
The Masks that We Wear
Feb 26, 2021 By Ofra Backenroth | Commentary | Tetzavveh | Purim
Growing up in Israel, Purim was a wonderful experience, full of fun and games. Dressing up, putting on masks, going to parties, and attending the Purim Parade in Tel Aviv—the Adloyada. This name is derived from a rabbinic saying in the Talmud that one should revel on Purim by drinking “until one no longer knows [how to distinguish between ‘cursed is Haman’ and ‘blessed is Mordecai’]” (BT Megillah 7b). Attending the parade was great fun, but also had a mysterious aspect. Who are the people hiding behind the masks? What are they concealing and what are they trying to reveal? It was all very colorful and happy but, in equal measure, scary and confusing.
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Purim Resources
Feb 27, 2019 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Collected Resources | Purim | Shabbat Zakhor
A curated listing of Purim and Shabbat Zakhor resources on JTS Torah Online
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Cantillation for Megillat Esther
Oct 22, 2018 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Prayer Recordings | Purim
Recordings by Cantor Sarah Levine (CS ’17). Cantillation for Megillat Esther – Trop Symbols
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The Performance of Memory
Mar 10, 2017 By Avinoam Patt | Commentary | Purim | Shabbat Zakhor
On the Shabbat before Purim the maftir Torah reading includes the following verses:
Remember what Amalek did to you by the way, when you came forth out of Egypt … you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget it. (Deut. 25:17-19)
Because of this reading it is called Shabbat Zakhor (Remember). The verses recited in Deuteronomy are in effect already a remembering of what Amalek did shortly after the flight from Egypt.
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Purim: The Triumph of Understanding Over Hatred
Feb 12, 2013 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Podcast or Radio Program | Purim
Taken from the archives of “The Eternal Light” radio program, this 1954 commentary on Purim is delivered by Murray Bellow, a noted civic leader of the time.
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Little Purim
Feb 12, 2013 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Podcast or Radio Program | Purim
A 1951 episode of “The Eternal Light” radio program about a boy and his violin on Purim.
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Memory: Judaism’s Lifeblood
Mar 2, 1996 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Purim
My father died 14 years ago. This week I will observe his Yahrzeit once again.
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