On Purim, it’s traditional to read Megillat Esther, the Scroll of Esther. This biblical book tells the story of a Jewish girl named Esther who is crowned Queen of Persia, and uses her powerful position to save her people from destruction.
Megillat Esther has been published and adapted in many different editions and retellings. But one of the most unique–and, arguably, the most beautiful–was published by the Jewish Publication Society in 2005, lettered and drawn by J.T. Waldman (it’s called, unsurprisingly, Megillat Esther).
The drawings are lavish and expressive. The buildings and scenery give a breathtaking sense of ancient Persia. Esther, Haman, Mordechai, and the King are depicted with authentic Middle Eastern features, just as their real-life counterparts probably looked. The text of the story (in both English and Hebrew) weaves in and out of the pictures, sometimes appearing as a fire or a puff of smoke, sometimes as speech bubbles. Whether you’re reading it as a book at home or reading along with the rest of your congregation on Purim, this Megillat Esther is a page-turner in the truest sense of the word.
