The story of the Megillah covers several years of the reign of King Ahasuerus, but concentrates on the single year of the plot against the Jews, and the reversal of the planned genocide. Nevertheless, it would seem like an overemphasis on a thin...
Let's have a look at the laws of Purim.
1. Reading the Megillah, or hearing it read. Although this is not mentioned in the Megillah itself, this was an enactment of the ancient Sanhedrin. We recount the miracle with the reading of the story...
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov gives us a unique picture of the meaning of Purim. First, it is important to remember that Rabbi Nachman's teachings are the most convert friendly of any Jewish approach. Many would disagree with these teachings, but I...
The Davidic Kingdom came to an end with the destruction of Jerusalem, and the exile of her people, in the Sixth Century BCE. The belief in the eventual restoration of that Kingdom persisted, and persists to this day. Families with known connection...
The Sanhedrin was probably the primary religious institution in Ancient Israel, second only to the Temple. The Torah (Deut.17:8-13) gives the Sanhedrin full authority not only over judicial matters, but to interpret the text authoritatively, and...
The incident of Rabbi Eliezer's rejection of a decision of the Sanhedrin, resulted in essentially ending the career of one of the best and brightest Talmudic figures, but the Sanhedrin's authority was certainly enhanced. There were to be two...
One year after the incident involving the calendar, another event took place that was to change the course of Jewish history. Rabban Gamliel was anxious to put prayer in a more central place, especially as the Temple and sacrifice no longer...
The day that Rabbi Elazar be Azariyah became the Nasi was a most special one. The meeting chamber was filled with scholars, and questions of every kind were raised. None went unanswered. We often find the expression in Talmudic discussions; "It...
The stories of the political and religious struggles of Rabban Gamliel's reign as Nasi, both made and broke several precedents, which resulted in controversy and compromise. We have been the richer for them, and they have almost always served as...
Every group has its folklore. Jews are no exception. However, we are presented with a difficulty in discussing this, as Ashkenazic tradition has placed a huge value on all aspects of tradition, especially if the traditional story has been...
As I have so often mentioned, there were huge differences between the Talmud Yerushalmi and the Talmud Bavli in both practicum and outlook. Even when the rulings of the Bavli became standard, the Yerushalmi left its imprint on many communities,...
Jewish suffering at the hands of Christendom was a given from at least the time of Constantine. Stories of Jews being martyred always gave pride and hope. If there was Divine retribution against the perpetrators, so much the better for the...
Every year at Hannuka time, someone posts online "segulot" for Hannuka. A "segulah" (literally, a treasure) is an action which has a positive effect, with no rational reason behind it. There are many segulot listed in the Talmud, as well as...
An area that has been controversial for over a thousand years, is the medical and scientific information in the Talmud. As I have pointed out in previous posts, there are some who regard the Talmud as a revealed work in its entirety, dictated to...
One of the most tragic periods in Jewish History was the era of the Crusades (1095-1291). Populations were smaller then, but proportionately, it was the equivalent of the Holocaust, with fully one third of world Jewry wiped out. A "slight"...
