5) The Levush (Orach Chaim 559)
addresses this question. He asks: Since we read Megillas Eichah publicly and we recite a berachah: “על מקרא מגילה” – “On the reading of the Megillah”, why isn’t it the minhag to write it on klaff as its own sefer like we do with Megillas Esther? The other Megillas (Shir HaShirim, Rus, Koheles) are read privately by each individual, not by the chazan for the tzibbur. Eichah, by contrast, is read aloud by the chazan to discharge the congregation’s obligation, so why do we read it from a printed Chumash, rather than a klaff?
The Levush answers: We wait and hope every single day for the day of Tisha B’Av to be transformed into a day of joy and gladness. Writing Megillas Eichah on permanent parchment would appear as if we have despaired of the geulah, chas v’shalom. When it comes to Megillas Esther, however, the days of Purim will never be annulled, so writing it on klaff was worthwhile.
However, the Chayei Adam (Klal 135, 19) learns that Eichah and Kinnos may be recited privately. According to this, the question doesn’t start. See Shu”t Siach Yitzchak, siman 254.
