individual poetic laments mourning the loss of Jerusalem.
- Starts and ends with the city of Jerusalem as a bereaved widow weeping in grief.
- The middle chapter transitions to hope and redemption.
- Acrostic structure – verses start with successive Hebrew alphabet letters.
- Recited annually on Tisha B’Av by Jews to commemorate temple destruction.
Ecclesiastes
- Presumed author is King Solomon reflecting on meaning near end of his life.
- Contains philosophical thoughts on life’s transient and meaningless nature without God.
- Discusses futility of wealth, pleasure, wisdom, labor without spiritual purpose.
- Concludes that serving God is the only proper response to life’s uncertainties.
- Seen as a profound mature counterpoint to Solomon’s youthful Song of Songs.
- Reminds that mortality and Divine judgment make purely material life pointless.
Esther
- Set in Susa, capital of Persian Empire during reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I).
- Esther, originally named Hadassah, becomes queen after winning royal beauty contest.
- Haman plots to kill the Jews but is foiled by Esther and Mordecai.
- Esther risks her life by revealing her Jewish identity to plead for her people.
- First and only biblical book not to explicitly mention God.
- Antihero Haman remembered as archetypal enemy of the Jews.
Beyond being part of Jewish holiday rituals, the Five Megillot provide valuable perspectives on the human condition that remain relevant today. The Song of Songs celebrates eros and romantic intimacy. Ruth promotes treating foreigners with compassion. Lamentations explores how to process tragedy and loss. Ecclesiastes reflects on life’s uncertainties and meanings. Esther is a story of courage in the face of evil. Each offers theological insights Jewish sages deemed worth integrating into the annual festival cycle.
While the Megillot differ in tone and theme, together they form a microcosm of the Jewish scriptural experience. Joy and grief, vulnerability and courage, sensuality and spirituality are all represented. The books were likely placed together due to their similar length and use in festivals. But when read as a collection, they provide a rounded understanding of Jewish thought not limited to any single emotion, genre or perspective.
The Megillot remind that life encompasses many experiences – joy, loss, uncertainty, passion, fear. The path of faith winds through them all. Human realities find meaning in the broader patterns of God’s providence. Life’s ephemeral pleasures and pains pass, but Wisdom remains. This integrative theological vision connects the Five Scrolls’ diverse voices into a harmonious whole.
Though originally Jewish texts, the Megillot’s intimate explorations of the human condition make them accessible and valuable for modern readers of any faith. Their inclusion in festivals and communal readings highlight Judaism’s emphasis on shared spirituality and supporting each other through life’s ups and downs. As both Scripture and literature, the Megillot fuse religion, culture and spirituality in a unique biblical collection.
Here are some key theological themes and connections across the Five Megillot:
- God’s steadfast love endures human suffering and redemption awaits.
- Faithfulness to God brings generational blessings.
- Eros and desire have divinely created goodness in their proper contexts.
- Life is transient and loses meaning without spiritual purpose.
- Courage, loyalty and hope empower one to confront life’s trials.
- God ordains human events and works through people’s choices to enact His will.
In summary, the Five Megillot provide poignant literary perspectives on the spectrum of human experience viewed through the lens of Jewish history and theology. Beyond enriching festivals, they contain timeless wisdom, insight and inspiration. For Jewish people, they strengthen identity and community bonds. More broadly, they highlight the need for faith and spiritual meaning amid life’s joys and tribulations. After over two millennia, the ancient yet ever-fresh words of the Megillot continue to captivate readers and deepen understanding of life’s journey.