Articles in Purim
Tetzaveh Purim: The Connection
The Jew and the Olive
The first verse of our Parsha reads, “And you (Moshe) shall instruct the children of Israel and they shall take olive oil to you.” Why must we take our olive oil to Moshe?
Purim: A Basic Overview
The Story
Purim is the
holiday in which the miracle of Mordechai and Esther is celebrated. In
the year 3405 (about 350 BCE) a majority of the Jewish nation lived in
Persia. King Achashverush, spurred on by his advisor Haman, decreed
that the entire Jewish nation be executed on the Thirteenth day of the
Hebrew month …
Purim: The Meaning of Masquerade
The Purim Ritual
Each Jewish holiday has a unique method of celebration. Chanukah is celebrated with the kindling of eight lights. Passover is celebrated with a special diet that requires Jews to eat unleavened bread and prohibits the use of leavened bread. Shavuot is observed through the study of Torah. Each …
Passover & Purim: Is there a Connection?
Diametric Opposites
We have recently celebrated the holiday of Purim and are currently preparing for the holiday of Pesach – Passover. These two holidays are not only different from each other they are almost antithetical to one another.
Purim : The Inebriated State
Holiday Revelry
My earliest Purim memories are joyous. Festive gatherings and celebrations were held in the synagogues while jubilation and dancing dominated the streets. Young and old, rich and poor, celebrated side by
side; jovial, reveling and genuinely happy.
Rabba’s Astonishing Purim
The Party
The Talmud relates a Purim story that at first glance seems astonishing. The great sage Rabba invited his contemporary Reb Zeira for the Purim Feast. During the course of dinner, intoxicated by wine, Rabba rose and slaughtered Reb Zeira. In the morning, Rabba prayed for a miracle and Reb …
