News and updates about Purim

The Matilda Effect and Jewish Community Leadershiip

Politics is dominated by alpha males today as much as at any time in history. A political Matilda Effect. Op-ed.

The Matilda Effect and Jewish Community Leadershiip

A prayer for unity and love

The Sara Litton z”l Monthly Emunah Essay, as Adar draws to a close: the Mishkan and the Purim holiday's long term messages.

A prayer for unity and love

Knife-wielding man yells ‘I love Hitler” at London Jews on Purim

UK man armed with weapon taunts Jews leaving Stamford Hill synagogue on Purim, shouting about his admiration for Nazi leader.

Knife-wielding man yells ‘I love Hitler” at London Jews on Purim

Purim on the Temple Mount: Record number of Jewish visitors this year

Calm prevailed despite Arab threats of violence.

Record number of Jewish visitors this year

The endless ages of Purim

If Purim had concluded with a lesson on tolerance, liberal Jews might be more inclined to celebrate it. But it packs a timeless lesson.Op-ed

The endless ages of Purim

The Daily Portion: What will we take with us from Purim?*

Jerusalem is so special that it has its own Purim day. But some aspects of Purim should last all year.

The Daily Portion: What will we take with us from Purim?*

Haman is alive and killing today

Don't celebrate Purim without realizing there are contemporary Hamans hiding their loathing for Jews behind masks of false victimhood.Op-ed.

Haman is alive and killing today

Kyiv Jews celebrate their 2nd wartime Purim with renewed resolve and optimism

Just over a year into the war, Kyiv Jews celebrate Purim in precarious economic circumstances under the continued threat of Russian attacks.

Kyiv Jews optimistic as they celebrate their 2nd wartime Purim

Shushan Purim: The sweetest victory

Can you hear us celebrating, Haman? Hark from whatever dismal depths you are in now, and hear our sweet children singing in our own country.

Shushan Purim: The sweetest victory

Watch: Iranian Jews sing after Purim megillah reading

Jews in Tehran sing the Shoshanat Yaakov prayer, which is sung at the conclusion of the reading of the Book of Esther.

Iranian Jews sing after Purim megillah reading

Purim / Venahafoch hu; when everything flips

The Purim story teaches us that there is always hope and it is forbidden to despair

Purim / Venahafoch hu; when everything flips

Watch: Finance Minister Smotrich on the drums

To mark the Purim holiday, Israel's Finance Minister takes the drums dressed as a Hasid.

Watch: Finance Minister Smotrich on the drums

Sacred sanctity: Purim

Our goal is to elevate the physical elements and joy of Purim to a state of sanctity, to an expression of love and gratitude to Hashem

Sacred sanctity: Purim

Purim in Huwara: Chabad chassidim dance with soldiers, violence breaks out

IDF investigating attack on Arab vehicle, 'unseemly' documentation of soldiers dancing while on duty.

Chabad chassidim dance with soldiers, violence breaks out

Watch: Book of Esther read at MDA national center

MDA's national call center, along with responding to emergency calls, also held a megillah reading.

Book of Esther read at MDA national center

Communications Min. to IDF reserve refusers: Go to hell

Minister Shlomo Karhi says country 'will manage without you' to reservists threatening not to report to duty over judicial reforms.

Communications Min. to IDF reserve refusers: Go to hell

Mordechai the enigma

Interesting ideas about the Megillah and the Purim holiday.

Mordechai the enigma

Why is the Book of Esther included in Tanach?

The answer is particularly apt for our times.

Why is the Book of Esther included in Tanach?

Impossible to describe the holiness: Purim with Rabbi Druckman

For his students, Rabbi Chaim Druckman was a central component of every holiday, especially Purim.

Impossible to describe the holiness

Netanyahu to IAEA Director: Are we permitted to defend ourselves?

PM responds to IAEA director Rafael Grossi's claim an attack on Iran's nuclear program would violate international law.

'Are we permitted to defend ourselves?'

On Purim – How drunk should a person get?

Why would our Sages instruct us to get drunk, when the Torah and Prophets clearly object to the associated lack of control?

On Purim – How drunk should a person get?

Ancient inscription with name of King Darius found in Israel

2,500-year-old potshard bearing name of King Ahasuerus' father found in central Israel.

Ancient inscription with name of King Darius found in Israel

Purim party for wounded soldiers helps them leave the pain behind

Belev Echad hosts Purim bash for WIA soldiers and veterans. "Purim is a time of miracles, and each of our soldiers is a walking miracle."

Purim party for wounded soldiers helps them leave pain behind

Why four parshiot on the Tabernacle and less than one on Creation?

What is so significant about the Tabernacle that the Torah dedicates to discussing it more space than the world covenant?

Why four parshiot on the Tabernacle and one on Creation?

Rosh Chodesh Adar Torah Essay: Sharing joy

What do Chazal exactly want from us this month when they tell us to be happy? And why?

Rosh Chodesh Adar Torah Essay: Sharing joy

Purim, Matanon L’Evyonim, and Machatzit HaShekel

Purim is celebrated in memory of the miracle through which the people of Israel were saved in the times of Mordecai and Esther.

Purim, Matanon L’Evyonim, and Machatzit HaShekel

Purim to Passover: G-d's love for His People and His Land

If the ten days from Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur are Days of Awe,I would posit that the days from Purim to Passover are Days of Love.

Purim to Passover: G-d's love for His People and His Land

Why Minister Yair Lapid doesn't like the festival of Purim

The alternate prime minister of the one and only Jewish State has a problem with certain Jewish holidays..

Why Minister Lapid doesn't like Purim

In a Romanian resort town, Jewish children from Odessa celebrate Purim as refugees

Hundreds of Jewish children who fled Odessa celebrate Purim in Romanian resort town of Neptun.

Romania: Jewish children from Odessa celebrate Purim as refugees

Beyond Good & Evil & the Purim Challenge

Elevating a Soul: Staring Down Evil & Uniting the People

Beyond Good & Evil & the Purim Challenge

Watch: Ukrainian refugees celebrate Purim in Jerusalem

Tiferet HaMoshava synagogue in Jerusalem hosts children and families who from Ukraine for their first Purim celebration in Israel.

Watch: Ukrainian refugees celebrate Purim in Jerusalem

Shushan Purim:: The sweetest victory

Can you hear us celebrating, Haman? Hear our children singing! In our own country, we defeat you year by year.

Shushan Purim:: The sweetest victory

Watch: Purim celebrations at Moscow's central synagogue

Jews in the central synagogue of Moscow, Russia, celebrate Purim with Rabbi Berel Lazar.

Watch: Purim celebrations at Moscow's central synagogue

In Ukraine, Chabad houses under fire hold Purim celebrations 'as usual'

In Odessa and Kherson, Ukraine, Chabad-Lubavitch synagogues hold Purim celebrations, defying the ongoing war.

Ukraine Chabad houses hold Purim celebrations

Watch: Celebrating Purim in Jerusalem

Purim celebrations commence in Jerusalem, as Yeshivat Hakotel prepares for megillah reading with a special talk from Rabbi Baruch Vider.

Watch: Celebrating Purim in Jerusalem

'With the noise of the clapper, we suppress the voice of war'

Hungarian Jews celebrate Purim with Ukrainian refugees and demand peace with rattles.

'With the noise of the clapper, we suppress the voice of war'

A very special Megillah reading on an airplane headed for Ukraine

Scroll used was rescued from Germany before the war, preserved over generations.

A special Megillah reading on an airplane headed for Ukraine

The most popular Purim songs - ready to go

Israel National News - Arutz Sheva presents ready-to-go Purim playlist for those on the go, comprised of the most popular holiday melodies.

The most popular Purim songs - ready to go

Watch: Hundreds join Purim parade in Hebron

In Hebron, the City of the Forefathers, hundreds join the traditional Purim parade.

Watch: Hundreds join Purim parade in Hebron

The tapestry of Purim

The historical record of Purim and the struggle to rebuild the Holy Temple.

The tapestry of Purim