Questions tagged [tractate-megillah]
Tractate of Mishna dealing with the laws of Purim and the synagogue
73
questions
8
votes
2answers
151 views
A question about King Ptolemy and his wife Arnevet
In connection with the production of the Septuagint at the request of King Ptolemy, the Talmud says:
And [in listing unclean animals], instead of writing “And the hare [אַרְנֶבֶת -- arnevet]”, [the ...
7
votes
2answers
103 views
Why would Esther point at Achashveirosh?
With the plan to topple Haman seemingly coming to fruition, the Gemara Megillah (16a) says the Esther was going to point at Achashveirosh as the anonymous enemy of her people.
ותאמר אסתר איש צר ואויב ...
2
votes
1answer
107 views
Why curse Mordechai?
The Gemara Megilla 7b writes
אָמַר רָבָא מִיחַיַּיב אִינִישׁ לְבַסּוֹמֵי בְּפוּרַיָּא עַד דְּלָא
יָדַע בֵּין אָרוּר הָמָן לְבָרוּךְ מָרְדֳּכַי - Rava said: A person is
obligated to become intoxicated ...
-1
votes
1answer
36 views
Mishna Megila 4:4 - how many pesukim can you read to a meturgeman?
The Mishna in Megila 4:4 say you can only read one Torah verse at a time to the translator, so he doesn't get confused.
לֹא יִקְרָא לַמְּתֻרְגְּמָן יוֹתֵר מִפָּסוּק אֶחָד, וּבַנָּבִיא שְׁלֹשָׁה.
...
0
votes
2answers
84 views
Was Mordechai the mashgiach at Achashverosh's party?
I have seen 2 sources (example) quote a Gemara on Megillah 12a saying that Mordechai was the Mashgiach or served at Achashverosh's mishteh (party). This was very shocking to me.
I have tried searching ...
2
votes
0answers
53 views
What is called a 'Building of Joy' nowadays?
Megillah 5b discusses things that Rebbe did. One of the things that Rebbe was seen doing was planting on Purim; the Gemara retorts that this is surely not allowed as planting is work, which is not ...
3
votes
1answer
103 views
The Rambam says that Baruch, the son of Nerijah was not a navi but the Gemara seems to imply the opposite, how is that possible?
The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim says "That those who have prepared themselves may still be prevented from being prophets, may be inferred from the history of Baruch, the son of Nerijah; for he followed ...
3
votes
2answers
183 views
Explanation of gemara Megilla 26b
The gemara Megilla 26b quotes Rava that when you sell a synagogue (even not in front of the 7 city trustees) the kedusha transfers onto the money and the buyer is free to use the former shul however ...
4
votes
1answer
114 views
Why do we need to know that Bigsan and Seresh are Tarsians?
The Gemara in Megillah 13b says that Bigsan and Seresh were two Tarsians:
אמר רבי יוחנן בגתן ותרש שני טרסיים הוו והיו מספרין בלשון טורסי
R' Yochanan said: Bigsan and Seresh were two Tarsians, ...
5
votes
1answer
105 views
What was the old Yerushalmi Torah reading practice on Shabbat Rosh Hodesh?
In the old Yerushalmi Torah reading tradition (the triennial cycle), when special days fell on Shabbat, the regular Shabbat reading was interrupted: the Shabbat morning reading consists only of the ...
4
votes
0answers
43 views
Why does Rav Pappa not adjoin the bracha conclusions with a vav by Megillah?
I count four times where Rav Pappa notes differing opinions on how to conclude a bracha and rules to say both of them. In three of these cases, he uses a conjunctive ו to connect them, but not the ...
6
votes
2answers
101 views
Why doesn't the Talmud consider the possibility that the later court was greater in wisdom and number?
In discussing the source that Megillat Esther may be read on the 11th, 12th, or 13th of Adar in addition to the 14th and 15th of Adar, the Talmud (Megillah 2a) has the following exchange:
What we
...
1
vote
2answers
144 views
Understanding the teaching of a person who says “I have labored in Torah study and haven't found success- don't believe him”
Megillah 6b states:
ואמר ר' יצחק אם יאמר לך אדם יגעתי ולא מצאתי אל תאמן לא יגעתי ומצאתי אל תאמן יגעתי ומצאתי תאמן הני מילי בדברי תורה אבל במשא ומתן סייעתא
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: If a person says to you &...
-1
votes
1answer
58 views
Understanding Rashi's opinion regarding who said the book of Devarim
The Gemara (Megilla 31b) says: "[In reading] the curses that are in Deuteronomy one may pause [it may be broken up into several aliyot]. Why? Those [that are in Leviticus, which must be read in one ...
6
votes
1answer
122 views
What is meant by “congregational honor” regarding disallowing women reading the Torah publically?
The Talmud Bavli (Megillah 23a) says that while, if a woman read from the Torah it counts towards the required 7 aliyot, the chachamim disallowed it because of kavod hatzibbur - the respect for the ...
2
votes
0answers
28 views
Why is שהחיינו called “ז” in P'sachim but “ח” in M'gila?
Why is the "שהחיינו" blessing abbreviated "ז" in Bavli P'sachim 103 but "ח" in Bavli M'gila 21? I'd expect some consistency. And it's not like "ז" makes more sense, or "ח" less sense, in P'sachim than ...
2
votes
1answer
58 views
How old were the Sages in Megillah 27b-28a?
The Gemara, starting in Megillah 27b, starts describing various situations where different sages were asked how they merited to reach a long life. Presumably, this was because, at the time they were ...
1
vote
1answer
97 views
Why does Tanach specifically describe these women as “beautiful”?
Companion question to Why does Tanac"h specifically describe these males as "beautiul"?
Off the top of my head, the pesukim describe the following women as being beautiful:
Sarah (...
2
votes
0answers
125 views
Were the ten sons of Haman specifically Zeresh's sons?
Megillah 15b records three opinions as to how many children Haman had:
Rava: Ten died in childhood, ten died at the end of the Megillah, and ten were reduced to poverty, totaling 30.
Rabbanan: There ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Ashkenazi shat”z?
In meseches Megillah (daf 24b):
אמר רב אסי חיפני (ובשיני) לא ישא את כפיו תניא נמי הכי אין מורידין לפני התיבה לא אנשי בית שאן ולא אנשי בית חיפה ולא אנשי טבעונין מפני שקורין לאלפין עיינין ולעיינין ...
2
votes
2answers
114 views
What country is Tarsia / טרסי?
In Bavli Megilla 13b, we are told that Bigtan and Teresh were two טרסיים, translated by R. Steinsaltz as Tarsians. We are told that they spoke in the Tarsian language.
In what modern country or ...
5
votes
0answers
45 views
We need ten consolers; why not ten mourners?
The mishna, M'gila 23 amud 2 as described by Rashi, says we don't say the mourners' outdoor blessing without the presence of ten people, and the mourners themselves don't count toward the requisite ...
5
votes
2answers
213 views
How did Haman know Moshe Rabeinu's Yahrzeit but not his Birthday?
I remember learning some years ago in Gemarah Megillah 13: that when Haman drew lots he was happy it landed in Adar since it is the month that Moshe Rabeinu died. However, he didn't know that Moshe ...
1
vote
0answers
43 views
Adding to Torah reading?
In meseches megillah (22A) sefaria translation:
מיתיבי פרשה של ששה פסוקים קורין אותה בשנים ושל חמשה פסוקים ביחיד קרא ראשון שלשה השני קורא שנים מפרשה זו ואחד מפרשה אחרת ויש אומרים שלשה לפי שאין ...
5
votes
1answer
49 views
Missing line in Tractate Megillah
At Sefaria there is a kind of commentary on Talmud called ‘Daf Shevui’. Commenting on Meg. 15b the author writes:
The Attribute of Justice argues before God—why do you give this reward to righteous ...
1
vote
1answer
274 views
Do any Rishonim or Achronim view Rava’s opinion of Mordechai as a negative one?
Recently I was browsing some source sheets on Sefaria regarding Purim, and I stumbled upon this sheet, which, based on various comments of Rava’s throughout Shas, argues that, in Rava’s opinion, ...
1
vote
2answers
80 views
How to understand this Tosfos in Megila 5b
This is a Tosfos from Megilah 5b which is talking about lessening the different type of work(s) of simcha on Purim. However, I'm a bit troubled on understanding the last 6 words. What does Tosfos mean?...
1
vote
0answers
40 views
Why mention Achashverosh's pillars?
The Bavli spends several pages (M'gila 10–16) going through parts of the book of Esther with aggadic commentary.
Esther 1:6 describes a party:
חוּר כַּרְפַּס וּתְכֵלֶת אָחוּז בְּחַבְלֵי בוּץ ...
5
votes
3answers
187 views
Why did Rebbe want to get rid of Tishah b’Av Nidcheh?
Megillah 5a-b:
אמר רבי אלעזר אמר רבי חנינא רבי נטע נטיעה בפורים ורחץ בקרונה של צפורי בשבעה עשר בתמוז ובקש לעקור תשעה באב ולא הודו לו אמר לפניו רבי אבא בר זבדא רבי לא כך היה מעשה אלא תשעה באב שחל ...
4
votes
2answers
156 views
Please help explain 1st Tosfot on Megillah 22a
In viewing Gemarah Megillah 22א, there is a rule that each person receiving a Torah aliyah must have at least 3 verses remaining in the parsha (paragraph) as well as starting with a minimum of 3 ...
3
votes
0answers
88 views
Who organized the Haftarot and when?
If I'm not mistaken, Masechet Megillah mentions a few haftarot, I think, mainly for Yom Tov. I don't recall much mentioned about the weekly Shabbat haftarot.
In most Chumashim, I noticed that there ...
3
votes
1answer
85 views
Proof of Divine Inspiration in Megillas Esther
The Talmud (Megillah 7a) tries to prove that Megillas Esther was composed with Divine Inspiration:
It has been taught: R. Eleazar said: Esther was composed under the
inspiration of the holy ...
4
votes
1answer
126 views
What are the parameters of “one should not return a ruinous report”?
The gemarah in Megillah (15a) states:
“And they told Esther’s words to Mordecai” (Esther 4:12), but he, Hathach himself, did not go to tell him directly. The Gemara explains: From here we see that ...
0
votes
0answers
92 views
How and why celebrate Purim according to Rabi shimon bar Yochai?
In the famous give and take discussing the miracle of Purim found in Maseches Megilah 12a, quoted below with Sefaria's translation, Rabi Shimon bar Yochai tells his studets that the danger the Jews ...
5
votes
2answers
143 views
Haman decreeing against circumcision
The gemara implies that after the Jews were victorious they restarted the mitzvah of circumcision which Haman decreed against. Are there any other source-based indications that Haman had made such ...
3
votes
1answer
193 views
Why didn't Mordechai bow?
Tosfos in AZ 3a (DH Shelo Histachavu L'Tzelem) brings several proofs that Nevuchadnetzar's statue could not have been Avodah Zarah, and bowing to it would have been considered merely showing honor:
...
1
vote
0answers
71 views
Who fasted with Ester?
The Bavli, M'gila, says that the seven servants that Ester had while in Hegay's harem were שהיתה מונה בהן ימי שבת, used by Ester to count the days of the week. Rashi explains שהיתה משרתת לה אחת באחד ...
2
votes
1answer
124 views
What's so bad about looking into the face of a wicked person?
In tractate megila of the Babylonian talmud the sages say that it is forbidden to look into the face of a wicked person. What is the reason for this prohibition?
3
votes
1answer
121 views
When reading the megillah why do we pasken like Rebbi Meir?
In Megillah 19a there is an argument as to how much of the actual text of the megillah one needs to read in order to fulfill the obligation. Rebbi Meir says you need to read the whole things and the ...
2
votes
1answer
63 views
Talmud Megilla 21a seems to have the reasoning reversed
Talmud Megilla 21a discusses two conflicting verses about how Moses acted when on Mt. Sinai. The verses are (the full verses are in the margin of the linked Talmud page, mentioned above):
Devarim 9:9 ...
3
votes
1answer
191 views
Can a deaf person read the Torah or the Megillah on Purim?
As a hearing impaired individual that can often be classified as deaf, I face discrimination on a daily basis. Not so much in my Jewish community, but out in the world.
As I was reading the Mishnah, ...
-1
votes
1answer
78 views
Megillah 4.6 — Why can't the blind recite the Shema with their benedictions (according to R. Judah)?
In Megillah 4.6, R. Judah says: "He that has never seen the light may not recite the Shema' with its Benedictions."
I interpret "has never seen the light" as "blind" (rather than lacking inspiration ...
1
vote
0answers
39 views
Parshat Shmini Building of the Mishkan “Vayehi” linked to “Vayehi” in Bereshit, is it linked to 7 days of creation?
Leviticus Chapter 9
א וַיְהִי, בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי, קָרָא מֹשֶׁה, לְאַהֲרֹן וּלְבָנָיו--וּלְזִקְנֵי, יִשְׂרָאֵל. 1 And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and ...
0
votes
1answer
241 views
Difference between touching a naked Torah vs. a naked Megillah
Megillah 32a:
Megillah 32a:38-44:
כל האוחז ספר תורה ערום נקבר ערום ערום סלקא דעתך אלא אימא נקבר ערום בלא
מצות בלא מצות סלקא דעתך אלא אמר אביי נקבר ערום בלא אותה מצוה
Whoever takes hold of a ...
2
votes
2answers
304 views
How did Esther reveal to Achashveroch that Mordechai is her husband
Avrohom ordered Sarah to say that she is his sister (he was afraid that Egyptian kill him). How was Esther not afraid that Achashverosh kills Mordechai? (Esther 8, 1[1])
She was the wife of ...
3
votes
0answers
83 views
Difference between the words מיחייב and חייב
Rava in masheches megillah 7b famously said that one is obligated to drink until he cannot differentiate between Haman and Mordechai. My question is: Rava used the loshon of מיחייב instead of חייב. ...
4
votes
1answer
770 views
Haman's daughter's name
Masechet Megilah says that Haman's daughter threw the garbage on him. Does the gemoro mention her name anywhere?
I looked in Gemora Megilla 16a where the story is but it does not mention a name. Does ...
0
votes
1answer
83 views
Trying to understand Mishnah Megilla 1:4
Mishnah Megillah 1:4 states:
קראו את המגילה באדר הראשון ונתעברה השנה, קורין אותה באדר השני. אין בין
אדר הראשון לאדר השני אלא קריאת המגילה ומתנות לאביונים .
If the Megillah was read in first ...
4
votes
1answer
138 views
Why is there no exchanging of food gifts during Purim Katan?
Purim Katan ("little Purim") occurs on the 14th and 15th of Adar I, which is only during leap years, such as the current year.
Mishnah Megillah 1:4 says:
קראו את המגילה באדר הראשון ונתעברה השנה, ...
7
votes
3answers
348 views
Why Italia of Yavan?
The gemara in Megila 6b refers to איטליא של יון זה כרך גדול של רומי, which translates literally as: Italy of Greece, this is the great city of Rome.
This seems odd insofar as I know, Italy never ...
