Unmasking Evil: Is Haman the Only Villain of the Purim Story?
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Purim is a joyous holiday that celebrates the saving of the Jews from a threatened massacre in ancient Persia.
The megillah reading, mishloach manot and more
There are many unique aspects to the biblical book that tells the Purim story.
In 2024, Purim begins at sunset on Saturday, March 23.
The Scroll of Esther, which tells the Purim story, is chanted in synagogue twice on Purim.
From Esther’s vegetarianism to the Jewish leap year, things that might surprise you.
Instructions for constructing a Purim noisemaker
The fast that precedes the holiday of Purim.
Eat, drink, and be merry is not without controversy.
The rabbis imagined the Bible’s Vashti as both evil villain and tragic heroine.
In this Torah portion, God describes the laws of animal sacrifice. God explains the different sacrifices that atone for guilt or sins, and distinguishes between sins committed inadvertently and sins committed on purpose.
Torah Reading
Leviticus 1:1-5:26; Deuteronomy 25:17-19
Haftarah
Shabbat Zachor: I Samuel 15:1-34
Featured Commentary
This Torah portion teaches that it’s better to give than receive.
Hosted by: My Jewish Learning
Hosted by: My Jewish Learning
Hosted by: My Jewish Learning
Returning a lost get.
Lost and found.
Deny and deflect.
“Truly, you are where your mind is,” taught the Baal Shem Tov.
The Hasidic prayer practice of hitbodedut — talking to God freely in one’s native tongue — helps to build intimacy over time.
Hasidic philosophy on how to eat “for the sake of heaven.”
The sea of Sabbath rules and restrictions can be overwhelming. Here’s how to experience them as joy and freedom.
Jewish tradition is replete with legends both uplifting and ominous about the vernal equinox.
The Israelite women who contributed to the tabernacle recognized the deeper gift God had given in the lengthy, exacting instructions for its construction.
The Torah commands us to remember the evil of Amalek — but also to forget.
Asenath Barazani (also spelled Asnat or Osnat) led a yeshiva in 17th century Kurdistan.
A former Soviet dissident, Sharansky spent nine years in prison and became the face of the movement to free Jews living under communism.
From cabal to camel, a list of English words that derive from Hebrew.
Dreaming was a major source of prophetic insight in the Torah, but Jewish texts also betray a certain anxiety about dreaming.