by Jonathan Gordon | Dec 31, 2014
When read for the first time, the story of Purim looks just like any other story with a happy ending; a chain of coincidences changing the imminent destruction of the Jewish people into the defeat of the enemy and the beginning of the redemption process which...
by Rabbi Yisrael Krengel | Dec 31, 2014
Rav Yisrael Krengel Former Rosh Kollel Johannesburg (2002-3) Purim is definitely one of the most enjoyable Jewish Holidays. People all ages can easily get into the spirit of partying and fun. This day, however, at the same time is laden with powerful messages...
by Rabbi Moshe Aberman | Dec 31, 2014
Rav Moshe Aberman Former Rosh Kollel in Chicago This coming Thursday will be the Fast of Estherknown in Halacha as Taanit Esther. This fast poses several questions. First, we must try to understand what is the basis for Taanit Esther. We know of Yom Kippur,...
by Liat Jackman | Dec 31, 2014
No holiday has a woman play so central a role as Esther does in Purim. Not only is she the main heroine, we also call the scroll we read Megilat Esther. It could easily have been called Megilat Mordechai or Megilat Purim. Given that her name was chosen, it is worth...
by Yael Plaskow | Dec 31, 2014
In considering the episode of the golden calf, we are ever and again faced with the same difficult question: how are we to understand such a descent from the loftiest heights to the lowest depths? How could it be that the generation of the exodus from Egypt, who but...
by Shmuel Shattach | Dec 31, 2014
Parashat Para, as well as the other parashiyot, deals with the tamei, the impure, contrasted with the tahor, the pure. Thetamei is that which is connected to death. The Torah distances man from death, forbidding involvement with the dead, and demanding purification of...
by Yedidya Bejell | Dec 31, 2014
Yedidya Bijel Former Shaliach in Chicago What was the reason for the decree of genocide? One question many may ask reading the entire story of the megilla is why did this happen and what does it come to tell us. Some would try to answer this simply because...
by Rabbi Baruch Plaskow | Dec 24, 2014
Halachah Mitzion with Rav Baruch Plaskow Rosh Kollel Montreal (2002-2007) This year, Purim falls on a Friday. The Kollel, as is its custom, is organizing a festive meal on Friday afternoon leading into Shabbat. I have been challenged as to the source of this minhag...
by Rabbi Yisrael Shachor | Dec 24, 2014
Can a person fulfill his obligation of Mishloach Manot (sending of food portions) and matanot laevyonim (gifts to the poor) by the sending of said items from America before Purim so that they arrive at their destination in Israel on Purim? One must separate the...
by Rabbi Yisrael Shachor | Dec 24, 2014
There is a broad discussion/debate in the Gemara and Poskim which of the two months of Adar is the primary one, while the other is merely an addition. Is the regular Adar the first one and the second Adar is the addition, and, therefore it should be called Adar...
