Mordechai’s Tefillin
The initial disorientation was immediate. He had spent his life navigating the familiar geometry of the men’s section, dense clusters of seforim, well-worn shtenders, long tables etched with years of learning.
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Shabbos and Yom Tov
Purim
The Megillah, the mitzvos of Purim and the story of Esther.
Tumult Over Tadir
Shimon and Boruch had just closed their Gemaras after finishing the daf. Boruch leaned back with a grin. “Wow,” he said. “Today’s daf was incredible. We just learned tadir v’she’eino tadir, tadir kodem in Zevachim 89.
One Small Half-Step
Is the correct number three, as stated in the Gemara in Sanhedrin, or four, as stated in the Midrash? The Chofetz Chaim suggests that neither is entirely accurate.
Haman’s Sons in Bnei Brak
While ten of Haman’s sons met their fate by hanging – a real “family tree” if there ever was one – the Gemara in Megilla states that he actually had many more sons, maybe even over 200!
Should Mordechai Have Bowed to Haman?
In the bustling city of Shushan, two young boys, Eli and Daniel, raced through the crowded marketplace. “I heard Father say that Haman rides through the streets today,” Eli panted, his dark curls bouncing as he ran.
The Rechesh and Restlessness
What is the mysterious creature known as a Rechesh? At first glance, one might wonder how this relates to Bava Basra. However, Rav uses this enigmatic creature to clarify his position (152b).
One in a Million
The Rema’s cryptic comment, the final one in Ohr HaChaim, has sparked centuries of contemplation. He states, “Some say that one is obligated to increase in joy and feasting on the 14th of Adar I; however, this is not…
Drunk on Mitzvos
Those who study the daf will notice that the last word of Friday’s daf (Bava Metzia 23b) can be translated as “bed” or “Purim.” Rashi translates it as bed. The Maharsha says it means Purim.
Special Delivery
This article will touch on some issues regarding ordering food items from Amazon that will be delivered on Purim day. Does it qualify as mishloach manos?
Breaking Point
The Chasam Sofer says that studying Seder Nezikin can save a person from coming to harm, both physical and financial. If someone, chas v’shalom, has a harsh heavenly decree against him, that decree can be fulfilled by…
Of Giving and Receiving
Occasionally, it happens that a child may give someone mishloach manos and not receive anything in return. This may be because the intended recipient isn’t home, or they ran out of mishloach manos, or for some other…
No Monkeying Around
A rav once complained to the Divrei Yoel, the Satmar Rebbe, zt”l, about an affront to his honor: a child dressed up as a monkey had delivered his mishloach manos.
Days of Teshuva
Yom Kippur and Purim may seem like two very different holidays, but there is actually a deep connection between them. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a solemn occasion on which we fast and seek forgiveness for our…
An Exercise in Futility
The Bayside Canadian Railway is a 200 foot(!) railroad in Bayside, New Brunswick, Canada. The railway was designed to transport fish – frozen pollock, to be precise.
Leave the Rest to Hashem
The Mishna in Yevamos (49a) tells of a mysterious scroll found in Yerushalayim. The Gemara proceeds to enumerate the contents of the parchment.
Rav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, on Megillas Esther
HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, typically answers questions in a short, concise fashion. HaRav Zev Aryeh Steiglitz, shlita, had the opportunity to ask him many questions about Megillas Esther.
The Demise of Haman and His Sons
Haman and his sons made a cameo appearance in Tosfos this week. In fact, in various places in Shas, Tosfos makes cryptic references to Targum that discusses how Haman’s sons were hanged.
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…
Top-seeded Treat
The Kol Bo writes that there is a custom to eat zironim on Purim night. Zironim is commonly translated as legumes or seeds. The seeds are reminiscent of the food that Daniel, Chananya, Mishael, and Azariah ate when they…
What’s In A Name?
The Gemara in Megillah tells us that Memuchan, who is listed as one of Achashveirosh’s advisers, is Haman. The name Memuchan means prepared, as if to say he was prepared for punishment.
Purim Torah Rings True
There are some perplexing questions on the Megillah which perhaps may be explained by putting together various passages of Gemara. (1) Why did Esther invite Haman to the party with Achashveirosh?
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.
Not Above The Law
The Gemara has a fascinating discussion about miracles happening to ordinary individuals. A shepherd deserts his flock for a quick break. While he is gone, a wolf eats one of the sheep.
Understanding The Gravity Of The Situation
The Chasam Sofer says that studying Seder Nezikin can save a person from coming to harm, both physical and financial. If someone, chas v’shalom, has a harsh heavenly decree against him, that decree can be fulfilled by…
Converting Bad Into Good
The Gemara (Gittin 57b) says that Na’aman (commander of the armies of Aram) became a ger toshav; Nevuzaradan became a ger tzedek; Haman’s descendants learned Torah in Bnei Brak; Sisera’s descendants taught children in…
Nod If You’re Awake
Is it possible for someone to enjoy his meal in a perfectly kosher sukkah while simultaneously violating the injunction against eating a bread meal outside the sukkah on Sukkos?
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.
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.
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.
Standing Tall
What do Chanukah and Purim have to do with daf yomi Sukkah? Maseches Sukkah begins with the halachah that a sukkah that is taller than 20 amos (between 30 and 40 feet) is invalid.
Double Trouble
An acquaintance remarked that this year in Judaism is “the year of the cow.” I did not have the faintest idea of what he was talking about until he explained: “This is the year of two udders (Adars).” Since Purim is…
The Great Leap Forward
As a sign that a leap year is badly needed for the Jewish calendar this year, people point to the fact that the first Chanukah candles will be lit the night before Thanksgiving.
A Time To Learn
Recently, a news organization decided it would be interesting to see if Major League Baseball players knew the rules of their game. They composed 10 questions about various scenarios.
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.
Gemara stories on Purim
Haman's Daughter and the Refuse
Thinking her father is leading Mordechai's horse, Haman's daughter pours refuse on the leader's head. It is Haman, and when she realizes, she jumps from the roof.
Rabbah and Rabbi Zeira at the Purim Seudah
At a Purim seudah Rabbah kills Rabbi Zeira, then davens and brings him back to life. The next year Rabbi Zeira declines: a miracle doesn't happen every day.
Haman's Gallows Beam from Noach's Ark
Haman chose a fifty-amah beam from Noach's ark, brought by his son Parshandasa, to hang Mordechai, yet in the end he and his sons were hanged on it.
Haman Sells Himself to Mordechai
Sent to war by Achashverosh, Haman squanders his funds and begs Mordechai for a loan, but must sell himself as Mordechai's slave instead, says the Midrash.