Purim 394 articles

In the next part of the megillah we are introduced to Esther, the heroine of the story. We are told of Mordechai’s relationship to her, & to what extent he has influence over...

In the megillah crisis leads to resolution leads to crisis. Achashverosh is portrayed as never taking responsibility or making decisions. At this point in the megillah we meet Mordechai. The OU’s...

Achashverosh’s insecurity as ruler manifests itself in the way he reacts when, at the culmination of his long party, Vashti refuses to make an appearance. The OU’s Nach Yomi presents Rabbi Yitzchak...

Several examples show that there seems to be a clear program on the part of the text’s editors to make sure Megillat Esther avoids direct mention of God’s name. The OU’s...

Rabbi Etshalom discusses the canonization of Esther, how chazal viewed the book, general issues of understanding the megillah, & takes a look at the opening section. The OU’s Nach Yomi presents...

In naming the holiday of Purim, we emphasize the pur, the lottery of Haman. What is the significance and how does it relate to the essence of Amalek?

The message of Purim is that we need to look at seemingly natural events with enough sensitivity to see the hand of God in “the miracles of the mundane”. Part one...

The very act of making Esther part of Tanach demonstrates that even seemingly natural events are really God’s hand.  This is implied in the name “Megillat Esther” –  literally “revealing that...

Mordechai was perplexed about why Esther was selected to become the queen…until Haman’s decree. Once Mordechai learns of the decree we are told that “Mordechai Yada” meaning that he understood what...

What does the Gemara mean when it says that at the time of the Purim story the Jews accepted the Torah willingly? How do the 4 mitzvot of Purim reflect this...