For the source text click/tap here: Megillah 17
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The central mitzva of Purim is certainly the reading of the megilla. Interestingly enough, it is the only time during the year during which we are commanded to read a specific scriptural text not contained within chumash proper. What exactly is the megilla's 'nature' vis-a-vis other sections of Tanakh? On the one hand, megillat Esther is nestled within Ketuvim and shares 'equal' status with Sefer Ezra for example. Conversely, we are never commanded to read from Sefer Ezra and there are no specific laws governing its manufacture. What elements does the megilla share with other parts of Tanakh? If there are differences, how might we qualify them?
Rav Moshe Taragin discusses the unique insights of Rav Soloveitchik on these two dimensions to megilla as described by the Ritva .