(The following is a small excerpt and a preview of the upcoming book I’ve written about Megillat Esther.) Let’s share some afterthoughts on Megillat Esther from a new perspective. While we read the Megillah as the true account of...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi. I love reading your column. I’m having an issue. I’m newly married and am having difficulty getting anything done. My wife calls me all the time to...
Many people are not familiar with the halachos of shaimos. The problem with the volume of shaimos, only developed fairly recently with the advent of cheap, commonly utilized printing methods. After reviewing these halachos one will have a clear understanding of...
Is a mourner, within a year for a parent or thirty days for another close relative, allowed to lead synagogue prayers on Purim? A man who is in mourning is expected to lead weekday prayers in the synagogue. Of...
It is well-known that Hashem is never mentioned explicitly in Megilat Ester. The omission of His Name is by design, as the story told in the Megilah appears to unfold randomly, with the events occurring coincidentally, as though...
Zevi Samet is a dynamic yeshiva student and celebrated basketball star whose journey is as inspiring off the court as it is on. He had an outstanding season with the...
One year, Reb Yeiva of Ostra’a wanted to be happy on Purim, but it was hard for him as he was struggling financially. A happy person arrived, they celebrated Purim together, and Reb Yeiva became joyful. Reb Yeiva said that this person...
WHAT TIME SHOULD I BEGIN THE PURIM SEUDA? The Rema writes that when Purim falls out on Erev Shabbat, it is preferable to begin the Purim seuda in the morning (before midday) so as not to...
Tradition teaches that Mordechai was a descendant of King Shaul, who lived centuries earlier and was the first king of Beneh Yisrael. As we read in Sefer Shemuel I (15), King Shaul had the kingship taken from...
“Though I walk through the valley overshadowed by death, I feel no harm, for You are with me.” (Tehillim 23:4) “Va’tilokach Esther, And Esther was taken”. (Esther 2:8). Esther was taken to the harem of...