by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 16, 2022 | Adar, Nisan, Passover, Prayer, Purim
Jews around the world fast from sunrise to sunset on the 13th of Adar. This fast day, called the Fast of Esther, is held just before the holiday of Purim. It is considered a minor fast and is more lenient in its observance, particularly when it comes to pregnant...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 13, 2022 | Esther, Purim
WHEN: Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar. In a leap year, in which an additional month of Adar is added, Purim is celebrated in Adar Bet, the second month of Adar. Shushan Purim, the day following Purim, is the day when the holiday is celebrated in cities that...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 6, 2022 | God, Good and Evil, Ki Teitzei, Purim
The Shabbat which immediately precedes the holiday of Purim is known as Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath of remembering. In addition to the regular Torah reading, we read the verses commanding the Jews to remember what Amalek did to them when they left Egypt, and their...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 2, 2022 | Adar, Antisemitism, Happiness and Joy, Nisan, Purim, Redemption
The Bible does not name the Hebrew months, but declares that the month containing the holiday of Passover, the month we refer to as Nisan, is the first month. The month preceding Nisan is Adar, and therefore, according to the Biblical manner of counting months, it is...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 23, 2022 | Adar, Covenant, Ki Tisa, Purim, Temple
Shabbat Shekalim is the last Shabbat preceding the beginning of the Hebrew month of Adar*, or the 1st of Adar itself if the month begins on Shabbat. In synagogues, the Torah portion describing the bringing of the silver half-shekel is read (Exodus 30:11-16) in...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 20, 2022 | Purim
The experience at Mount Sinai was an unprecedented revelation of God’s glory that pushed the limits of human perception. This is reflected in the descriptions offered by the sages. When it came time for the people to approach the mountain, the Torah describes it thus:...
