It is not necessary to write the Scroll of the Law in such a manner that each column begin with the letter Vaw. Often this practice, introduced by a scribe of his own accord and blindly followed by others, spoils a column by the necessity of cramming or spreading out the letters of the last lines in order to start the next column with the letter Vaw. Therefore, in writing the scroll of Esther, this practice need not be followed. SOURCES: L. 142; Hag. Maim., Sefer Torah 7, 7; Tashbetz, 181.