By: Rabbi Daniel Reifman The book of Esther is famously distinctive for being only one of two biblical books which do not contain the name of God (Shir haShirim being the other). Commentators have often struggled with this curious phenomenon:…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar, Purim
The story of Esther is a story that is replete with rich costumes which can reflect or at times reveal the key personalities. This shiur will examine the role of the sartorial masks of the Megilla and in particular, the…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish living, Marriage and divorce, Jewish calendar
On the surface, Purim and Pesach have a number of things in common: 1) we drink four cups of wine on Pesach; we drink ad d’lo yada on Purim. 2) We have a festive meal on Pesach; we have a…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar, Pesach, Purim
In the run up to Purim, Rabbi Michael Hattin gave the second lecture in a 2-part series on Megillat Esther, this time focusing on Divine Concealment and Human Initiative. Click here for part 1.
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar, Purim, Self & spirituality
In this special podcast for Purim, Rabbi Rahel Berkovits discusses the gemara Shabbat, which claims that the Jewish people were forced to accept the Torah at Sinai, and only on Purim did they truly agree to the covenant of their…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar, Purim
In this podcast, Rabbi Meir Schweiger examines the Purim reality described in the Book of Esther and compares it with the vision of the Torah. He then connects both to a deeper understanding of exile and redemption. Please let us…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar, Purim
HAVRUTA MASTERCLASS from Rabba Yaffa Epstein and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy in which they discuss modern day perceptions of two biblical heroines. Meesh: Back then, the ceiling was not glass, and I don’t think Esther or Ruth made any attempt…
Personalities, Biblical personalities, Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar
In this podcast, Rabbi Zvi Grumet discusses the importance of community and how this is illustrated in the story and practice of Purim. He looks at the different areas within the megillah and the laws that highlight why Purim is…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar, Purim
Rahel Berkovits looks into the obligation of women in the reading of the megillah and discusses how things are not as they seem. She goes on to show how the laws are a window to the complexity of the status…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar, Purim, Jewish living
A Case of Purim Spiel Czech Not Doing its Job (For the greatest effect, it is advisable to read this selection out loud…) Throughout our history, atheists or acrostics have attempted to remove God from the relief system of the…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar, Purim, Self & spirituality
In a lecture held at Pardes Jerusalem, Michael Hattin discusses and attempts to unravel the Greatest Mystery of the Megilla – the absence of God’s name.
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar, Purim
The fun house sideshow of ultra-Orthodox life in Israel and the New York area bursts forth every Purim, as the Haredim transform themselves into fez-wearing Turks, medieval noblemen and so on. We enjoy the easing of cultural barriers in the…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Critical issues, Jewish denominations, Self & spirituality
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