Live @ Drisha: Purim

Using midrashim and other forms of exegesis, speaker Wendy Amsellem explores the women’s centrality within the drama of the Purim story, including how they are portrayed separately and as foils to one another.

Becoming a covenantal people involves choosing who will be in the group and who will be out. Not surprisingly this results in an interest in group boundaries and anxiety about blurring those lines. This is one in a series of classes. Go to www.drisha.org/podcast/purim to hear the others.

We will look at the snake in the Garden of Eden and compare him to Amalek.

We will explore the role of the Book of Esther in Tanakh, with emphasis on lexical and thematic parallels to other biblical stories. Drawing upon observations both ancient and modern, the course pays special attention to the tribe of Benjamin and its relationship to royalty, seeking to uncover hidden meanings in the text of the Megillah. This is one in a series of classes. Go to www.drisha.org/podcast/purim to hear the others.

There is a famous discrepancy between the years of the Second Temple Period according to Classic History (585 years) and according to Hazal (420 years). We will suggest a solution for this discrepancy, based on the prophetic purpose of the biblical books that discuss this time period, and the exegetic approach of Hazal. We will also discuss how this approach helps explain how and why Hazal identify Esther as the mother of King Darius, who allowed the Jews to rebuild the Second Temple.

Is the prophetic message of Megillat Esther timeless, or does its author assume that the reader is familiar with 'current events' as well as the relatively recent prophecies of Jeremiah and Zechariah? We will examine this issue to determine how it may affect, and change, our very understanding of the basic message of one of the most popular books of the Bible.

The rabbinic interpretation of Megillat Esther adds many layers to the narrative of Queen Esther, including the love triangle between Esther, Achashverosh and Mordechai. We will learn these midrashim and seek to understand the rabbinic motivation to develop this romantic plot twist. We will explore the rabbinic model of female leadership and the questions surrounding the relationship between the female and male hero of the tale.

David Silber discusses the significance of Ta'anit Esther and the ways in which we celebrate Purim.

The goal of this session is to provide an opportunity for different members of families to learn with each other, study sources together, and benefit from an interactive shiur with a dynamic young scholar. Part of the Family Morning of Learning sponsored, in part, by Rella Feldman and family.

Dr. Aaron Koller and Rabbi David Silber in conversation about the Book of Esther. Part of the Family Morning of Learning sponsored, in part, by Rella Feldman and family.

We will will review the four mitzvot of Purim - megillah, mishloach manot, matanot le-evyonim (gifts to the poor), and the festive meal, as well as various folk practices that accrued to the holiday overtime (including dressing up, "Purim Torah," and many others). In addition to outlining the basics of the laws, we will attempt to understand what basic themes and values run through the various laws and practices, and what they tell us about the meaning of Purim. This is one in a series of classes. Go to www.drisha.org/podcast/purim to hear the others.

A central observance of Chanuka is the recitation of Hallel on all eight days; on Purim Hallel is not recited. We will study the significance of this distinction.

The observance of Purim centers around the Megillah, which becomes part of the canon. Chanuka, by contrast, focuses on the lighting of the candles, a Temple ritual. We will discuss the implications of each.