Audio 1549 articles

In both phase 1 and phase 2 of defeating Haman (fasting/praying and battling their enemies) there is an emphasis on gathering together. Taanit Esther commemorates both these events. The Maharal explains...

The mitzvot of Purim apply during the day, megillah is an exception due to a drasha in the Gemara. What are the requirements for the Purim seudah?

The Sefat Emet says that each of the 3 regalim has a parallel. Purim (when we willingly accepted the Torah) parallels Shavuot (when we were forced to accept the Torah). L’Ilui...

A careful reading of the 4th chapter shows how the events in this chapter shed light on the other events in the Megillah.

Why is Tu B’Shevat the new year for trees, not for the fruit itself? A tree is the most efficient “machine” – it yields virtually no waste; it is also one...

Tu b’Shevat tells us what in year a tree’s produce falls. This has legal ramifications but what does the holiday mean for mankind?

2 reasons are given for the fast of Asarah B’Tevet: 1 – because the siege of Jerusalem began and 2 –  because the Torah was translated. Why does the beginning of the...

The miracle of the oil isn’t mentioned in any historical text & isn’t mentioned in Megilat Taanit as a reason for Chanukah. The Gemara, however mentions it. Why the discrepancy?

From this point in the dialog and onward, R’ Yehoshua & the Elders of Athens talk in metaphors that can never exist. Why does the nature of the dialog switch? Jerusalem...

The elders asked R Yehoshua: A man lent money to someone and didn’t repay the loan & he got some repayment. Why did he loan the person money again? Jerusalem vs....