Yearn To Learn
Rebbe Yehuda HaNasi would temporarily shut down his yeshiva on Purim so that his students could go to a shul and listen to the Megillah.
Seder Moed · dafim 2–32
Megillah
Finished January 13, 2022 in this cycle. 10 articles, 8 stories
Map of the dafim
Articles, in daf order
Mishloach Manos From Rebbi to Talmid
A friend of mine, who earned his CPA a few years ago, told me about his recent dilemma. He was looking for an accounting job starting in the fall, so he applied for a job at several firms.
Ta’anis In Teves
Now that Chanukah is over, we turn our attention to the somber day of Asarah B’Teves, a community-wide fast. Nevuchadnezar laid siege to Jerusalem on the tenth of Teves.
Hallel On Purim: The Whole Megillah
Is Hallel recited on Purim? Of course not; it’s that simple! Or is it? The Gemara in Megillah (14a) tells us that the sages were motivated to institute the reading of the Megillah from the laws of Pesach.
Royal Motives
One of the reasons we have a Purim seudah is to commemorate the parties that Esther made, to which she invited Achashverosh and Haman.
When Purim Was on Pesach
Although the events of the Purim story transpired over a lengthy period of time, the main action occurred over a few days. The Megillah specifically states that Haman’s letters stating that the Jewish nation should be…
Our Better Halves
The second perek of Maseches Megillah starts by discussing the laws of someone who read the Megillah l’mafreiah. If someone read the Megillah out of order, he has not fulfilled his obligation.
A Rosh Chodesh Holiday
Some people always looking for creative excuses for failing to show up for work or completing their projects. The wicked Haman told Achashveirosh that the Jews are always saying that they are too busy for work.
Another Repeat
In some yeshivos and shuls there is a custom that certain kibbudim on Simchas Torah are sold not for money, but rather for commitments to learn Torah.
Don’t Talk, Just Daven
After Shacharis in shul, some have the custom to put out “tikkun”: liquor, herring, and cake for breakfast, in memory of a loved one. It is always fascinating to watch people drinking a l’chaim on an empty stomach.
Stories in Megillah
Rav Moshe Feinstein and the Torah Picture Book
Asked via Rav Shach whether Chinuch Atzmai should fund a picture book on the Torah, Rav Moshe Feinstein said no: children must learn to use their minds.
Why Rav Henoch Leibowitz's Shiurim Were Hard
Rav Henoch Leibowitz compared teaching to coaxing an infant to walk; when a student cheekily asked if that is why his shiurim were hard, he just smiled.
Rabbi Yehudah Nesiah's Mishloach Manos
On Purim Rabbi Yehudah Nesiah sends Rabbi Oshaya a calf's thigh and wine, and Rabbi Oshaya replies that his teacher has fulfilled mishloach manos.
King Ptolemy and the Seventy-Two Elders
King Ptolemy locks 72 sages in separate rooms and orders each to translate the Torah into Greek. Miraculously, all make the very same changes.
The Angels Who Brought Down Haman
Angels give Esther charm, uproot Achashverosh's trees in Haman's name and push Haman onto Esther's couch, until Charvonah urges the king to hang him.
Haman Finds Mordechai Teaching Kemitzah
Haman comes to lead Mordechai through the streets and finds him teaching his students the laws of kemitzah of the Omer, on the 16th of Nissan.
Hashem Silences the Angels at the Yam Suf
As the Egyptians drown in the Yam Suf, the angels want to sing shirah, but Hashem stops them: 'My creations are drowning and you sing?'
Mordechai Kicks Haman
Climbing onto Haman to mount the royal horse, Mordechai kicks him; Haman protests 'Don't rejoice at your enemy's fall,' and Mordechai has a sharp reply.