Purim
נמצאו 20 תוצאות חיפוש
Stages of Acceptance of the Festival
Chapter 9
Prof. Jonathan GrossmanThe detailed description of the process leading to the acceptance of Purim as a chag attests to the need to convince the public. Will Purim be celebrated on the 14th or 15th of Adar? How should the day be marked and celebrated? We will examine the various stages of accepting the holiday as described in the Megillah.
Stages of Acceptance of the Festival (continued)
Prof. Jonathan GrossmanShould 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.
Battling Empires and Battling Devils: Shmuel, Rav Chiya and Rebbi Yitzchak
Chazal's Preambles to Megillat Esther: Part 1
Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 17 דקותThis short series looks at Chazal’s introductions to the Book of Esther. What is the real miracle of Purim? Although Israel has betrayed God and are exiled from their land—God will not abandon them. Purim is a template for Jewish History, and contains the first real instance of antisemitism. But just as the commemorations of Purim will never be abolished, the Jewish people will never be destroyed, and the covenant will never be nullified.
A Tale of Two Cities: Chanina bar Ada
Chazal's Preambles to Megillat Esther: Part 2
Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 17 דקותWhat’s wrong with enjoying Achashverosh’s feast? While the Jews of Persia spent 180 days partying, the Jews who had returned to the Land of Israel were fighting for their lives and were trying to build the Beit HaMikdash. The Persian Jews had distanced themselves from the destiny of the future of Am Yisrael, enjoying lavish feasts while ignoring Jewish history. The Persian Jews needed a jarring reminder of their collective identity and national destiny, and this came in the form of Haman’s edicts.
In the Market for Genocide - Dispatchers of Dread
Chazal's Preambles to Megillat Esther: Part 3
Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 17 דקותThis shiur examines the significance of dispatching letters - a newly implemented advancement for a vast empire - and the fear experienced by the Jews after hearing Haman's edict of destruction. The fear is immediate—and the dread gradually builds up, as the people have to wait months for the day of their impending doom. There is a sickening feeling as the advanced technology of the day is being used against them.
Suddenly - Sinister Sales and Societal Values
Chazal's Preambles to Megillat Esther: Part 4
Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 18 דקותWhy do Chazal characterize Achashverosh as "the first of the sellers" and Haman as "the first of the purchasers"? How is this reflective of Haman's evil displayed in the megilla? Market forces are used by Haman and Achashverosh to sell the Jewish people to their death. A deeper message that emerges is that Jews must be indignant when injustice takes place, and must not be part of a value system which idolizes wealth.
Bears, Culture Wars, and Historical Movement
Chazal's Preambles to Megillat Esther: Part 5
Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 28 דקותWhy does Reish Lakish compare the Persian Empire to a bear? He uses imagery from Daniel's apocalyptic dreams to send a deeper message about Purim within Jewish history. Bnei Yisrael must understand that history can accelerate—there are historical opportunities, though not always maximized. More than a face-off with Haman, the Jews must struggle against a culture and empire which attempts to control without a moral spirit.
A Better Smell and a Better World
Chazal's Preambles to Megillat Esther: Part 6
Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 23 דקותPesukim about shrubbery in Yeshayahu are interpreted as symbolizing Esther, Vashti, Mordechai, and Haman. Is Vashti evil? Why does she appear here? The symbolism in Yeshayahu suggests tangible, objective improvement. In addition to justice against the would-be destroyers of the Jewish people and Temple, the triumph of the righteous heroes cause an objective improvement to society at large.
Purim's Significance a Few Years Later: The Return to Zion
Chazal's Preambles to Megillat Esther: Part 7
Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 17 דקותThis shiur explores linguistic and thematic parallels between Megillat Esther and the Book of Ezra. The two texts share similar events, motifs, and apparatus of recovery in situations of crisis - perhaps most significantly that of fasting. Ezra's confessional prayer seems to suggest that he derives inspiration and hope from God's Hand which, while hidden, is ever-present, as in the events of Megillat Esther.
Learning How to Daven From Nineveh
Chazal's Preambles to Megillat Esther: Part 8
Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 17 דקותThis shiur highlights the significance of Tefilla in the Megilla. The strength of prayer, exemplified by the gathering and fasting of the Jews, is such that prayer can affect Divine will—and therefore choices are crucial. The megilla helps repair the lack of focus on Tefilla in pre-exilic times, and paves the way for a greater centrality of Tefilla in Jewish life.
Mordechai and Esther
Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein | שעה ו- 8 דקותWhat makes Purim a special yom tov and why is it a day of festivity and celebration? Why is Purim unique as opposed to other days of Jewish salvation? Why is the megilla called Megillat Esther and not Megillat Mordechai? A close examination of the Purim story within its historical context provides answers to these questions, by understanding Purim as a celebration of the renewal of the covenant between Israel and God.
Purim Special - The Culture of Shushan
Cultural and Historical Challenges of the Megilla Story
Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 54 דקותIn 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.
The Importance of Fraternity: Parashat Mikeitz and the Story of Haman
Rabbi David SilverbergOverview of Megillat Esther
Gina Junger | שעה ו- 40 דקותWho is the author of Megillat Esther? What is the purpose of the Megilla, and why was it included in the Tanakh? This lecture places Megillat Esther within historical context and presents an overview of the structure and story. Through a close exploration of the text we notice a subtle but important message to the Jews living in Persia, and note its relevance throughout history and in present times as well.
Short Thoughts on Esther's Call for a Fast
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 4 דקותWhat does it mean to collect everyone who is found in Shushan (for Esther’s fast)? Shushan was metropolis hub where people came as individuals. People were not “from” Shushan- it was not a hometown for many. Esther wanted the Jewish people to emerge from their bubbles and fast as a community. Only as a community can we emerge from a communal crisis.
Amalek - Overview
HaTanakh.com StaffTeruma, Shekalim, and Purim: Unity and the Half-Shekel
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 18 דקותTeruma and Shekalim deal with the instructions for the Mikdash (the Mishkan) –the apparent peak of avodat Hashem. Purim, which comes around this time, is the opposite of that spectrum: Jewish assimilation -only oming together because of a threat. Beginning with Parashat Shekalim, we explore the common denominator between these two extremes: appreciating what makes us similar. The half-hekel and the service of the Kohanim remind us that we are part of something greater. The half shekel needs something to complete it, and the purpose of the Kohanim is to represent Bnei Yisrael. At times, we need to be lowered from our high horses, and must remember that we are part of a greater whole.
Purim: Hope After Despair
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 20 דקותIn this shiur, we focus on Purim and Megillat Esther, with a closer look at the backround and content of the first chapter of the Book of Esther. The Persian Jews were apparently living lives of decadence and assimilation, not considering following the lead of their contemporaries who were returning to Zion. Though the Diaspora Jews were faced with extinction by assimilation and then physical destruction, the situation was dramatically reversed. The source of happiness on Purim is hope - hope and triumph after despair.
Ki Tisa, Purim, and the Readiness for the Torah
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 18 דקותIn this shiur, we examine Ki Tisa and its connection to Purim. How could Bnei Yisrael commit the Sin of the Golden Calf so soon after Matan Torah? A midrash relates that God forced them to receive the Torah at that time, but that centuries later, during the rule of Ahashverosh, the people accepted the Torah of their own free will. What does it mean that they were "forced?" We consider the idea that Bnei Yisrael needed more time to become ready to receive the Torah.
Megillat Esther: Establishing Purim as a Holiday
Erev Shabbat Excerpts - Pekudei
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 17 דקותWe 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?