Purim
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Reading the book of Esther Twice on Purim
Why is megillas Esther read twice? Answer: The Talmud in Tractate Megilla 4a states, in the name of Rabbi Joshua ben Levi, that we read megillas Esther both by day and night. Rashi ad locum comments that the reason for…
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Matanot La’evyonim – Giving to the Poor on Purim
My question is about giving to the poor on Purim. Now, I am fairly poor myself, and my family is having hard times as it is. Would it be appropriate to donate an item like food, clothing, or something else…
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Purim not Being Mentioned in the Torah
Why do we celebrate Purim when it isn’t mentioned in the Torah? Moses was commanded about many holidays, but not about the ones that celebrate events that occurred after his time, such as Chanukah and Purim. Both of these holidays…
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Amalek and the Messiah
I know that one of Moshiach’s (Messiah) tasks is to rid the world of the nation of Amalek. Up until recently I understood this to be a literal killing of a nation who has always been our arch enemy. Recently,…
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Purim for a Mourner
A dear friend lost his father a few months ago. I am aware that he is not to engage in anything celebratory for the following 11 months as part of the mourning customs. What is the story with Purim? Does…
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Intermarriage of Esther and Achashveirosh
How could Esther marry Achashveirosh, intermarrying with a non Jew? Why was Esther’s agreement to do seen favorably? Esther was in a situation where she had to act in order to save her people. She was not married, so it…
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Lots
Can you explain to me the Jewish custom of “casting lots?” I have heard it explained as anything from voting, to rolling dice. I have also found that it may have something to do with an allotment of smooth stones.…
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Special Haftorahs
Why do we have special haftarahs at this time of the year, like Parsha Parah? The Chafetz Chaim sums it up best in Mishna Berura 685:1: “Our sages decreed reading four special parshas a year from Rosh Chodesh Adar until…