The letters of Purim

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1. Stages of Acceptance of the Festival (continued)

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   Should the events in the city of Shushan be given a special status? Apparently the tension regarding setting a date for Purim reflects the tension between the Jewish center in exile and that in the Land of Israel. The process culminates in the Mishna, when two days are set for celebration - marking the significance of Shushan on the one hand, but basing the division on parameters relating to the Land of Israel and Joshua's conquest on the other.

2. Purim Special - The Culture of Shushan

   Cultural and Historical Challenges of the Megilla Story

   Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 54 minutes

   In this shiur, we analyze two layers of the story of Megillat Esther: Events didn't occur in a vacuum, but as part of cultural struggles and historical challenges.  As we examine the historical and cultural contexts of the story, we find that there is structure to the megilla supported by the numerous feasts in the story. These parties become an icon for a problematic type of multiculturalism: Shushan lacks a shared ethic or value system, so it unites in valuing and celebrating money and the power of wealth above all else. The overlooked letter-carriers in the Megilla help to highlight the flaws of this misplaced value system. 
    

3. Megillat Esther: Establishing Purim as a Holiday

   Erev Shabbat Excerpts - Pekudei

   Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 17 minutes

   We delve into the end of Megillat Esther and examine the tension in establishing Purim as a holiday. What does it mean that Mordekhai is accepted by "most of" his brethren? What is happening when Mordekhai and Esther repeatedly send out the "letters of Purim?" How does Purim fit in with the prohibition to add to the Torah?  What is going on with the Jewish people when Purim is first established, and how does that affect their reaction to Mordekhai and Esther?