My Grandfather's Megillah

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My Grandfather's Megillah

This handwritten Book of Esther called the Megillah (“scroll”), for the holiday of Purim, belonged to my maternal grandfather. I never knew my grandfather, but I cherish having something that I know was his, was touched by his hands, and that connects us. Unfortunately, not much else is known about where the scroll came from and how my grandfather acquired it, but I can feel history—mine and that of the Jewish people—when I hold it, and I try to imagine the answers to those unknown questions. There are other kinds of megillahs, but only Esther is read from a handwritten scroll—traditionally written with a goose quill. There had been water damage to some of the lettering on this scroll, but the ink still glistens on the leather. Happy Purim, and don’t forget to make some noise if you see the name of the badman of the story--Haman….it’s written 54 times in the Megillah!

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We Made It

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This design was originally commissioned as the cover of a gift for my Uncle Hillel's 65th birthday. It is a combination of his name, הלל, and the Shehechiyanu prayer which celebrates special occasions and thanks God for granting us life, sustaining us, and bringing us to reach this time.

Since his name shares the same root letters and meaning as the psalm of praise and thanksgiving called the Hallel, הלל (clearly in both English and Hebrew), I hope my uncle is okay with my repurposing his gift for today's momentous inauguration. This can still be a time of thanksgiving even amongst division, hardship, and much work ahead.

The pre-eminent scholar and teacher, Hillel, after whom my uncle was named, was known for his kindness and ethics and many recognizable sayings, including two that feel particularly relevant and poignant today:

“If I am not for me, who will be for me? And when I am for myself alone, what am I?
And if not now, then when?”

and

“Do not judge your fellow until you come to his place.”

I post this for today's changing of guards and for having reached this day; as gratitude for the health and safety of my family and friends, including my cousin (my uncle's daughter) in DC; for our teachers--current and throughout history; and as a reminder of our responsibilities to one another in hopes that this country can begin a new kinder, more ethical, peaceful, just, healthy, informed, and honest chapter together.... starting now.