Megillah 32 – After reading the Torah

After they have read the Torah in the synagogue – which was done by calling multiple people – they call another person to raise the Torah scroll, for all to see, and then to “dress it up” – that it, to put the cover on it. This person takes away the reward of all the previous ones. How could it be? – The Talmud likes to emphasize things. Rather, his reward is equal to all of the previous ones combined.

With all that we said about the Torah on the previous pages, how could God say, “I, too, will give you laws that are not good?” Rabbi Yochanan says that it is talking about someone who is learning, but does not express his joy of learning in singing. However Abaye asked about this, “Just because someone does not know how to sing nicely, he deserves the bad words?” Rather, it is talking about two Sages who live in the same city but do not discuss Torah between them.

Moses established a custom to learn the laws of each Festival on or before its time. Where is this in the Torah? In the phrase “And Moses told the laws of the Holidays to all Israel.” It is customary to connect the end of a Tractate with its beginning – and here we can remember that the beginning of this Tractate discussed when the people should read the Megillah – which obviously requires study in advance.

Art: Two gentlemen discussing business by Fritz Wagner

Megillah 30 – What happens when Purim is on Friday?

If Purim happens on a Friday, when will we read the Torah portion of “Remember Amalek and what he did to you?” There is a direct connection between the two: on Purim they destroy Amalek (since Haman was a descendant of this archenemy of the Jews), and on Shabbat when they read about it, the people recall this commandment. Logically, one should read about Amalek first, and only then go to fight him. Therefore, they should read about Amalek on the Shabbat before Purim – and that is what Rav says. Shmuel, however, holds that they should read about Amalek in its proper time as it falls out. As far as events being out of order: first do, and then be commanded – Shmuel answers that since there are walled cities, who would celebrate Purim on the fifteenth of the month, for them at least it will come at the same time.

The Talmud continues with the discussion of the multiple possible occurrences of calendar days and Shabbat, Holidays, and the Torah portions read on these occasions. Today, when the calendar is fixed and is not determined by the Court, many of these coincidental occurrences can not happen.

Art: Punishment of Haman (detail) by Michelangelo Buonarroti

Megillah 29 - When to close the books

One should stop learning Torah to accompany a funeral procession or accompany a bride to the wedding. However, this is only when there are not enough people to honor the dead. And how many is enough? - Twelve thousand, just as the number of men who went to war with Midian. Others, however, say that it is six hundred thousand: just as the Torah was given to the soul in the presence of six hundred thousand people, it is taken away with six hundred thousand.

Abaye said, "Initially, I learned Torah at home and prayed in the synagogue. Once I understood how God loves the synagogue, I learn and pray there." In another place, we have a conflicting statement, which recommends praying in the place of learning. The synagogue is called "a small Temple." In the future, all synagogues and study halls will be transplanted to Israel.

Close to Purim, in Adar, there are four unique Torah portions read in the synagogue. Here they are. Half-shekel collection for the Temple - because of its timing next month. The portion of destroying Amalek - because of its connection to Purim. The red heifer - since it was used to purify the people before the Holidays. "This month will be for you to celebrate Passover" - because by then, it is already Passover time.

Art: The Funeral by Edouard Manet

Megillah 28 – A synagogue in ruins

A synagogue that has fallen into ruin and is not used for prayer nevertheless retains its sanctity. One may not eulogize ordinary people there (unless Sages are present, making it a public eulogy). One may not work there, such as making ropes or nets or spreading fruit on its roof. One should also not use the synagogue as a shortcut.

Why is this? – Because of the phrase, “And I will make your sanctuaries desolate.” Thus, even after desolate, they are still called “your sanctuaries” and retain their rights. If grass sprouts there, one should not uproot it - to inspire grief.

Since one cannot enter the synagogue for personal affairs, what is he to do when calling someone out of it? – He should come in and sit down. Then, if he knows certain portions of the Talmud or the Torah, he should recite them. If not, he can ask a child to repeat for him what the child learned today. Thus, he has converted his visit from personal to one for study or for prayer.

Art: The Ruins of Taormina by Thomas Cole

Megillah 23 – When do you need a minyan

As we learned before, many people are called to read from the Torah on different days, but on Shabbat, it is the most – seven. Why seven? Some say it is because of seven words in the blessing of the Priests, and others – that it corresponds to seven servants of Achashverosh who "saw his face of the king every day."

In principle, a woman or a minor can be called to read from the Torah, but the Sages said that it should not be done – because it will reflect negatively on the level of knowledge of the male contingent.

Certain events require the presence of a minyan, or ten adult Jewish males. For example, communal prayer (with the prayer leader's repetition of the Amidah) cannot be said when there are less than ten people present. Also, the Kohanim don't say their blessing, and the Torah is not read unless there is a minyan present.

But how do we know that the minyan is exactly ten people? – from the word "among." This word is used in describing the congregation of Korach. It is also used with the congregation of the spies who belittled the Land of Israel. The spies numbered ten. Further, from "I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel," we see that every sanctification needs a congregation, and this congregation is ten.

Art: The Wrath of Ahasuerus by Jan Steen

Megillah 22 – How much to read in the Torah

Moses instituted reading the Torah in public on Saturday, Monday, and Thursday. Depending on how much time people have, fewer or more readers are called up. For example, only three readers are called on regular weekdays. On Shabbat, seven people read from the Torah because people are free.

Initially, the first reader would say the opening blessing, and the last one – the closing one. Later, more people started getting in and out of the synagogue during the reading of the Torah. Then the Sages established that everyone who is called up says both blessings. People who attended only a part of the reading could mistakenly think that the reading of the Torah does not need a blessing before or after.

Everyone who reads in the Torah should be given at least three phrases. This presents another problem: since the Torah is written in small sections, visually delineated from the rest, they should read at least three phrases from the beginning of each section. Otherwise, those going in might mistakenly conclude that the previous reader got only two phrases. The same applies to the end of the portion. Therefore, how does one divide the section consisting of five phrases? – He reads three from the beginning, and the next reader repeats the last phrase; thus, both read three phrases. Some say that these precautions only apply to people who are going out. Anyone coming in will surely ask, “How come we started two phrases from the beginning? Did the previous reader only get two phrases?” - and they will explain to him that the reader started from the section before.

Art: A Rabbi Reading The Torah by Jan van de Venne

Megillah 21 – How to read the Megillah

How to read the Megillah? One can either stand or sit; however, one who reads for the congregation always stands. By contrast, one who reads the Torah scroll, even in private, should accord the Torah more honor by standing.

How do we know this rule about reading the Torah? – Because God said to Moses, “And you, stand here with Me.” In fact, Rabbi Abahu explained it thus: “Were it not that the Torah said it, it would be inappropriate to speak of God in these terms, but it tells us that God, too, was standing while teaching Moses.” From the word “with me,” we see that the teacher should be not sitting on the couch while the student is on the ground, but instead, they should be on the same level. Indeed, earlier generations, from Moses till Rabban Gamliel, were standing while learning Torah. Later a general feebleness descended into the world, and they began learning while sitting.

Even two people people can read the Megillah for the congregation, but with the Torah it has to be only one. Why? – Since people love the Megillah, they will concentrate and hear every word anyway.

Moses established to read the Torah publicly on Saturday and on Mondays and Thursdays. That way, no three days will pass without one hearing the Torah.

Art: The Discourse by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema