Purim

'Together we'll reverse the lot'

Agam Berger's call ahead of Purim

Captivity survivor Agam Berger calls on the public to attend a Megillah reading at Hostages Square. "Together, we will reverse the lot and bring back our 59 brothers and sisters."

From Shushan to Washington

The greatest political drama in Jewish history has much to teach America’s current Jewish politicians. Opinion.

Watch: Teaching youngsters the lessons of the Purim story

This week Kitah students learned about the struggle between Mordechai and Haman, trying to understand why Mordechai refused to bow down. And they talked about what the miracle teaches us.

86 children orphaned after fathers die in battle

These children are experiencing excruciating loss and grief.

Rare moment of unity:

Government Minister, opposition MK exchange Purim gifts

Minister Ofir Sofer and opposition MK Gadi Eisenkot, whose offices neighbor each other, presented each other with Purim gifts. 'I wish the good relations between us would be the same between everyone in the country.'

Purim in the IDF:

5000 mishloach manot packages sent to IDF soldiers

In preparation for Purim the military Rabbinate is distributing about 125,000 Scrolls of Esther, along with more than 5,000 mishloach manot packages to the soldiers.

Purim, courage, and redemption

Thus, the war against Haman was a missed opportunity for national Redemption—a lesson from history that resonates profoundly in our own times.

Beyond Purim:

Unsung Heroines: Miriam and Yocheved's enduring legacy

Imagine the scale of how these two women changed the course of humanity for the good. Imagine what you can do as a mother or a daughter today to change the course of history.

Pita with yellow ribbon:

Hostage families' Purim gifts to MKs

Hostage families give Knesset members a pita wrapped in a yellow ribbon with a message from a released hostage. Hostage Nimrod Cohen's family confronted Minister Chikli.

A rare glimpse:

Purim in the Land of Israel, 100 years ago

Three photos shot on Purim in Tel Aviv in the mid-1920s provide a rare glimpse at how the residents of the land celebrated the joyous holiday.

Watch:

Yeshiva students celebrate Adar with wounded soldiers

Dozens of yeshiva students gathered in the rehabilitation department of Tel Hashomer Hospital for a celebratory Rosh Chodesh Adar prayer service with wounded IDF soldiers.

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu:

'Thank G-d for the elimination of the head of the snake'

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu says Israel must thank G-d for eliminating 'head of the snake' in Iran, but stresses that the joy is not in the elimination but in 'the removal of the threat to the nation of Israel.'

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Man detained for dangerous driving on Purim

A resident of Lod was detained for investigation after being filmed driving on Purim with five children in the trunk of his car while the trunk was open.

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?

Father of Jewish singer Yaakov Shwekey passed away

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

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.

The Yetzer Hara and Purim

“Brief” encounters can lead to devastation.

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.

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.

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.

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"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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?

A Purim Spiel

Dramatic announcement of the DOA.

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.'

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 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.

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!”

Wait until G-d calls you

Torah Mitzion for Shabbat Zachor and Purim.

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.

'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.

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.

Hundreds of Purim events focus on unity in wartime

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

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.

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.'

'Kitvuni' - short essays for Purim

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

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.

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.

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow:

Purim and PTSD

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

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.'

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?

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.

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.

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.

Purim on the Temple Mount:

Record number of Jewish visitors this year

Calm prevailed despite Arab threats of violence.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Purim / Venahafoch hu; when everything flips

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

Purim

Watch: Finance Minister Smotrich on the drums

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