Search Results for: Purim

THE INTRIGUING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HAMAN AND MORDECHAI

Megillat Esther seems, on the face of it, to be very straightforward. It records a narrative that flows neatly from beginning to end, telling a story of palace intrigue and political shenanigans, an ‘almost’ tragedy that has a happy ending. Well, not quite to the end. The last chapter – just 3 pesukim – describes … Continue reading “THE INTRIGUING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HAMAN AND MORDECHAI”

HAPPINESS IS CRUCIAL IN THE MONTH OF ADAR

Everyone knows we have to be joyful in Adar: “Mi’shenichnas Adar Marbin be’simcha”. But what does this actually mean? Is it halacha (Jewish law), or is it just a suggestion? Are there any practical ramifications, and if so what are they? In a leap year, does the instruction to be joyful only apply to the … Continue reading “HAPPINESS IS CRUCIAL IN THE MONTH OF ADAR”

THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WAR AGAINST AMALEK

This past week we found out a whole bunch of information about Steven Sotloff, the American journalist executed by ISIS, that had been deliberately kept from us. We discovered that he was Jewish, part of a wonderful Jewish family from Miami, and the grandson of Holocaust survivors. We discovered he had studied in Israel, and … Continue reading “THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WAR AGAINST AMALEK”

FAITH IS CONTINGENT ON DOUBT

The very intriguing aspect of the Purim story, and the principle feature that differentiates it from other Bible narratives, is its total lack of, or seeming lack of, Divine involvement. The events leading up to the salvation we celebrate on Purim seem, on the face of it, a totally random, if somewhat lucky, series of … Continue reading “FAITH IS CONTINGENT ON DOUBT”