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Important note: This article should not be confused with the five books of the Torah (or Pentateuch ) which also consists of five books -- sometimes called scrolls -- (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.) The Five Scrolls are part of the third major section of the Tanakh ( Hebrew Bible ), which is called Ketuvim ("The Writings"). They are five relatively short biblical books that are grouped together and known collectively in the Jewish tradition as "The Five Scrolls" ( Hebrew : ''Hamesh Megillot'' or ''Chamesh Megillos''). These five books are: # The Song Of Songs # Book Of Ruth # Lamentations # Ecclesiastes # Book Of Esther HISTORY An early testimony that these five scrolls were grouped together is in the ''Midrash Rabba''. This Midrash was compiled on the Pentateuch and on the Five Scrolls. LITURGICAL USE All five of these ''megillot'' ("scrolls") are traditionally read publicly in the synagogue over the course of the year in many Jewish communities. In common printed editions of the Tanakh they appear in the order that they are read in the synagogue on holidays (beginning with Passover), thus: #. In most Eastern Jewish communities it is read publicly each week at the onset of the Sabbath. There is also a widespread custom to read it at the end of the Passover Seder . # Book Of Ruth (רות) is read in some communities, especially by Ashkenazim, before the reading of the Torah on the morning of Shavuot . Others read it in the ''Tikkun'' at night, or not at all. # in all Jewish communities. #. In other communities it is not read at all. # Book Of Esther (Hebrew אסתר) is read in all Jewish communities on Purim . The public reading is done twice, on the evening of Purim and once again the next morning. When read in the synagogue, these five books are sung with Cantillation (see below). In most communities, Esther is the only book accompanied by blessings before and after. But certain communities adopted the custom of the Vilna Gaon to recite blessings before the other four ''megillot'' (besides Esther) as well. Similarly, the very term ''megillah'' ("scroll") is most widely used for the book of Esther, even though it is applied the rest as well. As indicated above, however, only two of the ''megillot'' are traditionally read in '''all''' Jewish communities, namely: Esther on Jews, but many Sephardic Jews do not associate the three books with the three festivals. The association is thus weaker also among Hasidic Jews who were influenced by Sephardic customs. CANTILLATION The actual notes written in the Five Scrolls are the same as the notes in the Humash . However, the tune in which they are read varies depending on the scroll. Esther is read in a happier tune than the sad tune of Lamentations. Traditionally, Ecclesiastes, Ruth, and Song of Songs are read with the same festive tune. SEE ALSO: IN THE MISHNAH Megillah is also the name of the tenth Tractate of Mishnah in the Order Moed . It deals with the laws of Purim and offers exegetical understandings to the Book Of Esther . It also includes Laws concerning the public Reading Of The Torah and other communal Synagogue practices. (There is also a segment in the first chapter which details certain miscellanous laws.) EXTERNAL LINKS
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