News and updates about Purim

I wish I had wings...

It is the month of Adar, the month of rebirth, of hopefulness. And yet, a white cloud of disbelief lends an atmosphere of disbelief, to the lovely scene. We ask, When? For how long?

I wish I had wings...

Father of Jewish singer Yaakov Shwekey passed away

Rabbi Menachem Shwekey, father of singers Yaakov and Yosef Chaim Shwekey, passed away on Purim.

Father of Jewish singer Yaakov Shwekey passed away

Photo essay:

Jerusalem celebrates Purim

The streets of Jerusalem were especially festive on Monday in honor of Purim, per Jewish law, celebrated a day later than most of the world. Arutz Sheva is out in the capital capturing the joy.

Jerusalem celebrates Purim

The Yetzer Hara and Purim

“Brief” encounters can lead to devastation.

The Yetzer Hara and Purim

Evacuees from North and South: ‘We must celebrate’

After five months away from home, residents of Kiryat Shmona and Sderot, evacuated to Jerusalem, find it difficult to celebrate Purim in the shadow of war and longing for their homes.

Evacuees from North and South: ‘We must celebrate’

Responding to global barbarism: Insights from Purim

The Purim narrative offers profound insights into our response to global barbarism of Hamas and Iran. Op-ed.

Responding to global barbarism: Insights from Purim

Monday in Jerusalem:

Purim Procession to be led by hostages' families

The "United in Purim" parade in Jerusalem will be led by a display honoring the hostages held in Gaza for 171 days, alongside 134 yellow cranes representing each hostage.

Purim Procession to be led by hostages' families

PM reads Megilla with soldiers:

‘We eliminated Haman, we will eliminate Sinwar too’

Prime Minister Netanyahu participated in the Purim Megilla reading with soldiers of the Military Police Corps’ Erez Battalion: "We will enter Rafah and achieve complete victory"

‘We eliminated Haman, we will eliminate Sinwar too’

Watch:

Pres. Herzog reads megilla in Jerusalem - with evacuees

Pres. Isaac Herzog attends reading of Megillat Esther at the 'theater' hotel in Jerusalem, along with evacuees from Kiryat Shmona and Sderot.

Pres. Herzog reads megilla in Jerusalem - with evacuees

Watch live:

Megilla reading at Yeshivat Hakotel in Jerusalem

Ahead of the reading of Megillat Esther, Rabbi Baruch Wieder, dean of Yeshivat Hakotel, gives special Purim class highlighting the war with Hamas.

Megilla reading at Yeshivat Hakotel in Jerusalem

Watch: Tehran Jewish community reads Purim megilla

Jewish community in Tehran gathers to read Megillat Esther on Purim - in the land where the miracles took place.

Watch: Tehran Jewish community reads Purim megilla

Why did a right-wing MK call for a Palestinian state?

MK Tzvi Succot went further than clothes for his costume as a left-wing activist.

Why did a right-wing MK call for a Palestinian state?

Hostage's Brother:

'He said 'Shema Yisrael, they've captured us''

The brother of hostage Ohad Ben-Ami was exchanging text messages with Ohad when Hamas terrorists breached their home.

'He said 'Shema Yisrael, they've captured us''

A Purim letter to my daughters

Every Purim, we celebrate strong Jewish women. This Purim, we celebrate their ability to make a lasting impact and to bring comfort, strength, resilience, and peace to our people. Letter.

A Purim letter to my daughters

Purim Torah: UN condemns Jews for genocide against Haman

UN demands cessation of all gragger spinning. Ahashveros confused again - cannot seem to tell the difference between Haman and Mordechai.

Purim Torah: UN condemns Jews for genocide against Haman

Following ISIS attack:

Russia chief rabbi calls off Purim concerts

As Russian Jews celebrate Purim in the shadow of a mass ISIS attack on Moscow, Rabbi Berel Lazar calls off musical events, urges unity. 'When the forces of good are united, the forces of evil, hatred, and fanaticism will be completely defeated.'

Russia chief rabbi calls off Purim concerts

The inside story of Megillat Esther

To present an example that is happening right before our eyes; Why is the entire world focused, and even obsessed with Israel?

The inside story of Megillat Esther

A Purim Spiel

Dramatic announcement of the DOA.

A Purim Spiel

At rally for hostages' release, rabbi reads Purim megilla

Tens of thousands attend rally for hostages' release, hear Purim megilla. 'History is repeating itself, and it is in our hands to save our brothers and sisters.'

At rally for hostages' release, rabbi reads Purim megilla

Purim: Why do they hate us?

Every nation, every culture which ever felt threatened by the knowledge of G-d was determined to exterminate, to kill, and to destroy all the Jews, from young to old, babies and women.

Purim: Why do they hate us?

Purim dog exhibition for special needs children

Special needs children and their families were treated to a particularly entertaining dog show during the Fast of Esther.

Purim dog exhibition for special needs children

The Joy of spending Purim with Rabbi Kook

Israel's first Chief Rabbi had a unique tradition for Purim festivities and his students took part. In the middle of his speech, Rav Kook suddenly stood up and began to sing with great elation, “Do not fear, My servant Jacob! Do not fear, do not fear!”

The Joy of spending Purim with Rabbi Kook

Wait until G-d calls you

Torah Mitzion for Shabbat Zachor and Purim.

Wait until G-d calls you

Per hostages' families' request

Jerusalem Purim parade to undergo changes

This year's Purim parade will be called 'Purim United' and the music during the parade will be at a lower volume.

Jerusalem Purim parade to undergo changes

'You can't stop us'

Displaced families return to kibbutz for Purim march

The residents of Kerem Shalom returned to their Kibbutz to celebrate the annual Purim "Adeloyada" march.

Displaced families return to kibbutz for Purim march

Jewish visitors shocked

PLO flag hung at gravesite of Mordecai and Esther

Iranian Jews made the traditional annual pilgrimage to the site believed to be the graves of the protagonists of the Purim story.

PLO flag hung at gravesite of Mordecai and Esther

Hundreds of Purim events focus on unity in wartime

Over 700 free events to bring Purim joy to evacuees, IDF soldiers, and others.

Hundreds of Purim events focus on unity in wartime

1/4 pita, cheese, and olives

Hostages' families give mishloach manot to MKs

Breaking the Purim tradition, the mishloach manot, which usually consists of sweets, contained a quarter pita, a spoonful of cheese, and two olives – the amount of food that the hostages have been receiving for 166 days.

Hostages' families give mishloach manot to MKs

Purim and Sadness

Mother of murdered teen speaks on Purim and sadness

Mother of kidnapped teen speaks on Purim and sadness: 'The soul knows how to contain a complexity of joyous and sad moments, not this and that, but the two together. We didn't choose it, but it improves us as a society.'

Mother of murdered teen speaks on Purim and sadness

'Kitvuni' - short essays for Purim

'Esther's Wisdom' - A collection of essays for Purim by the Matan Kitvuni Fellows, women scholars and educators.

'Kitvuni' - short essays for Purim

Lipa's new song for 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'

Leading Sefardi rabbi:

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

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow:

Purim and PTSD

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

Purim and PTSD

Rabbi rules:

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

British Jews under assault:

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?*

Op-ed:

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

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

Purim

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?

Purim with Rabbi Druckman:

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

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?

Purim-Related Relic Found

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