Podcasts about megillat esther

Welcome to the Daily Dose of Bitachon. As we prepare for the month of Av— Erev Rosh Chodesh Av ( ערב ראש חודש אב )—we carry with us the concept we introduced back at the beginning of Tammuz: that each of the twelve months of the year corresponds to a unique spiritual force. Today, we will explore this deeply through the lens of the Sefer Yetzirah , an ancient Kabbalistic text attributed by many to Avraham Avinu, which outlines how the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet serve as the spiritual building blocks of reality. The division of these twenty-two letters is beautifully elegant. First, the Sefer Yetzirah points to the three "Mother" letters ( Imahot ): Aleph ( א ), Mem ( מ ), and Shin ( ש ). These represent the foundational elements of physical matter itself. Aleph stands for Avir (air), Mem stands for Mayim (water), and because the Aleph is already claimed, Shin stands for Esh (fire). Next are the seven "double" letters, known by the acronym Beged Kaporet ( בגד כפרת ): Bet, Gimmel, Dalet, Chaf, Peh, Reish, and Tav. In the Zohar, these are identified as the letters that can receive a dagesh (the internal emphasis dot). While our grammatical tradition generally does not place a dagesh in the letter Reish, Kabbalistically it is included. These seven double letters correspond to dimensions of time and space, such as the seven days of the week, the seven classical planets, and the seven spiritual gateways of the soul. Subtracting these ten letters—the three Mothers of matter and the seven Doubles of time—leaves us with the twelve "Simple" letters. These twelve remaining letters correspond directly to the twelve months of the year, creating a cosmic map where each month is animated by its own letter. Our Rabbis reveal an incredible connection here: these twelve simple letters correspond sequentially to the verses of Ashrei (Psalm 145), aligning the spiritual theme of each month with the corresponding verse. We begin with the letter Heh ( ה ), which corresponds to Nissan . The verse for Heh is Hadar kevod hodacha... ("the glory of your honor, and the words of your wonders, I will speak about"). As Rabbeinu Bachya notes in the name of Rabbeinu Chananel, this refers directly to the wonders of Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus), the central theme of Nissan. Following this is the letter Vav ( ו ) for Iyar . The Vav represents Vav Hachibur —the connecting "and"—which serves as the bridge linking the physical redemption of Nissan to the spiritual giving of the Torah in Sivan. Sivan is represented by the letter Zayin ( ז ), corresponding to the verse Zecher rav tuvcha yabiu... ("they shall utter the memory of Your great goodness"). In Jewish tradition, "good" ( Tov ) refers directly to the Torah, as we say, "I have given you a good acquisition, do not forsake My Torah." Then we reach the chidush , the deep spiritual renewal of our current season. The letter Chet ( ח ) belongs to Tammuz , which matches the verse Chanun verachum Hashem... ("Gracious and merciful is Hashem, slow to anger and great in kindness"). This is immediately followed by the letter Tet ( ט ) for Av , matching the verse Tov Hashem lakol... ("Hashem is good to all, and His mercy is upon all His works"). At first glance, one would think that Tov Hashem lakol —expressing God's absolute goodness—is the very last verse you would associate with the painful month of Av. Yet, this is a profound mystery. The letter Tet has a numerical value of nine, rooting the solemn Nine Days of mourning right here in its essence. This teaches us that everything happening in Galut (exile) is ultimately for our own good, whether we can perceive it or not. This is why Midrash Eicha (Lamentations) begins with a "good word" or a positive note; because at the core of Av's darkness lies the ultimate truth of Tov Hashem lakol . There is an incredible warning and opportunity hidden in this sequence. If you take the letter of Tammuz, Chet ( ח ), and place it next to the letter of Av, Tet ( ט ), they spell the word Chet ( חטא - sin) . These two months are historically prone to spiritual stumbling and tragedy. However, the spiritual work of this time is to take that very vulnerability and turn it around into a source of holiness. Moving past the summer, the letter Yud ( י ) corresponds to Elul . Our Sages teach that the letter Yud symbolizes pure thought. While this world ( Olam Hazeh ) was created with the letter Heh, the World to Come ( Olam Haba ) was created with a Yud. Elul is the month of deep contemplation, planning, and mental preparation for the year to come. Tishrei is represented by the letter Lamed ( ל ), matching the verse Lehodia livnei ha'adam... ("To make known to the sons of man His mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of His kingdom"). This theme of Malchut (Kingship) is the very spiritual essence of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Next is Cheshvan , represented by the letter Nun ( נ ). Remarkably, there is no verse starting with the letter Nun in Ashrei. King David omitted the Nun from the psalm because Nun represents Nofel (falling), and he did not want to evoke the painful verse from Amos, "Fallen ( Nafla ), she shall not rise again, the virgin of Israel." This directly mirrors Cheshvan, a month with no holidays where we experience a spiritual "fall" or quiet period after the heights of Tishrei. But we are not left in the fall. Teves is represented by the letter Samech ( ס ), matching the verse Somech Hashem lechol hanoflim... ("Hashem supports all who fall"). The Samech of Teves immediately follows and lifts up the fallen Nun of Cheshvan. The letter Ayin ( ע ) belongs to Kislev , the month of Chanukah, representing holy sight and the miracles we hold on display ( See Imrei Noam on Chanuka). Shevat is represented by the letter Tzadi ( צ ), corresponding to Tzaddik Hashem bechol drachav... ("Righteous is Hashem in all His ways"). Because Shevat is the time of Tu B'Shevat when we eat of the new fruits of the trees, it embodies the verse, "The righteous ( Tzaddik ) eats to satisfy his soul." Finally, the letter Kuf ( ק ) corresponds to Adar , aligning with the verse Karov Hashem lechol kor'av... ("Hashem is close to all who call upon Him in truth"). This is the ultimate message of Purim and Megillat Esther—that even when God seems completely hidden, He is intimately close to those who call out to Him with sincerity. This brings us back to our focus today. As we enter the month of Av, our main goal is to attune ourselves to this spiritual rhythm. By recognizing the hidden goodness ( Tov ) buried within the heavy days ahead, we can find the strength to transform these moments of vulnerability into a deep, lasting closeness to Hashem. We will continue to build on this, B'ezrat Hashem . Have a beautiful and meaningful day!

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. (Zoom)

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (Zoom)

Welcome to Daily Bitachon. We are on our special Erev Shabbat series, but we are going to connect it to the month of Tammuz, as we have been doing this week. We have been talking about the different letter combinations that connect the 12 months of the year. There is another fascinating combination here, and to fully understand it, we need a little bit of mathematical background. If we take four distinct letters—let's say A, B, C, and D—and organize them into groups based on which letter comes first, each of the four letters gets a turn in the front. Then, the remaining letters are shuffled into every possible order behind it. You get six combinations per letter. For example: ABCD, ABDC, ACBD, ACDB, ADBC, and ADCB. Please don't try to repeat that too fast! If you do that for B, C, and D as well, it comes out to a total of 24 combinations. Four starting choices with six variations each equals a total of 24 different combinations. That is why when you have a combination lock with four unique numbers, you have to go through 24 different variations to figure it out, assuming you are using all four. But what happens when you have a duplicate letter, like AABC? In that case, to fix the double counting, we simply divide our baseline total by two. So, 24 total paths divided by the two identical letters equals 12 unique combinations. With that in mind, Hashem's holy name is spelled with a Yud, a Hei, a Vav, and a Hei. There are four letters, but there is a duplicate letter—the Hei. Therefore, there are exactly 12 possible combinations of Hashem's name. I won't go through them all here, although I will attach a complete chart to the transcript document. Instead, we will focus on just two of them: the combinations for Nissan and Tammuz. The Month of Nissan: A Straight Lens Each one of these 12 combinations has a corresponding pasuk (verse) where the first or last letters of the words spell out that specific order. The combination for Nissan is Yud, Hei, Vav, Hei—Hashem's name in its proper, direct order. For this, we have the pasuk from Divrei HaYamim Aleph 16:31: Yismechu hashamayim v'tagel ha'aretz ( י שמחו ה שמים ו תגל ה ארץ ), meaning "The heavens are happy and the land is joyful." The continuation of that verse reads: V'yomru vagoyim Hashem melech ( ויאמרו בגויים ה' מלך ), meaning "And they will say among the nations that Hashem is king." This represents the month of Nissan, a time of miracles where the entire world openly recognizes God as King. The Month of Tammuz: The Haman Outlook Tammuz is the exact opposite. Its letter combination is Hei, Vav, Hei, Yud, which is Hashem's name completely backwards. If Nissan is all about recognizing God openly in creation, Tammuz represents the ultimate concealment. The four words of the pasuk that spell out this backward combination do not come from the beginning of the words, but rather from the end of the words Haman says in Megillat Esther (5:3): V'chol zeh einenu shoveh li ( וכל ז ה איננ ו שו ה ל י ). The word zeh ends with a Hei, einenu ends with a Vav, shoveh ends with a Hei, and li ends with a Yud. This translates to: "All of this is worthless to me." Haman says this right after walking out of the palace. On that day, he is happy and has a glad heart ( sameach v'tov lev ). He has everything a person could physically desire. Rabbi Yehuda Adas notes that normally, a person needs highly refined middot (character traits) to experience true, lasting joy. But for an egoist like Haman to feel happy, he requires absolutely everything in the world to go his way. He must be the second-in-command to the king and have the entire world bowing down to him just to feel validated. But how long does his happiness last? The text says, U'chrot Haman et Mordechai b'sha'ar hamelech ( וכראות המן את מרדכי בשער המלך )—when Haman sees Mordechai at the king's gate and Mordechai refuses to bow or even move, Haman is ready to explode with rage. He controls himself, goes home to his family, and boasts to them about his vast wealth, his many children, and how the king elevated him above all the other nobles. He is literally listing his assets to rehabilitate his ego after the blow of one individual not bowing to him. He even boasts that he was the only guest invited to join the king and queen for a private party, and that he is invited again tomorrow. But then he drops the punchline: V'chol zeh einenu shoveh li —"Yet all of this is worthless to me every time I see Mordechai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." That toxic outlook can take a person who has the entire world and make them feel like they have absolutely nothing. The Root of the Snake Masechet Chullin 139b asks a famous question: Haman min haTorah m'nayyin? ("Where is Haman hinted at in the Torah?") The Gemara points to the verse after the first sin in Bereishit: Hamin ha'etz asher tzivitiha... ("Did you eat from the tree which I commanded you not to eat?"). The word Hamin (from the) is spelled identically to Haman. The rabbis explain that there is a deep spiritual connection between Haman and eating from the Etz HaDa'at (the Tree of Knowledge). Haman represents the primordial snake, the force of ultimate negativity. In fact, Haman stems from the nation of Amalek. The numerical value (gematria) of Amalek is 240, which is the exact same value as the Hebrew words ram (arrogant) and tzefa (a python or poisonous snake). Think about what the snake did in the Garden of Eden. The snake approached Chavah and asked, "Is it true that God said you cannot eat from any tree in the garden?" Chavah corrected him: "No, of course we can eat from all the trees, there is just one specific tree in the center of the garden that we cannot eat from." But to the snake—and to Haman—if you cannot have that one thing, then everything else you do have becomes completely meaningless. If you are restricted from one single tree, it is as if you can't eat anything at all. If one single man doesn't bow down to you, your entire empire is worth zero. That is the Haman outlook. It forces a person to focus entirely on what they lack, blinding them to the blessings they possess. That is the negative spiritual energy present in the month of Tammuz: the temptation to view our lives through this destructive lens. Shabbat: The Ultimate Alignment The ultimate antidote to this negative energy is Shabbat. This explains a beautiful custom we have in our Friday night Kiddush. Although they are two separate verses in the Torah, we connect the end of the creation story directly to the declaration of Shabbat: Vayhi erev vayhi voker yom hashishi and Vaychulu hashamayim v'ha'aretz . Why do we link them together? The Arizal explains that the first letters of these four consecutive words— Y om H ashishi V aychulu H ashamayim—spell out Hashem's holy name in its straight, proper order (Yud-Hei-Vav-Hei). Shabbat brings us back into alignment and corrects the spiritual damage caused by the snake. Shabbat is a day where we step away from the urge to control and instead view the world through the lens of "Hashem is King." It restores us to the perspective of Yismechu hashamayim v'tagel ha'aretz . That is the true lens of Shabbat. We see this same concept beautifully illustrated in Mizmor Shir L'Yom HaShabbat (Psalm 92), the song of the Sabbath day. It begins, Tov l'hodot l'Hashem —"It is good to praise Hashem." It then maps out the rhythm of faith: L'haggid baboker chasdecha —in the morning, when life is bright and clear, we easily see Hashem's kindness. V'emunatecha balaylot —but in the dark, difficult nights of life, we lean into pure faith. David HaMelech looks at creation and notes that it is profoundly deep, adding that a foolish person cannot understand what is truly happening. What does the fool miss? The fool sees the wicked temporarily prospering like grass and assumes they are winning. But as the psalm progresses, the perspective shifts: Tzaddik katamar yifrach —"The righteous will blossom like a palm tree." The psalm concludes that after the grand design becomes clear, the wicked are shattered and the righteous flourish, L'haggid ki yashar Hashem —"To declare that Hashem is upright." But the words Yashar Hashem can also be read literally as "Hashem's name is straight." When clarity arrives, we are finally looking at the world through the proper lens where His name is no longer scrambled or hidden in backward permutations. It is revealed in its perfect, straight order: Yud-Hei-Vav-Hei. We realize that even through the most confusing and difficult years, His plan was always inherently straight. Tzuri v'lo avlata bo —"He is my rock, and there is no injustice in Him." We pray to appreciate that all months are deeply rooted in this exact clarity. Straightening the Name Through Tzedakah Beyond Shabbat, another profound way to straighten Hashem's name in daily life is brought down by the Chida in his sefer Avodat HaKodesh ( Moreh B'Etzba , siman aleph, letter yud-bet). He teaches that when you give tzedakah (charity), you should mindfully intend to align the four letters Yud, Hei, Vav, Hei. How does the act of giving mirror the Name? The small coin that you pick up represents the small letter Yud . The five fingers of your hand grasping the coin represent the letter Hei (which has a numerical value of five). Stretching out your long arm to extend the charity represents the straight line of the letter Vav . Finally, when the poor man opens his hand to receive the money, his five fingers forming a container represent the final letter, Hei . Based on this, the Chida, in his sefer Nachal Kedumim (Parshat Shemot), offers a deeper explanation of Rashi's commentary on the words V'yikchu li terumah ("Take for Me an offering"). Rashi notes that li ("for Me") means lishmi ("for My name's sake"), which traditionally implies doing the mitzvah with pure, unselfish intentions ( lishma ). However, the Chida reveals a profound mystical layer: li lishmi indicates that when you give tzedakah, you should intentionally contemplate that you are actively rectifying Hashem's name and restoring the letters to their proper, harmonious order. He adds a fascinating insight regarding this process, explaining that this beautiful spiritual alignment only works seamlessly if the giver initiates the flow. This means you must start the sequence yourself by actively seeking out the poor person, picking up the coin, and leading with the Yud, which represents the coin itself. If, instead, the poor person must stick out his hand first, followed by his arm, before the giver finally reaches out with his fingers to hand over the coin, the entire structural order is flipped backward. This is why the highest form of tzedakah occurs when you proactively seek out opportunities to give, rather than waiting for someone to come looking for you. When we initiate giving, we keep the proper spiritual order perfectly aligned, whereas doing it the opposite way turns the intended order completely upside down.

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Zoom)

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Zoom)

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (Zoom)

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Zoom) We apologize for the audio issues again this week.

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Zoom)

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (Zoom)

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Zoom)

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Zoom)

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Zoom)

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (Zoom)

What's Peshat in Megillat Esther?- Rabbi Francis Nataf 09 by Shapell's Rabbeim

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (Zoom)

What's Peshat in Megillat Esther?- Rabbi Francis Nataf 08 by Shapell's Rabbeim

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (Zoom)

What's Peshat in Megillat Esther?- Rabbi Francis Nataf 07 by Shapell's Rabbeim

What does Jewish tradition teach about the right way to use wealth and power? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Shalhevet Kahana explore Parshat Ki Tisa and the story of Purim through the lens of wealth and power. From the mitzvah of the machatzit hashekel to the lavish excess of Achashverosh's court, they examine how money in Megillat Esther becomes a moral test—used by some to dominate and by others to build community and responsibility. The conversation asks what Jewish tradition teaches about the ethical use of wealth and influence.

B"H Where's the after-party in Judaism? There's only one answer. Yerushalayim. Purim doesn't end. In Jerusalem it continues. Shushan Purim. While the rest of the world starts to wind down, the holiest city keeps dancing. Esther means hidden. Megillat Esther is the unveiling of what looked like chaos but was really Hashem all along. And the secret of Purim is this: the joy isn't supposed to disappear. The light isn't supposed to fade. We taste a world without fear, without Amalek energy, without hiddenness. Yerushalayim is the after-party because it represents the world we're moving toward. A world of revealed light and lasting joy. Maybe that party is the one that never ends. Good Purim. #Purim #ShushanPurim #Yerushalayim #Judaism #Israel To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

An archived Megillat Esther class

PURIMAn Inebriated RelationshipThis is the secret of Megillat Esther: a story with no open miracle, yet entirely one great miracle. The long introductions and seemingly incidental details are themselves the revelation of providence. That is why Hallel is not recited on Purim — because the Hallel is the Megillah itself, the act of tracing the chain of events that reveals how, even outside the Land and within the garments of nature, everything is irected with exact precision.This is how one fulfills “ad delo yada”: by stripping away the illusion of nature and perceiving the guiding Hand behind it.

What's Peshat in Megillat Esther?- Rabbi Francis Nataf 06 by Shapell's Rabbeim

What if Megillat Esther is not the most hidden book in Tanakh, but the most brilliantly written one? Secrets of the Scroll--a series produced for this Purim and hosted by Rabbanit Shani Taragin--presents the book of Esther as a text written in code. A story where God is hidden, miracles are quiet, and redemption unfolds through courage, strategy, and deep biblical memory. This is not a surface level Purim series. It is a journey into the inner language of Tanakh and into the heart of what it means to survive, believe, and interpret. This was episode 13 of the 20-part series, wherein our podcast host, Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble, spoke with Rabbanit Shani Taragin about reluctant redeemers like Yonah and Esther who must be pushed into their role in history.

Let's take a deep and thoughtful look at one of the Jewish calendar's most joyful holidays and ask some surprisingly serious questions: Why do we celebrate Jewish holidays at all? What is Purim actually trying to teach us — and how is its lesson unlike any other in the Torah?We explore the unique place Megillat Esther holds in Jewish literature, and what it means that God's name never appears in it — not once. Unlike the five books of Moses, the Purim story doesn't announce the divine. It hides it. And maybe that's exactly the point.We also sit with a harder truth: that today, many of us are holding onto a rope of faith — but that rope is shaking, and shaking violently. In a world where belief feels uncertain, are there ways beyond crisis and foxholes to find our way back to meaning? And what can the story of Esther, Mordecai, and a near-annihilation of the Jewish people teach us about that search?

B"H There are no coincidences. On this Shabbat, Parshat Zachor, we pray for the erasing of Amalek — the force of irrational hatred that rises against the Jewish people. And here we are, watching history move. In two days, it's Purim. The story of ancient Persia. The story of genocide threatened. The story of v'nahafoch hu — everything turning upside down. Megillat Esther means the revelation of what is hidden. Hashem's Name isn't written in the scroll, but He is in every chapter. The same is true now. History is not random. The God of Israel introduces Himself as the One who takes you out of Egypt — the God who acts in history. We just prayed. We just remembered Amalek. And history is moving. Thank You, Hashem. May this be a moment of Shalom — for Israel, for the people of Iran, for the entire world. May darkness fall and light rise. Good Purim. #Purim #Persia #Israel #Iran #Shalom To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

There is a fundamental difference between the miracle of Purim and the miracles of the other holidays. On the other holidays, the salvation came through open miracles. The rules of nature were overturned for all to see — the sea split, enemies fell, and the hand of Hashem was revealed in a way no one could deny. Purim, however, was very different. Everything unfolded through what appeared to be the natural course of events. Only someone who studies the entire chain of occurrences over those nine years can see how every detail was being guided and arranged by Hashem to bring salvation to Am Yisrael. This is the greatness of Megillat Esther, where the hashgachah of Hashem is highlighted, teaching us how to recognize Hashem in our own lives the very same way. We do not see open miracles today, but we can certainly see the guiding hand of Hashem in everything that happens to us each and every day. The hashgachah of Hashem is upon everything. Every last detail of every single event is being carefully planned and orchestrated by Hashem for our good. Nothing is random and nothing is overlooked. The more we train ourselves to notice this, the more clearly we will begin to see Hashem's presence in our lives. Megillat Esther was written not merely to tell us what happened then, but to teach us how to view what is happening now. Just as Hashem arranged every seemingly natural event in the Purim story to bring about salvation, so too He arranges every detail in our own lives with the same loving precision. A man related that he was called on a Friday to repair something in a large school building. Since there were no classes that day, only the office staff were present. He entered the assigned room, fixed what needed fixing, and prepared to leave. Instead of exiting through the door he had used to enter, he noticed another door marked "Exit" and went out through it. The door shut behind him — and locked. He suddenly realized he was trapped in a small corridor with no way out. Someone would have to open the door from the other side. He quickly called the school office, but there was no answer. Then he noticed his phone battery was about to die. He forced himself to stay calm and think. What was the shortest, most effective call he could make before the battery died? He called his wife and quickly told her he was stuck in the school and needed someone to open the door. She didn't even have time to respond before the phone went dead. Baruch Hashem, the message got through. She came to the school, found someone, and they opened the door. When he finally stepped outside, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "If my battery had died ten seconds earlier, I would have been trapped here the entire Shabbat." But his wife, with simple and pure emunah, replied with a sentence that completely changed his understanding: "If the battery had died earlier, Hashem would never have brought you here in the first place — because He wanted you home for Shabbat." At that moment, the man realized something profound. We often thank Hashem for the miracle we see at the end of the story. But true emunah means recognizing that the entire situation was arranged from the beginning so that the outcome could unfold exactly as it did. The battery did not almost die too early. It had precisely the amount of charge it was meant to have — not one percent more, and not one percent less. A person may think his salvation depended on quick thinking, on making the right phone call, or on the last bar of battery. In truth, the salvation began long before, exactly as Hashem planned it. The battery did not save him. Hashem saved him. And once Hashem decided he would be home for Shabbat, no locked door, no empty building, and no dying phone could change that. Hashem calculates our lives down to the smallest details. Our job is to learn to recognize His loving hand in everything that takes place.

The Purim story is recorded in Megillat Esther and is a cannonized text of the Bible. Yet, the name of G-d is not even mentioned once throughout the whole story. How are we to understand the reason for including this albeit interesting story which seems to lack relgious significance in the bibilical text? The answer reveals that within the story, are hidden some fundamental understandings of G-d's presence in the world, in history and in our lives. We learn that within the hidden, there is even greater revelation of G-d in this world. How? Listen to The Surprising Revelation of Hiddenness and gain deeper insights into not only the Purim story, but how G-d is manifest in each of our lives. Soul Talk 26FEB2026 - PODCAST

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. (Zoom)

The Purim holiday commemorates the dramatic salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from Haman’s plot as told in Megillat Esther. ut from a historical perspective, what do we actually know about this story? Did figures such as Haman, Mordechai, and Esther truly exist? KAN’s Sarahlee Tschernia spoke with Professor Yigal Levin, Chair of the Department of Jewish History and Contemporary Jewry at Bar-Ilan University, to explore these questions. (Photo: Yossi Zeliger / FLASH90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's Peshat in Megillat Esther?- Rabbi Francis Nataf 05 by Shapell's Rabbeim

How do we remain faithful to tradition when a sacred text makes us uncomfortable? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman take a thoughtful look at one of the hardest parts of Megillat Esther—the battle scenes at the end of the story. As Purim approaches, they explore different ways to understand these passages: Was the war defensive? A product of its time? Or even intentionally over-the-top? The conversation offers a model for engaging difficult texts with honesty, while still celebrating Purim with depth and joy.

Close out the series with Part 4—where the Purim story doesn't just “end with Haman”, but turns into a deeper lesson about preparation, dates, self-defense, Jewish unity, and what Purim is really celebrating.In this final class on Megillat Esther, we walk through the end of the Megillah alongside key insights from Chazal: the king's paranoia, Haman's downfall, what actually saved the Jews, why the decree couldn't simply be “undone,” and how Purim became an eternal Jewish holiday—complete with Mishloach Manot and Matanot La'Evyonim.You'll also leave with clear, practical clarity on:Why the war was on the 13th of Adar, but Purim is celebrated on the 14thWhy Shushan (and walled cities like Jerusalem) celebrate on the 15thThe powerful message behind the Megillah's “anticlimactic” ending: taxesIf you know someone who'd appreciate these “small but important tidbits” before Purim—share this class with them.Chapters / Key Moments0:01 – Why learning before the holiday changes the holiday2:44 – Recap: the decree, the dates, and the 3-day fast during Pesach6:08 – The king can't sleep: Mordechai's “unpaid debt” returns7:50 – Haman's mistake: describing royal honor… for Mordechai12:34 – Esther reveals her identity + Haman panics16:45 – The king walks out, returns, and Haman's fate is sealed21:35 – The story isn't over: the decree still stands24:52 – Why the king can't “repeal” a royal decree30:46 – The war: 13 Adar worldwide, 14 Adar only in Shushan33:13 – A crucial detail: they did NOT take any plunder35:46 – Why Purim is on the 14th; what “Shushan Purim” means38:59 – Establishing Purim: Mishloach Manot + Matanot La'Evyonim44:09 – Why the Megillah ends with “taxes” (and what it teaches us)49:34 – Gratitude, exile vs redemption, and closing messageTakeaway for PurimPurim is not only about surviving—it's about unity, responsibility for one another, and entering the chag prepared. This is why giving (to friends and to those in need) is part of the very DNA of the day.Enjoy Purim—and spread the inspiration.#Purim #MegillatEsther #Torah #Chazal #JewishLearning #MishloachManot #MatanotLaEvyonim #ShushanPurimThanks for listening! Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel for more content:https://www.youtube.com/@adamstorah

In Part 3 of 4 of our Megillat Esther series, we reach one of the most dramatic turning points in the Purim story: Haman's genocidal decree goes out across the empire, Mordechai's public mourning shakes the streets, and Esther is called upon to risk her life by approaching the king uninvited.We explore:The terrifying language of the decree—young and old, children and women—and how Haman “incentivized” the empire by allowing plunder of Jewish property.The Gemara's striking insight: the king handing over the signet ring moved the Jewish people to teshuvah more than 48 prophets and 7 prophetesses—and what that teaches about spiritual wake-up calls.The confidential back-and-forth between Mordechai and Esther, Esther's fear (and the deeper interpretation of her hesitation), and Mordechai's famous message: “Who knows if for this moment you became queen?”Esther's courageous plan: a three-day fast, even during Pesach, and her decision to act with total reliance on the prayers of her people.Esther's “strange” requests—inviting Haman to a private banquet… twice—and the Gemara's many explanations that reveal Esther's brilliance and strategy.Haman's inner world: how one person refusing to bow can destroy someone who seems to have everything—and the powerful lessons about jealousy, insecurity, and perspective.The providential “night of insomnia” that flips the entire story: the king can't sleep, Mordechai's unrewarded loyalty is discovered, and Haman unwittingly sets up Mordechai's honor parade.We close with a preview of Part 4, where we'll complete the Megillah—Haman's downfall, the salvation of the Jewish people, and Esther's role in establishing Purim as a lasting holiday.

In this session, we continue our deep dive into Megillat Esther, exploring the darker realities behind the “beauty pageant,” the introduction of Mordechai and Esther, and the political events that set the stage for the Purim miracle. Along the way, we bring key Talmud insights and classic commentaries to uncover the deeper meaning behind the story.What we coverThe “pageant” in Chapter 2—and how some commentaries portray it as coercive (including an Ibn Ezra approach)Why Mordechai's location in Shushan mattersEsther's dual name: Hadassah vs. Esther, and what Chazal highlight about her character and presenceEsther's modesty and strategy: hiding her identity and refusing extravaganceThe assassination plot of Bigthan and Teresh—and how Mordechai uncovers itThe rise of Haman and Mordechai's refusal to bowThe king's signet ring as a turning point—and a powerful Chazal teaching about wake-up calls and teshuvahA broader Torah frame: the Amalek/Agag thread and the legacy of Saul, Agag, and Samuel (see 1 Samuel, ch. 15)Why Adar isn't “bad luck”: reframing Adar through the life of MosesTimestamps (approx.)00:00 – Recap of Part 1 (Vashti, the feast, the search for a queen)02:10 – The “pageant” through classic commentary03:30 – Introducing Mordechai in Shushan07:40 – Esther/Hadassah: identity, background, and Chazal13:45 – Why Esther hides her identity + her modest approach18:10 – Esther becomes queen + royal celebration19:15 – Bigthan & Teresh plot and its significance24:00 – Haman's promotion and the bowing decree28:10 – The genocide plot: lots (Pur) from Nisan to Adar36:30 – The signet ring moment and a major rabbinic insight42:25 – Amalek, Agag, and Saul: “misplaced mercy” as a Torah theme57:30 – Adar, Moshe's life, and closing preview

Megillat Esther | Esther's Brilliant Plan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why do we need to hear so many details of the Persian court in Esther 1 and 2 - when the plot only begins in chapter 3?  The first two chapters of Esther seem superfluous to the critical part of the plot - the decree to kill Mordekhai's nation and the successful stratagem that defeated it. Why does the reader need to hear about the Persian Emperor's "glory" and extended coronation party, and about the excessive preening and primping involved in getting the young maidens ready for their "night with the king"? We explore the psychological profiles that each chapter gives us about Achashverosh and Esther, respectively, and then the profile that chapter 3 and 5 give us about Haman; without which we wouldn't be able to understand Esther's brilliant strategy that outfoxed our two enemies and opened the door to national salvation.

In this first class of our 4-part series leading up to Purim, we begin exploring Megillat Esther through the lens of the Gemara (Masechet Megillah)—where Chazal unpack the story with depth, drama, and meaning.Part 1 sets the historical stage, introduces Achashverosh's world, and explains a foundational idea: the Megillah was written under Persian rule, so its messages often come through hints and coded language—inviting us to read carefully and connect the dots.What we coverWhy we start learning Purim in the “30-day red zone”Why we don't say Hallel on Purim (three classic approaches)The exile timeline: Israel → Babylonia → PersiaAchashverosh's extravagant 180-day feast + the 7-day Shushan feastVashti's refusal and the ripple effect of royal decreesThe beauty-pageant system and what it reveals about the kingdomIntroducing Mordechai and Esther—and the hidden hand of Hashem (without His Name appearing)Timestamps00:03 Intro + series overview06:07 Why no Hallel on Purim?09:27 How the Jews arrived in Persia13:50 The 180-day feast and political strategy21:29 Vashti and the royal fallout31:34 The beauty contest + its consequences35:43 Mordechai & Esther; hidden miracles and Tanakh allusions

We usually think a 'gift with strings attached' is a bad thing, but the Torah actually forbids giving without them. No Free Gifts | Terumah, Purim & The Language of Reciprocity There is no such thing as a free gift. In this episode of Madlik Disruptive Torah, Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz explore Parshat Terumah through the provocative lens of French sociologist Marcel Mauss and his groundbreaking work The Gift. Key Takeaways Every gift binds. Giving is a language. Reciprocity builds society. Timestamps [00:00] No Such Thing as a Free Gift: Torah Meets Anthropology [00:43] Terumah & Purim: Gifting as Covenant and Community Glue [01:57] Welcome to Madlik: What We're Really Exploring This Week [02:36] Hong Kong & Chinese New Year: Ritual Exchange in Real Life [04:33] Exodus 25 'Take for Me a Gift': The Strange Language of Terumah [06:21] Rashi's French 'Apaisement': Gifts, Favor, and Propitiation [12:24] Marcel Mauss' The Gift: Reciprocity vs. Utilitarianism [14:33] Potlatch, Honor, and Sacrifice: When Gifts Demand a Return [19:06] Sponsor Break: Voice Gift Tag (A Gift That Speaks) [20:00] Purim's Unique Mitzvah: Mishloach Manot as Required Reciprocity [21:38] Why No Blessing on Charity? Fixed Measures & Receiver Dependence [23:30] Megillat Esther's Two Gifts: Friends vs. the Poor [24:48] Halakhic Details: What Counts as Mishloach Manot (and Why) [28:18] Talmud Stories: Reading Meaning into the Gifts We Send [31:35] Meals, Kashrut, and Unity: Maimonides & Rabbi Riskin's Take [32:50] Closing Blessings: Shabbat Shalom and Heading Toward Purim Links & Learnings Sign up for free and get more from our weekly newsletter https://madlik.com/ Sefaria Source Sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/709029 Transcript here: https://madlik.substack.com/  

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. (Zoom)

What's Peshat in Megillat Esther?- Rabbi Francis Nataf 04 by Shapell's Rabbeim

What's Peshat in Megillat Esther?- Rabbi Francis Nataf 03 by Shapell's Rabbeim

What's Peshat in Megillat Esther? - Rabbi Francis Nataf 02 by Shapell's Rabbeim

What's Peshat in Megillat Esther? - Rabbi Francis Nataf 01 by Shapell's Rabbeim

1 section- 2 opinions as to source in Megillat Esther for allowance of villagers to read Megilla earlier (11, 12, 13)

The pasuk at the conclusion of Parashat Beshalach reads: וַיִּבֶן מֹשֶׁה מִזְבֵּחַ וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ ה' נִסִּי Moshe built a Mizbeach after the Jews defeated Amalek, as a commemoration for the miracle that Hashem did for them. To defeat such a powerful nation, Moshe made this Mizbeach. Rabbi Menashe Reizman quoted the Ktav Sofer who asked: was this the only miracle that Hashem did for the Jewish people at that time? There were the Ten Makot, Keriat Yam Suf, the Man, the Be'er Shel Miriam. Why did Moshe make a Mizbeach only to commemorate the miracle of winning the war against Amalek? The Ktav Sofer answered that until that point, all of the miracles that the Jews had experienced were beyond the realms of nature, and it was obvious that Hashem and only Hashem performed them. However, the miracles in the war against Amalek came in the natural way of the world. Men were appointed to be soldiers and physically fight Amalek. It was people with swords doing battle, and there it may have seemed that it was their strength that enabled them to win the war. Therefore, specifically by that miracle, Moshe needed to do something to proclaim that it was Hashem's doing and that the people should recognize it through that Mizbeach and attribute the victory to Him. As we just experienced a victory in war, eliminating threats from Iran—who have been threatening to annihilate the Jewish people for decades—it behooves us to take a step back and recognize the Yad Hashem in this war as much as we can. We learn from Megillat Esther how to connect the dots of Hashem's involvement in world events from years before they take place. In Shushan HaBirah, the king moved his palace to where Mordechai and Esther lived. He killed his wife Vashti and then Esther came into the palace. Mordechai overheard the plot of Bigtan and Teresh and saved the king's life. It all came together when Haman decreed to annihilate the Jewish people. Hashem had been setting this stage from thirteen years in advance for those critical moments when everything had to be exactly the way it was to save the Jewish people. Here as well, Hashem was working in advance to pave the way for the destruction of our enemies. Chazal tell us we are like a sheep among seventy wolves, waiting to devour us, but we have Hashem—and therefore nobody ever will. In this instance, Hashem used America to assist us in this war, primarily through the actions of President Trump. Looking at it from the natural way of the world, which Hashem hides Himself inside of, it was because Trump is president that Israel had free reign to do as they pleased regarding their surrounding enemies. Nobody was putting restraint on them as previous administrations had done. It was the president's decision to enter the war and wipe out those dangerous nuclear facilities. The fact that this man is the current president is an open miracle. After the January 6th uprising on Capitol Hill after his defeat in the last election, it was obvious that Trump would never be back in politics. Yet, he was able to make the biggest comeback of all time. Obviously, Yad Hashem. Hashem made the man who he ran against in the last election feeble-minded to pave the way to his presidency. He was nearly assassinated, with bullets grazing his ear, yet he emerged alive and stronger than ever. When America got involved, it could easily have triggered World War III. Russia and China are great allies of Iran. However, Hashem had occupied Russia with their own war for the past three years, which kept them far away from this one. Trump decided to make tariffs on foreign countries, with China being the highest, and therefore they had back-and-forth negotiations over the past couple of months. China and America came to a happy agreement and made a peaceful relationship through those tariffs, so that they would stay out of this war as well. Hashem has heaped chesed upon His nation in wondrous ways, and it is incumbent upon us to show our hakarat hatov. We don't understand all the ways of Hashem, but we do know that since October 7th, there has been a renaissance of ba'alei teshuvah, people getting closer to Torah and mitzvot. Furthermore, the events of October 7th opened the door for Israel to decimate Hamas and Hezbollah. We pray for Hashem to bring back the rest of the hostages. We feel that we are very close to the geulah. Rabbi Reizman quoted the Chazal that says, "Whoever reports something in the name of the person who said it brings redemption to the world," and the Maharal there explains that to mean: the one who Hashem chooses to bring the geulah has to be someone who is going to give the credit of the salvation to Him. Someone who is able to give credit where credit is due is someone who will potentially be part of the upcoming geulah. We pray for the day when everyone in the world will recognize that Hashem is the King, and that He controls and rules over everything. We have just witnessed with our own eyes how President Trump thanked Hashem numerous times—first for saving his life and enabling him to do his mission, and now in his role in the war, Trump has said, "We love you, G-d." And then we saw Netanyahu tell the world that Israel's strength comes from Hashem's heavenly help. The world is hearing that success comes only from Hashem. We hope that we are at the doorstep of geulah. May we see the geulah sheleimah b'karov. Amen.

Our learning today is dedicated in honor of the State of Israel celebrating 77 years of independence. We continue to pray for the safe and speedy return of our hostages, for the safety of our soldiers, and for a refuah shleima for all the injured soldiers.  We also dedicate our learning to the speedy extinguishing of the terrible fires blazing in Israel and to the safety of the firefighters.  How were the lashes administered? Why? What situations would provide enough embarrassment for the one getting the lashes that even if some of the lashes were given or in some cases, even if none were yet administered, one would already have fulfilled receiving the punishment? Why was the whip made from a calf and a donkey? Rabbi Chanina ben Gamliel holds that one who is obligated to receive karet and then receives lashes for that sin, the lashes atone for the sin and the person will no longer receive karet. According to Rabbi Yochanan, the rabbis disagreed with Rabbi Chanina. Rav Ada proves this from a Mishna in Megilla. However, Rav Nachman and Rav Ashi reject the proof, each in a different way. The Mishna brings various statements regarding the value of observing mitzvot. When Rav Ada bar Ahava ruled like Rabbi Chanina ben Gamliel, Rav Yosef asked rhetorically if he had gone up to the heavens and seen that those who received lashes did not receive karet? Abaye responded that Rabbi Chanina derived it from a verse, just as in a statement of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi that there are three things the rabbis did that the heavens approved of - the obligation to read Megillat Esther, greeting a friend using the name of God, and bringing the tithes to the Temple to be distributed. Rabbi Elazar said that there are three instances where the Divine Spirit appeared in a court to intervene - with Yehuda, Shmuel, and Shlomo, as can be proven from verses in the Tanach. Rava rejects the proof from the verses, but says this was learned by a tradition. 

Rabbi Fohrman and Imu discover that it's not only Haman who has a counterpart in Eden. There's a whole list of characters from Megillat Esther who are playing out a version of the Tree of Knowledge story. But what is the Megillah trying to tell us by taking this story from the beginning of Genesis and replaying it here at the end of Tanach? It's not just about Haman's being a supervillain. There's something for all of us to learn here about what happens when humans try to play God.A Book Like No Other is an exclusive product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. If you loved this episode and are already a member of Aleph Beta, make sure you're logged in to listen to upcoming episodes. We'll even give you a private RSS feed so you can keep listening on your favorite podcasting app. Feel free to email info@alephbeta.org if you have any trouble. And if you're not a member…what are you waiting for? Click here and become a member to access this new season of A Book Like No Other, as well as our full library of over 1,000 videos and podcasts.A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide. Subscribe to Aleph Beta to unlock the full season and get access to a private RSS feed for seamless listening on your favorite podcast app!

Note for Premium Members: This episode is part of our free release of "A Book Like No Other." If you're a premium subscriber, you already have access to this content in your premium feed.Rabbi Fohrman and Imu explore parallels between Megillat Esther and the Garden of Eden, beginning from the hint in the Midrash that links Haman to the Tree of Knowledge. The familiar characters from these well-known stories suddenly appear in a new light, as Haman becomes even more villainous, and Adam's defiance becomes even more shocking. A Book Like No Other is an exclusive product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum.New to A Book Like No Other? Welcome! This is our first-ever free release of this premium series. If you enjoy this episode, become an Aleph Beta member to access our full library of over 1,000 videos and podcasts, including future episodes of this season. Visit alephbeta.org to join.Premium members: Already enjoying this series? Make sure you're logged in to access upcoming episodes through your private RSS feed. Need help? Email info@alephbeta.org.A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide. Subscribe to Aleph Beta to unlock the full season and get access to a private RSS feed for seamless listening on your favorite podcast app!