And when Haman saw that Mordechai bowed not down, nor prostrated himself before him, then Haman was full of wrath.  But it seemed contemptible in his eyes to lay hands on Mordechai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordechai.  And Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout […]

Therefore, when one conducts a meal on this night, he is required to eat and to drink while reclining in the manner of a free person. Every person – man and woman – is obligated to drink on this night four cups of wine.  One should not diminish from them. Even a poor person who […]

O how has the city that was once so populous remained lonely! She has become like a widow! She that was great among the nations, a princess among the provinces, has become tributary.  (Megilat Eichah 1:1) Hashem’s bewilderment over the destruction of Jerusalem Our Sages attribute the authorship of Megilat Eichah to the prophet Yirmiyahu […]

During the second Temple when the Hellenists ruled, they made decrees against Israel and suppressed their religion. They did not allow them to study Torah and perform the mitzvot.  They seized their wealth and their daughters. They entered the Sanctuary, made many breaches in it and defiled that which was sanctified.  Israel was greatly afflicted […]

It is a positive commandment of the Torah to recount the miracles and wonders that occurred to our fathers on the night of the fifteenth of Nisan as it says: Remember this day that I took you forth from Egypt. (This should be understood in a manner) similar to that which it says: Remember the […]

And it was in the days of Achashverosh – the Achashverosh who ruled from Hodu to Kush – one hundred and twenty provinces. (Megilat Esther 1:1) 1.     The messages of the Megilah story The story related in Megilat Esther is constructed around the interplay between four personalities.  Mordechai and Esther are the hero and […]

In succot you should dwell for seven days… (Sefer VaYikra 23:42)

Among the characteristics of repentance is for the repentant individual to constantly call out before Hashem tearfully and with petitions. One should give charity according to one’s capacity. One should distance oneself from one’s sinful behavior… (Maimonides, Laws of Repentance 2:4) 1. Behaviors associated with teshuvah Maimonides explains that the process of teshuvah – repentance […]

Torah and the Land of Israel These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael, on the far-side of the Jordan, in the wilderness, on the plain opposite Suf, between Tofel, Laval, Chatzerot and Di Zahav. (Sefer Devarim 1:1) 1. Divergent interpretation of Sefer Devarim’s first passage Sefer Devarim is a record of Moshe’s […]

And Moshe said to the nation: Remember this day that you went forth from Egypt, from the house of bondage – for with a mighty hand Hashem took you forth from this. Leaven products should not be eaten. (Shemot 13:3) 1. A biblical source for the commandment of Sipur In this passage, Moshe instructs the […]