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Midrash Esther Chapter II: V: The Original Federalist

“And when these days were completed the king made a feast for all the people who were present in Shushan for seven days.” Rav and Shmuel joined issue here. One said: it means seven days besides the hundred and eighty, whereas Shmuel said: it means...

Tags: Achashveirosh, Amalek, Bible, Esther, God & Israel, Isaiah, Midrash, Purim, The world to come

Midrash Esther Chapter II: II: Days of Tribulation

“Many days.” They were days of tribulation; and similarly we find, “And it came to pass in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died (Exodus 2:23).” Now were they really many days? No, only because they were days of tribulation,...

Tags: Achashveirosh, Amalek, Bible, Esther, Family Purity, Kings, Midrash, Purim, Shemot, Suffering, Tazria

Midrash Esther Chapter II: I: Spending His Spirit Part Two

The Midrash continues: From where did this wicked man obtain his wealth? Rabbi Tanchumah said: Nebuchadnezar, may he be crushed and exterminated, amassed all the money in the world, and he was very stingy with it. So when he felt his end approaching, he said to...

Tags: Achashveirosh, Amalek, Bible, Esther, Isaiah, Midrash, Purim

Adar Joy-The Joyous Song of Torah

Every branch of wisdom has its own singular song and melody, and that melody is reserved for that wisdom. And from the song is derived its wisdom. Even the wisdom of heresy has its own special song and melody.

Tags: Adar, Book of Esther, Esther, Holidays, Joy, Megilat Esther, Midrash, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Taking it With You-The Faith of Purim

My grandfather, the Baal Shem Tov said, on, “Blessed is the man who trusts in God, and whose security is God (Jeremiah 17:7),” that there is one who trusts, one who promises, and a cause which secures the fulfillment of the promise.

Tags: Aleinu, Daveing, iPray, Prayer, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Siddur, Tefillah, The Foundation Stone

Psalms of Moshe 92:3-Truth & Faith

The 7th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu. We are required to believe completely in Divine Providence, which is the source of everything even though the human intellect cannot comprehend it. Only after

Tags: Bible, Midrash, Moshe, Psalms, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, spirituality, Tehillim, The Foundation Stone, Tools for Growth

Shema-Tetzaveh-Measurement of Clothes

We say the Shema, “Hear O Israel, God is our Lord, God is a Unity (Deuteronomy 6:4).” When we pray and say in the Amidah, “The great God,” God clothes Himself with greatness. When we say, “The Mighty,” God clothes Himself

Tags: God, i-Love, i-Pray, Kavanah, Kavanot, Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Shema, Tetzaveh, The Foundation Stone

Biblical Personalities-Moses’ Light-For Us, Not Him

It is written, “And Moses did not know that there were beams of splendor on his face (Exodus 34:29).” It is important that we understand the Torah's intent in telling us that, “Moses did not know.” What purpose did this serve,

Tags: Bible, Biblical Personalities, commentaries, Midrash, Moshe, Parsha, Portion of the Week, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Morning Blessings-Tetzaveh & Moses-The Garments of Torah

The 7th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu. In many places in the Torah, we find the expression, “And God spoke to Moses to say.” The Torah existed before the world. Therefore, how is it possible for the Torah to contain

Tags: iThank, Morning Blessings, Moshe, Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Tetzaveh, The Foundation Stone

Spiritual Tools-Fast of Esther-Replacing Fasting

The disciples asked the Baal Shem Tov, “What is the main method of devotion to God? We know from our teachers that since ancient times, men of deed would fast from Shabbat to Shabbat. But you have done away with such fasts,

Tags: Avodas Hashem, Fast of Esther, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Religion, Service of God Notebooks, Serving God, So What!, Spiritual, The Foundation Stone, Tools for Growth

Amidah-Purim-In The Hands of Heaven-Praying for Others to Repent

Someone once asked Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz, “How can we pray for another person to repent? Are we not taught that “All is in the hand of Heaven except for the fear of Heaven (Berachot 33b) [A fundamental part of the Purim lesson]?”

Tags: Amidah, God, i-Attach, i-Pray, Prayer, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Repentance, Shmone Esrei, Tefillah, Teshuvah, The Foundation Stone

Prayer Skills-Adar Joy-Laughing In Success

Another principle through which a person can know if his prayers have been answered is this. If he is happy after praying, he will be answered. The opposite is true if he is depressed.

Tags: Kavanot, Machberes Avodas Hashem, Prayer, Praying with power, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Service of God Notebooks, So What!, The Foundation Stone

Prayer Skills-Tetzaveh-Praying Over My Clothes

Rabbi Nachman was once speaking to his disciples about clothing. He said that one must pray for everything. If your garment is torn and must be replaced, pray to God for a new one. Do this for everything.

Tags: Kavanot, Machberes Avodas Hashem, Prayer, Praying with power, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Service of God Notebooks, So What!, The Foundation Stone

Midrash Esther XIX-Who Were The Partemim?

“The Partemim.” Robbie Eliezer said: The Partemim are the two Imperial Legions of the King; for a king is not called Augustus Caesar unless they first proclaim him. And they, the legions, are the following: Rabbi Isaac said:

Tags: Book of Esther, Esther, Holidays, Megilat Esther, Midrash, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Midrash Esther XVII-Nine of Ten

“The Army of Persia and Medea.” In the name of Rabbi Nathan the following list of “10 Measures” was taught: (compare this to Kiddushin 49b)

Tags: Book of Esther, Esther, Holidays, Megilat Esther, Midrash, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Midrash Esther XIV-Sovereignty

Rabbi Aibu said: It is written, “For the kingdom is the Lords; and He is the ruler over the nations (Psalms 22:29),” and yet you say here that Achashveirosh sat, “on the throne of his kingdom?”

Tags: Book of Esther, Esther, Holidays, Megilat Esther, Midrash, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Midrash Esther I-Achashveirosh-Bitter Drink

“Now it came to pass in the days about how Achasveirosh.” Rabbi Joshua son of Karcha said: he was called Achashveirosh because he made the face of Israel black like the sides of a pot.

Tags: Book of Esther, Esther, Holidays, Megilat Esther, Midrash, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Midrash Esther II-‘Hu” Achashveirosh-Perfectly Consistent

“This is, 'Hu,' Achashveirosh.” Rabbi Judah and Rabbi Nehemiah explained differently. Once said: Achashveirosh who put his wife to death on account of his friend, this is the same Achashveirosh,' Hu,' who put

Tags: Book of Esther, Esther, Holidays, Megilat Esther, Midrash, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Midrash Esther X-From Field to Province

Rabbi Levi said: wherever you find the word “field” in Scripture, it implies a city; where ever you find “city” it implies a metropolis; where ever you find Metropolis it implies a province.

Tags: Book of Esther, Esther, Holidays, Megilat Esther, Midrash, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Midrash Esther XI-A Time of Woe

Rabbi Chelbo said: A time of wailing and woe were those days of the party. Rabbi Bibi said: The word “hahem” those, implies, 'Woe for those days,' as we read, “Wail you; Woe for the day (Ezekiel 30:1)” Rabbi Isaac

Tags: Book of Esther, Esther, Holidays, Megilat Esther, Midrash, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Midrash Esther XII-A Sense of Permanence

“When the King sat.” Rabbi Isaac said: The other nations have no permanent seat, they lack tranquility, prosperity, and security. They cited in objection the verse, “when the King Achashveirosh sat.” Rabbi Isaac replied:

Tags: Book of Esther, Esther, Holidays, Megilat Esther, Midrash, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Midrash Esther XIII-Solomon’s Throne-An Explanation

Solomon’s ivory throne was not the most elaborate in the world. Other Kings had far richer things made of ivory. Solomon’s throne was great in that it reminded the King that:

Tags: Book of Esther, Esther, Holidays, Megilat Esther, Midrash, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Midrash Esther XIII-Solomon’s Throne

“On the throne of his kingdom.” Rabbi Cohen said in the name of Rabbi Azaria: The word, “his kingdom,” is written defectively: he wanted to sit on the throne of Solomon, but was not permitted. They said to him: “No king

Tags: Book of Esther, Esther, Holidays, Megilat Esther, Midrash, Purim, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Midrash Esther Chapter II: Introduction

“A fool spends all his spirit (Proverbs 29:11).” This applies to Achashveirosh. “But a wise man stills it with in him,” this applies to God, Who calmed Achashveirosh In the same way as it says, “who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of...

Tags: Achashveirosh, Amalek, Bible, Daniel, Esther, Midrash, Mishlei, Proverbs, Psalms, Purim, Tehillim

Midrash Esther XVI: Don’t Spoil the Party

“He made a feast for all his princes and his servants.” Antoninus gave a feast for Rabbi Judah the Prince. Said Rabbi Judah to him: Cannot you afford a really bright lamp? Antoninus replied: why should I trouble about these? Rabbi Judah the Prince answered: perhaps...

Tags: Achashveirosh, Amalek, Bible, Daniel, Esther, Midrash, Purim

Midrash Esther XI: The Angels Complain

“That in those days.” This was one of the occasions on which the ministering angels lodged complaints before the Holy One, Blessed is He, saying: “Sovereign of the Universe, the Sanctuary is destroyed and this wretch sits and makes parties!” God answered them: “set Davies...

Tags: Achashveirosh, Amalek, Daniel, Esther, Midrash, Nechemiah, Purim, Shabbat, Suffering

Midrash Esther XVIII: Persia & Medea

Another comment on “The Army of Persia and Medea.” Sometimes the text of the Book of Esther mentions Persia before Medea, and sometimes, Medea before Persia. When the sovereignty was from Persia, Medea was secondary, and when the sovereignty was from Medea, Persia was secondary...

Tags: Achashveirosh, Amalek, Bible, Daniel, Esther, Micah, Midrash, Purim

Categories

Midrash Esther Chapter II: V: The Original Federalist

Midrash Esther Chapter II: II: Days of Tribulation

Midrash Esther Chapter II: I: Spending His Spirit Part Two

Adar Joy-The Joyous Song of Torah

Taking it With You-The Faith of Purim

Psalms of Moshe 92:3-Truth & Faith

Shema-Tetzaveh-Measurement of Clothes

Biblical Personalities-Moses’ Light-For Us, Not Him

Morning Blessings-Tetzaveh & Moses-The Garments of Torah

Spiritual Tools-Fast of Esther-Replacing Fasting

Amidah-Purim-In The Hands of Heaven-Praying for Others to Repent

Prayer Skills-Adar Joy-Laughing In Success

Prayer Skills-Tetzaveh-Praying Over My Clothes

Midrash Esther XIX-Who Were The Partemim?

Midrash Esther XVII-Nine of Ten

Midrash Esther XIV-Sovereignty

Midrash Esther I-Achashveirosh-Bitter Drink

Midrash Esther II-‘Hu” Achashveirosh-Perfectly Consistent

Midrash Esther X-From Field to Province

Midrash Esther XI-A Time of Woe

Midrash Esther XII-A Sense of Permanence

Midrash Esther XIII-Solomon’s Throne-An Explanation

Midrash Esther XIII-Solomon’s Throne

Midrash Esther Chapter II: Introduction

Midrash Esther XVI: Don’t Spoil the Party

Midrash Esther XI: The Angels Complain

Midrash Esther XVIII: Persia & Medea

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