Reading the Megillah from the Perspective of the Rambam’s...
Adar, Purim and the Joy of Being a Jew
As Adar Begins … One of the most beloved of all our halachot is, “When Adar arrives, we increase simcha, joy.” Without a doubt, there is a unique quality to the...
Mishloach Manot: The Machloket Terumat Hadeshen and Manot HaLevi…Plus...
What if Reuven sends Shimon Mishloach Manot and Shimon refuses it, does Reuven fulfill his obligation? The Rama says he is yotzei. Why is he yotzei – he hasn’t given anything...
Who Wrote Megillat Esther? The Sharp Analysis of the...
The Megillah itself says that Esther and Mordechai wrote Megillat Esther; the gemara says it was written by Anshei Knesset HaGedolah. Which one is correct? Download the mekorot Shiur provided courtesy...
The Half Shekel and the Shekalim of Haman: What...
There were two half-shekel offerings: a one-time donation (for the building of the mishkan) and the annual half shekel (for korbanot) – building fund vs. operating budget. Why was there an...
The Real Story of Purim
The Purim story is the last time when all the Jews lived under one empire. Normally when there is a war against one enemy we celebrate victory on one day, if...
“The Purim Story”: When did it Really Happen? Four...
The year of Purim was a leap year as is alluded to in the Megillah. In which month did Haman decree to kill the Jews? If so, then there should be no...
Purim Katan: Emunah & Simcha
Purim Katan: Even Greater Than Purim? The Electrifying Revelation...
The Rama quotes the Tur who writes that those who are machmir increase in seudah on Purim Katan and ends off Orach Chaim with the verse “וטוב לב משתה תמיד” –...
Calendar Conundrums: Halachic Insights into Adar Alef and Bet
Which is the real Adar? This affects when to celebrate Purim, when to observe a yahrtzeit, and when a child becomes bar/bat mitzvah. Why is Adar always the added month? Do...
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- Asarah B'Tevet
- Birchat HaChama
- Chanukah
- Elul
- Fast of Esther
- Fast of Shiva Asar B'Tammuz
- Fast of Tisha B'Av
- Four Shabbatot
- Hoshanah Rabbah
- Lag BaOmer
- Months
- Passover
- Pesach Sheini
- Purim
- Rosh Hashanah
- Sefirat HaOmer
- Shabbat
- Shavuot
- Shemini Atzeret
- Shushan Purim
- Simchat Torah
- Sukkot
- The Three Weeks
- Tu B'Av
- Tu B'Shevat
- Tzom Gedaliah
- Yom HaAtzmaut
- Yom HaShoah
- Yom Hazikaron
- Yom Kippur
- Yom Yerushalayim
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