Purim 394 articles

Jewish Holidays

Purim commemorates our salvation from Haman. We read Megilat Esther, eat a festive meal, send mishloach manot (gifts) to friends and matanot l’evyonim (gifts to the poor)

The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part XV)
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part XV)
Why God and Eretz Yisrael are missing as themes, overuse of the word dat, the allusions to the Beit HaMikdash, and Megillat Esther as the anti-Tanach book. The OU’s Nach Yomi...
Mar 26, 2008
By Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part XIV)
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part XIV)
The Jews fight against their enemy. Esther comes to the king a 5th time but without the desperate plea of previous times. A description of the Purim holiday. The OU’s Nach...
Mar 26, 2008
By Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part XIII)
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part XIII)
The aftermath of Haman’s hanging, the giving over of the ring and Haman’s estate to Esther, and the new decree to counter the old decree and how it parallels it. The...
Mar 26, 2008
By Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part XII)
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part XII)
Esther finally reveals her request to the king. She shows she is on his side, against Haman, and not part of a coup. Then she frames Haman. The king’s reaction. The...
Mar 26, 2008
By Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part XI)
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part XI)
Esther’s scheme plays into Achashverosh’s insecurity, his suspicion of a plot, and Haman’s ego. This leads to the king’s insomnia & Haman attempting to get Mordechai hanged. The OU’s Nach Yomi presents...
Mar 26, 2008
By Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part X)
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part X)
Achashverosh must have assumed that Esther had a major request if she risks her life by coming to the king uninvited. Haman’s reaction & how it fits his personality. Why does Esther use...
Mar 26, 2008
By Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part IX)
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part IX)
Mordechai & Esther’s react to the decree. We are told of their back & forth in which Mordechai tells Esther it’s time to reveal her identity & take action by framing Haman. The OU’s...
Mar 19, 2008
By Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part VIII)
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part VIII)
Is the king just as interested as Haman in destroying the Jews? Did he know which meaning of the word “l’abed” Haman Meant? The disconnect between inside & outside palace. The...
Mar 19, 2008
By Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part VII)
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part VII)
Mordechai’s refusal to bow is presented as an affront to the king not to Haman. Why does Haman react the way he does? Why does Mordechai refuse to bow down? The...
Mar 19, 2008
By Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part VI)
The OU’s Nach Yomi: Megilat Esther (Part VI)
Bigtan & Teresh’s plot shows the king’s insecurity is real. How does Mordechai get his inside info. If the King is insecure why would he make everyone bow to Haman? The...
Mar 19, 2008
By Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

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