Podcasts about megillat esther

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

This series with Rabbi Dovid Fink explores the halachic issues fulfilling mitzvot that involve hearing, such as Havdala and Megillat Esther, when participating remotely via telephone or VOIP. In what instances is listening over a digital connection valid? What practical guidelines are necessary?For more info or to visit the main shiur page please visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://webyeshiva.org/course/hearing-havdala-over-a-phone/

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!

This class analyzes Megillat Esther Chapter 1, verses 1–8, focusing on Rashi's explanations of Achashverosh's rise to power and his subsequent festivities. We explore the geographical reach of his empire, the political timing of his 180-day feast for officers, and the inclusive 7-day party for the people of Shushan. Rashi provides clarity on the lavish decorations, the custom of reclining on "beds," and the King's decree of non-coerced drinking. Ultimately, we see how the Jewish people's enjoyment of this secular grandeur set the stage for the challenges that would follow, reminding us that even the most "natural" political events are guided by a Divine hand. https://www.torahrecordings.com/classes/by_month/007_adar2/purim_001

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. 

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!

Chazal tell us that in the future, all korbanot will be nullified except for one—the Korban Toda. We know that a Todah is brought when someone is saved from a dangerous situation. But after Mashiach comes, when there will no longer be any danger, why would we need to bring a Korban Todah? The Belzer Rebbe explained that in the future, Hashem will reveal to us all of the miracles He performed for us every single day of our lives—miracles we never even realized were happening. For those, we bring korbanot to Hashem in gratitude. The pasuk states, " כימי צאתך מארץ מצרים אראנו נפלאות "—"As in the days when you left Egypt, I will show you wonders." The Meshech Chochma quotes the midrash, which explains that in the future, we will see miracles beyond anything we could have ever imagined. What kind of miracles could possibly surpass Kriyat Yam Suf and the Ten Plagues? He answers that the greatest revelation will be when we see how every moment in history—even the darkest times—was truly a manifestation of Hashem's infinite love. This realization will be the greatest novelty to us. A perfect example is Megillat Esther. Even though Bneh Yisrael had already seen Kriyat Yam Suf, the Megillah was a completely new revelation for them. Why? Because in Megillat Esther, we witnessed how Hashem controls everything within nature. The story unfolded over more than ten years, yet every detail was orchestrated precisely by Hashem. This was the chidush—that Hashem can control everything while remaining completely hidden, without anyone realizing it. Rabbi Menashe Reizman gave a mashal: Imagine someone trying to enter a king's palace while guards stand at their posts. One way to get inside is to eliminate the guards and then walk in. A much harder way is to sneak through while the guards remain in place. In the same way, Hashem controls everything—down to the finest details—while we are there, without disrupting the normal order of the world. In the future, all of this will be revealed. We will see Hashem's hand in every part of our lives, and we will experience overwhelming joy. We will run to bring korbanot to Hashem for all the chesed He has done for us that we never even knew about. A young man from London recently shared his story with me. He is married to a girl from Brooklyn. When I asked how their shidduch came about, he explained that his wife had gone to seminary in Israel, where she made some friends from London. Before returning to America, she stopped in London to visit these friends. One night, as she arrived at their apartment, she discovered that the door was locked, and she couldn't get in. She called another friend, who invited her to stay at her house. While she was there, she met her friend's mother, who immediately thought she would be the perfect match for her son. And that's how they got married. Look at how Hashem brings couples together in ways that seem so natural, yet are completely miraculous. How does a girl from Brooklyn end up meeting her zivug in London? Hashem arranged for her to become close friends with someone from London, orchestrated her stopover in the city, and then—at just the right moment—caused her to get locked out of her friend's apartment. These kinds of stories happen to hundreds of people every single day, yet most of the time, we don't even recognize Hashem's involvement. Recently, we witnessed an open miracle that Hashem performed through the natural way of the world: Terrorists had planned to detonate bombs on five buses in Israel during the morning rush hour at 9 a.m., when the buses would be packed with people. Rachmana litzlan, had their plan succeeded, the casualties would have been devastating. But instead, the bombs went off at 9 p.m. the night before—when the buses were empty, parked in a lot. How could such a sophisticated, carefully planned attack have failed so drastically? How did they make the exact same timing mistake on every single bomb? To the world, it looked like human error. But we know the truth. This was nothing less than the Yad Hashem to save His children, hidden within the natural order. It is up to us to look for Hashem's hand in everything, to find it as often as we can, and to appreciate—even now—the endless kindness that Hashem does for us every single day.

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!

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.The Book of Esther has no Divine instructions, no prophecies, no outright miracles. God doesn't even get mentioned. We all love hearing how Mordechai and Esther saved their people in a time of crisis – but does this story have any moral message for us? As we're listening to the Megillah on Purim, what can we learn about coming close to God in our everyday lives?Join Imu Shalev and Rabbi David Fohrman as they dive deeply into Megillat Esther to find an answer to this question. They start off with a very odd set of comments from our sages, claiming that there were angels at work in the Esther story. The Megillah doesn't say anything about angels, so what on earth made the rabbis think that? Rabbi Fohrman teases the possibility that these strange angel stories are all pointing to a link between Esther, a narrative from the end of Tanach, and another story all the way back in Genesis. If we explore that connection, we may eventually find the key to the Megillah's moral message.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!

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.The Book of Esther has no Divine instructions, no prophecies, no outright miracles. God doesn't even get mentioned. We all love hearing how Mordechai and Esther saved their people in a time of crisis – but does this story have any moral message for us? As we're listening to the Megillah on Purim, what can we learn about coming close to God in our everyday lives?Join Imu Shalev and Rabbi David Fohrman as they dive deeply into Megillat Esther to find an answer to this question. They start off with a very odd set of comments from our sages, claiming that there were angels at work in the Esther story. The Megillah doesn't say anything about angels, so what on earth made the rabbis think that? Rabbi Fohrman teases the possibility that these strange angel stories are all pointing to a link between Esther, a narrative from the end of Tanach, and another story all the way back in Genesis. If we explore that connection, we may eventually find the key to the Megillah's moral message.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.Subscribe to Aleph Beta to unlock the full season of A Book Like No Other and get access to a private RSS feed for seamless listening on your favorite podcast app. Meaningful Judaism is a project of Aleph Beta Labs. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide. For our full library of over 1,000 videos and podcasts, please visit www.alephbeta.org.