News and updates about Purim

'Tell Hamas na na na na'

Hassidic singer Lipa Schmeltzer, in cooperation with Oorah, released a new song and music video in honor of Purim titled 'Ashrei Ha'am.' In the song the singer connects the ancient conflict with Amalek to the modern one with Hamas.

'Tell Hamas na na na na'

Tone down Purim celebrations amid war

Rabbi David Yosef said that haredim must show that they are also part of Israel's pain and therefore should refrain from public celebrations.

Tone down Purim celebrations amid war

Purim and PTSD

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow explains how communities should celebrate Purim in light of the tragic effects of the war.

Purim and PTSD

Mitzvah to report anyone playing with firecrackers

Rabbi Ben-Zion Mutzafi, a leading Sephardic Rabbi, rules that 'one must report anyone selling or playing with firecrackers,' says it is 'a great mitzvah to avoid harming or scaring anyone in Israel, especially these days.'

Mitzvah to report anyone playing with firecrackers

Do you know the minor festivals this weekend?

Did you know that this Friday and Shabbat there are some minor festivals on the Jewish calendar?

Do you know  the minor festivals this weekend?

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

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 optimistic as they celebrate their 2nd wartime Purim

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

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

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

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

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

Impossible to describe the holiness

'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 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 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 Lapid doesn't like 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

Romania: 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

Ukraine Chabad houses hold Purim celebrations

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 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

Continue the joy of Purim through the entire year

Sending mishlo’ach manot is meant to be done all year, increasing love among Jews. 'Megillah' all year is seeing G-d's hand in everything.

Continue the joy of Purim through the entire year

When Rabbi Kook spent Purim in the Yeshiva of Volozhin

The iconic Torah luminary and first Chief Rabbi of Israel was the "Rav Purim" in Volozhin Yeshiva as a young bachur.

When Rabbi Kook spent Purim in the Yeshiva of Volozhin

Worldwide Megilat Esther Reading Broadcast - Dnipro Ukraine

Jewish community of Dnirpo Ukraine reads Megilat Esther on night of Purim as Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.

Worldwide Megilat Esther Reading Broadcast - Dnipro Ukraine

One out of every nine people testing for coronavirus is positive

Infection coefficient continues to rise, nears one, as Purim approaches.

One out of every nine people testing for coronavirus is positive

Why This Mother Hates This Time Of Year

Purim is supposed to be a happy time. But for many families, it’s the most disappointing time of year.

Why This Mother Hates This Time Of Year

Israeli delegation brings Purim joy to Ukrainian refugees

Ahead of Purim holiday, Israeli delegation lands in Poland to respond to needs in refugee communities.

Israeli delegation brings Purim joy to Ukrainian refugees

It's already Purim in Australia

Jewish community in Sydney kicks off Purim celebrations.

It's already Purim in Australia

Purim: A psychological perspective

There is one dimension of the Megilah that is often overlooked, that of the traits, the middot, of the characters.

Purim: A psychological perspective

From Covid To Kiev, how talk of WWIII trumped the virus

How can we joke this Purim when there is so much bloodshed and suffering going on in Eastern Europe again?

From Covid To Kiev, how talk of WWIII trumped the virus

Purim Guide for the Perplexed 2022

Facts and anecdotes about the Purim festival this week. Although joyous, Purim also reminds Jews of their vulnerability-and G-d's salvation.

Purim Guide for the Perplexed 2022

Laws of Purim Demukafin (in walled cities) that falls on Friday

Laws pertaining to Purim Demukafin (Purim in walled cities) that, like this year, is on a Friday: For Sephardim and Ashkenazim.

Laws of Purim Demukafin (in walled cities) that falls on Friday

A visit and a gift for sick children at a Jerusalem hospital

In honor of Purim, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog distribute Purim baskets to children hospitalized at Shaare Zedek.

A visit and a gift for sick children at a Jerusalem hospital

Yeshiva students dance in hospital

Students from Mitzpe Yeriho's Netivot Yosef yeshiva bring joy to patients at Jerusalem hospital.

Yeshiva students dance in hospital

Light snow in the north, Jerusalem, and Samaria

White pre-Purim: Overnight, light snow fell in the Golan and Jerusalem. Today, snow is expected to spread to the central mountains.

Light snow in the north, Jerusalem, and Samaria

How Purim was saved

A Biblical Book that doesn’t mention God? Events that ignore Eretz Yisra’el? Preposterous, some said!

How Purim was saved