by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 8, 2023 | Adar, Purim
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz I have always been fascinated by time, perhaps because if I am left to my own devices I can live my life blissfully unaware that time exists. It amazes me that organized events or business meetings happen at all. It requires people who are...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 19, 2023 | Adar, Bible Study, Purim
By Chaim Barzel “…in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, pur—which means “the lot”—was cast before Haman concerning every day and every month, [until it fell on] the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar.” (Esther 3:7) This verse in the Book of Esther is the...
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 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 13, 2022 | Adar, Community, Israel, Ki Tisa, Temple
In the beginning of the Torah portion of Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35), God commands the Children of Israel to take a census by collecting a silver half-shekel from every male over the age of 20. What is the meaning of half shekel in the Bible? The half shekel is a...