The Whole Megilla

15 Adar 5772
8-9 March 2012

The Purim story is traditionally read as yet another episode in the on-going battle with the Jewish People's great nemesis Amalek, a race or culture descended from Jacob's twin brother, Esav.

On the Shabbat before Purim we read a special Torah passage instructing us to remember Amalek, for his descendants will try to destroy us time and itme again.

The Talmud (ca. 500 CE) predicts that in the future Amalek will be found in a place called "Germamia", made up of 300 kingdoms. Beware should they unite, warns the Talmud, "for they will seek to destroy the entire world..."

Genesis 36:16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19; Talmud Megilla 6b



This More Info link takes you to the R. Shraga Simmons article on Haman and Amalek.

In Woman We Trust

November 21, 2011
21 Cheshvan, 5772

"The trust God places in women is greater than the trust God places in men." 

— Talmud Brachot 17a

Here is a class given this week by Rebbetzin Esther Baila Schwartz, on one of the greatest Jewish women ever.