Most of the holidays are mentioned for the first time in the Torah: the holiday of Pesach, the holiday of Matzot, the counting of the Omer, Shavuot, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Shmini Atzeret. This is not true with respect to Chanuka and Purim.
The Zohar associates Purim with Yom Kippur, two days that appear to be distinct opposites. In this shiur, we will analyze the connections between these two days, in particular the lots that appear both in the Megilla and in the laws of Yom Kippur.
A close look at the Megilla reveals that the nature and content of this new holiday appears to have evolved from one form of a Yom Tov to another. In this shiur, we will trace the evolution of Purim as a Yom Tov and attempt to understand the unique nature of Simchat Purim.
The most obvious question presented to us by the obligation to wipe out Amalek is the moral one. Why are we required to erase the entire Amalekite nation, regardless of their behavior; why does God Himself also "declare war" on them?
What exactly is the culture of Amalek, against which we are commanded to wage war? If we examine the sections in the Torah that speak about Amalek, we note certain recurring elements...
