the holiday of Purim

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7
votes
4answers
232 views

Can you use Liquor to fulfill Ad Dlo Yoda?

Can you use liquor instead of wine for the mitzvah of Ad Dlo Yoda? Is there any Posek who allows you to be yotzeh specifically with Liquor?
10
votes
4answers
226 views

Understanding the story of Rabba and Rav Zeira

The Gemarah (Megillah 7b)describes how Rabba and Rav Zeira celebrated Purim together. While intoxicated Rabba kills (slaughters) Rav Zeira. The next day he resurrects him. The next year Rabba invites ...
1
vote
2answers
128 views

Using Grape Juice for Ad dlo Yoda

Can one use Grape Juice for Ad dlo Yoda on Purim?
10
votes
1answer
280 views

Can Purim Torah be heretical?

How far can one go with Purim Torah? Can one descend into heresy, so long as it is known that one is not serious?
9
votes
3answers
273 views

Is cross-dressing permitted on Purim and if so why?

As part of dressing in costume on Purim is a person allowed to put on clothes normally worn by the opposite gender? If so, where does this heter come from in the face of the biblical prohibition ...
5
votes
4answers
196 views

If sleeping suffices for “ad d'lo yada”, why drink?

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 695:2) writes: One must become drunk on Purim until he doesn't know the difference between "arur Haman" and "baruch Mord'chay". The Rama (ad loc.) adds: But some say ...
3
votes
2answers
68 views

Masser for Machtzis Hashekel

Can you use Masser for Machtzis Hashekel?
3
votes
1answer
64 views

Masser for Matanos Levyonim

Can you use Masser for matanos l’evyonim?
3
votes
3answers
102 views

HamanTashen - 3 cornered cookies

Why are 3 cornered cookies called HamanTashen?
12
votes
3answers
344 views

Why aren't Purim and Channuka considered a violation of לֹא תֹסִפוּ?

It says in Devarim 4;2: לֹא תֹסִפוּ עַל הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם וְלֹא תִגְרְעוּ מִמֶּנּוּ לִשְׁמֹר אֶת מִצְוֹת יְ־הֹוָ־ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם ...
10
votes
1answer
144 views

Moshe's Mask and Purim?

Is there a connection between Purim masks and the mask Moshe begins wearing at the end of Parshat Ki Tisa? It seems too much of a coincidence that it's read near Purim for there to be none.
8
votes
4answers
113 views

Possessions on a tree where Hung

In Maoz Tzur we say: רֹב בָּנָיו וְקִנְיָנָיו עַל הָעֵץ תָּלִיתָ Did we really hang his (Haman's) possessions on a tree?
7
votes
7answers
616 views

Why do we honor Charvona, specifically?

The song we sing after reading the Megilla on Purim, "Shoshanat Yaakov," concludes with "and may Charvona also be remembered favorably." According to the Megilla (Esther 7:9), all Charvona did was, ...
6
votes
2answers
102 views

Walled cities for Purim other than Jerusalem

The holiday of Purim is unique in that some locations celebrate it on different days. The rule is: if the city was walled at the time of Joshua's conquest of the Land of Israel then they celebrate on ...
4
votes
1answer
67 views

Matanos L'evyonim to a non-Jew

I live in an area where b"H it is difficult to find Jewish poor. Can matanos l'evyonim be given to non-Jews, or must at least 2 of the poor people be Jewish?
4
votes
3answers
115 views

Nightime Seudah on Purim

Is there a requirement to have a meal on the night of Meggilah reading? If not, why is there a custom to eat one? Is one required to drink even at night?
4
votes
2answers
125 views

Meggilah Minyan

Does meggilah require a Minyan And why and how far must one go to get one?(there is a great story about the Gra with this one)
4
votes
2answers
248 views

Does a home megilla reading require separate seating (or a mechitza) between men and women?

Occasionally people hold additional megillah readings in someone's home on Purim. Assuming there's no prayers other than the megillah reading and its associated brachas, must/should there be a ...
3
votes
2answers
104 views

If Sarah's Death is a “Merit” for Cheshvan, Why Isn't Moshe's Death a “Merit” for Adar?

When I was young(er) I used to listen to to Toravision's Purim Story tape. (Yeah, I know, I'm dating myself.) It's a great tape, and the older I've gotten, the more it's amazed me how close the tape ...
3
votes
0answers
148 views

Is Cross dressing allowed on purim [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Is cross-dressing permitted on Purim and if so why? Normally cross dressing is against Halacha is it allowed on Purim?
3
votes
5answers
200 views

When Adar Begins we increase our Joy-משנכנס אדר מרבים בשמחה

משנכנס אדר מרבים בשמחה- When Adar Begins we increase our Joy (I know it is not in Shulchan Aruch or the Rambam) What is the practical application of it?
2
votes
1answer
155 views

How to survive Purim

It is probably a bit late for most of you, but living in Jerusalem I still have a few hours to go. The question: how do you survive a very busy Purim? Purim is a very interactive holiday and has a ...
2
votes
1answer
58 views

Where did Hamantashen come from?

When/where did the idea of Hamantashen come from? I have heard: Haman's hat Haman's Ears But neither of those make any sense...
2
votes
1answer
100 views

Pronunciation of Esther's cousin's name.

I have seen a couple of places where Mordechai’s name is spelled with a kamatz katan under the daled. Has anyone else seen this and do you know which is more accurate: Mordechai/ Mordachai/ Mordochai ...
2
votes
0answers
81 views

Why does a hamentash have three sides and filling? [closed]

All Hamentashen that I've seen have three sides and all Hamentashen have filling. Why is that?
2
votes
1answer
79 views

Non responsibility for Damages on Purim

Why is one not required to pay if one causes damage on Purim? Does it apply in all situations?
2
votes
1answer
441 views

Purim donation card sources

What are some organizations that produce "Money was donated for Matanot Le'evyonim in your honor in lieu of Mishloach Manot" cards, with national, international, or Israeli scope?
1
vote
3answers
144 views

Did Mordechai have children?

Megillas Esther ends by saying: וְדֹבֵר שָׁלוֹם לְכָל־זַרְעוֹ - and speaking peace to all his seed. I realize Rashi applies this to the previous clause, of all the nation, but perhaps there are ...