Megillah (Talmud)
Megillah / מגילה (Eng. " [book ] Roll" ) is the 10th treatise of the Mishnah in order Mo'ed ( hard times, feast day ).
The name of the treaty refers to the Book of Esther on Purim to verlesende. The first chapter in the first four Mischnajot the questions of when and where the scroll of Esther is to be read. The following applies:
"Cities that have since the days of Joshua are now surrounded by a city wall, read on the 15th [ of the month Adar ]. Villages and small towns read on 14 " ( mMeg 1.1 ).
In leap years, where there is a second Adar, the role will read this month. At Mishna 4, which negotiated the distinction between the first and second Adar, is a list of things or regulations follows, with the formula " There is no difference between ... " are introduced.
The second chapter deals with the question of how and by whom will read the role and how it could be created. Here too close to other comments that are not connected to the output on " scroll of Esther ." In the third chapter the general theme of the treatise is exited. Instead, questions about synagogues, their facility as well as the readings on Sabbaths and holidays are discussed. The fourth chapter finally treated again the reading of the scroll of Esther, as well as similarities and differences to the reading of the Torah scroll. The treatise concludes with an enumeration of the Tanakh - sections that can be read (not translated) should be, as well as two sections ( Ezekiel 1 and 16), which should not be used as the Haftarah.
The treatise is significant by the news about the design of the liturgy in early Judaism and the valid to date halachic rules for Purim. More information can be found in the Tosefta and in the Gemara of the eretz - jisra'elischen and the Babylonian Talmud.
In tractate of the Babylonian Talmud is also found ( fol. 7b) the known, prompting for excessive celebration place, it is a commandment to drink on Purim so much (alcohol) until you can no longer distinguish between " " cursed be Haman " and " blessed be Mordechai ."