This email dedicated by:
Anonymous
In honor of my children Adar 13, 5772 · March 7, 2012 | Editor's Note:
| Dear readers, While reading up on Purim, the historical context of the story suddenly hit me. After nearly 1,000 years in Israel, the Jews were living in exile. Assimilation was at an all-time high, morale at an all-time low. Most of the prophets were gone, and it remained questionable whether Judaism could survive without a Temple at its nucleus. When Haman wickedly plotted to wipe out all Jews, there was a simple way out: assimilate into Persian culture and be spared. There were no prophets to rebuke them, no miracles to inspire them. And yet, the Jews rallied behind Mordechai and stayed loyal to G‑d. It was a pivotal moment in Jewish history. They decided, on their own terms, that they would live as Jews. And G‑d saved them. "Why be Jewish?" is a question so many ask today. And our answer must go beyond—and give greater depth to—words like "tradition," "history," "culture." We must live Jewishly in a way that is uniquely relevant to us. Through deepening our Jewish understanding and observance, we each become the next link in the chain that began at Sinai and will lead us to Moshiach and the era of universal perfection. We did it once, and we will do it again. Happy Purim! Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar,
Responder for Ask the Rabbi @ Chabad.org |
 |  | | Purim Essentials | | | A printable booklet outlining the laws and customs of Purim, along with pre- and post-Purim observances.
|  |  | | | The original text of the Megillah (Book of Esther) with a running commentary culled from the Talmud and Midrash, the great Torah commentators and the chassidic masters.
By Yosef Marcus |  | | | | Why was the fast instituted? Why is it called the Fast of Esther? What does fasting accomplish?
From the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson | | | | | All cities that were walled when the Israelites entered Canaan observe Purim a day after everyone else. (This results in the occasional phenomenon of a three-day Purim.)
By Naftali Silberberg | | | | Purim Fun | | | With Passover and Purim around the corner, we thought it would be appropriate to devote this week's segment to the question, "What Is a Miracle?"
By Moshe Parelman | | | | | Instead of probing into prominent people's privacies, I would pursue celebrities like Ahasuerus and Vashti of Persia.
By Israel Rubin | | | | | Visit a kosher bakery just before Purim as thousands of hamantashen—the preferred Purim treat—are prepared, and see what goes into making these delectable delights. | | | | | Portions of the scroll of Esther, translated, animated and explained in English with a humorous take. | | | | Purim Insights | | | Four reaons for the age-old custom of masquerading on Purim.
By Dovid Zaklikowski | | | | | Mordechai's and Esther's roles in the Pand how they influenced the writing and canonization of the megillah scroll. By Moshe New | | | | | A deeper look at how we relate to our Jewish identity. By Lazer Gurkow | | | | | Believe it or not, my children love to eat salad and other healthy goodies. How does this relate to Purim?
By Elana Mizrahi | | | | | It is that essential, quintessential, burning question that we always ask ourselves: Who am I?
By Sara Esther Crispe | | | | Purim Memories | | | The community was in an uproar. How had they allowed such an accomplished scholar to be disdained in their midst, and to labor as a mere water-carrier for so many years?
By Yerachmiel Tilles | | | | | I walked sedately from the auditorium, keeping my eyes straight ahead, though I could not see where my steps took me for the hot tears escaping down my flushed cheeks.
By Miriam Shapiro | | | | | She had to visit the king. But how could she? She hadn't seen the king in recent days, and who knows what his mood would be?
By Srolic Barber | | | | Ki Tisa: Forgiveness is Born | | | It's all there in this week's Torah reading: the golden calf, the broken tablets and the second set of tablets.
| | | | | Between planning and building the temple, we'll discuss tablet smashing, idolatry, adultery, and a bunch of other fiascos!
By Levi Avtzon | | | | | When one partner betrays the other, for reconciliation to occur, each must feel that "we are so connected that you mean more to me than whatever it was that you did." By Chana Weisberg | | | | | How does the half-shekel donation rectify the masculine aspect of the soul? Why do we have ten fingers and ten toes? By Chaim Miller | | | | | It's all there: the underpinnings of creation, the saga of human struggle, and the ultimate triumph which arises from the imperfections and failings of man—all played out in four months . . .
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe | | | | | Is G‑d so petty as to require an apology before forgiving? Can He not tolerate vicissitude in those He created?
By Lazer Gurkow | | | | | One Friday the Baal Shem Tov arrived in town for Shabbat, unannounced and unexpected . . .
By Yerachmiel Tilles | | | | | |
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